Xwatch and Leica Geosystems

The Leica iCON PA80 safety awareness solution is integrated with XWatch XW 4 & 5 series safety systems

(Heerbrugg, Switzerland, 15^th December 2021) Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, today announced an integration partnership with Xwatch Safety Solutions Ltd, a UK based manufacturer for safety solutions, to transform jobsite safety by interconnecting excavator height control and slew control with Leica Geosystems 2D and 3D machine control and safety awareness solutions.

Heavy construction consistently ranks in the top three industries worldwide for serious injuries and fatalities. Whether you're operating heavy equipment or working around the machinery, keeping everyone alert on the jobsite helps to eliminate accidents. Addressing these risks and helping prevent incidents on construction sites, constituted the primary motivation behind the integration of the Leica iCON safety awareness solution portfolio with the Xwatch XW series of safety systems.

Xwatch brings years of experience to solve problems using a fresh new attitude. With their XW series, Xwatch revolutionises the safety market, with height control, slew control and rated capacity indication (RCI). The Xwatch safety systems monitor machine height and slew movement and are designed to accurately restrict movement using ‘feather touch’ proportional hydraulic control. An operator can limit the excavator’s height and side boundaries thereby defining a working zone to increase safety around the machine. The Xwatch product range offers a cost-effective solution with products based on the latest hardware technology within the automation sector.

“We are delighted with this partnership between Leica Geosystems and Xwatch Safety Solutions. The integration of our XW series directly into Leica Geosystems MC1 ecosystem is a global first and a true revolution in safety," says Dan Leaney, Director of Sales and Operation for Xwatch Safety Solutions Ltd.

“Through the integration of our Leica PA80 with Xwatch XW series we aim to provide solutions that protect assets and infrastructure but most importantly allow people to always see their families after a hard day’s work,” concludes Brad Mullis, Product Manager for Safety Awareness Solutions at Leica Geosystems.

The integration of the Leica iCON PA80 and Xwatch XW series help protect people, assets and infrastructure on a jobsite.

Connected safety on your jobsite: integrating the Leica iCON PA80 and Xwatch XW series
As announced earlier, users of the popular Leica MC1 machine control platform can already leverage their investments by running the new safety awareness solution, the Leica iCON PA80, directly on their existing machine control system. The solution integrates safety awareness into the machine control platform and automatically alerts operators on the screen of the same device they use for ongoing machine operations. The safety awareness solution can be used for dozers, excavators or any other heavy equipment using the Leica MC1 machine control system.

“With the integration of Xwatch into Leica MC1, we are now not only able to alert the operator but are able to proportionally slow down and stop a machine when a wearable device is detected in a configurable zone,” explains Mullis. “In addition, by leveraging Leica ConX cloud solution, comprehensive logs can be downloaded and distributed for analytics within contractors’ existing management processes.”

“The Leica PA80 personal alert solution has been integrated into the Xwatch controller. This takes safety to a whole new level. The wearable device worn by the field personnel can link with all machines on site creating greater awareness and a much safer working environment. Our aim at Xwatch is to evolve safety solutions for the heavy construction industry," concludes Leaney.

Contractors already use both technologies, for which the partnership will provide additional synergies. “We are particularly proud that we were the first plant hire company in the UK to use the Leica Geosystem fitted semi-automatic excavator,” says Plantforce digital manager, Dale Hawkins. ”At Plantforce we pride ourselves as being innovators in our field, providing the very latest machine technology to our customers, and Xwatch falls into this category. This combined safety solution with a reliable, easy-to-use system and an excellent after-sales service is why we have the confidence in Xwatch and Leica Geosystems products to enhance our commitment to safety,” concludes Hawkins.

Learn more about Leica Geosystems’ safety awareness solutions here: https://leica-geosystems.com/products/machine-control-systems/awareness-solutions

Learn more about Xwatch safety systems here: https://www.xwatch.co.uk/

Xwatch Safety Solutions
Xwatch. Started in early 2019 when a group of highly talented and experienced people came together from a variety of roles within the industry, the teams have over 140 years of combined knowledge in the development and creation of safety and machine control products and they are global leaders in safety.

At the core of Xwatch’s success is the XW series of products – height control, slew control, Rci’s (rated capacity indicators) and stability. Xwatch products are designed to be installed in half the time of a traditional RCI systems and most importantly, operator friendly, The XW systems feature fully adjustable proportional hydraulic control.

The full range of XW systems are all designed and manufactured in the UK using only the highest quality components sourced from leading technology manufacturers. The systems have undergone the most rigorous of testing scenarios before being launched to ensure they meet and exceed any current legislation both within the construction industry and the rail industry where Xwatch are the only Network Rail approved off track safety systems supplier to be able to work up to the edge of the sleepers.

Visit https://www.xwatch.co.uk/ for further information.

Contact:
Xwatch Safety Solutions
Dan Leaney
Director of Sales and Operations
Mobile +44 (0)7508 867337
Office +44 (0)1633 987344
Dan@xwatch.co.uk
http://www.xwatch.co.uk/

Leica Geosystems – when it has to be right
Revolutionising the world of measurement and survey for 200 years, Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, creates complete solutions for professionals across the planet. Known for premium products and innovative solution development, professionals in a diverse mix of industries, such as aerospace and defence, safety and security, construction, and manufacturing, trust Leica Geosystems for all their geospatial needs. With precise and accurate instruments, sophisticated software, and trusted services, Leica Geosystems delivers value every day to those shaping the future of our world.

Hexagon
Hexagon is a global leader in digital reality solutions, combining sensor, software and autonomous technologies. We are putting data to work to boost efficiency, productivity, quality and safety across industrial, manufacturing, infrastructure, public sector, and mobility applications.

Our technologies are shaping production and people-related ecosystems to become increasingly connected and autonomous – ensuring a scalable, sustainable future.

Hexagon’s Geosystems division provides a comprehensive portfolio of digital solutions that capture, measure, and visualise the physical world and enable data-driven transformation across industry ecosystems.

Hexagon (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B) has approximately 24,500 employees in 50 countries and net sales of approximately 5.4bn EUR. Learn more at hexagon.com and follow us @HexagonAB.

Contact:
Leica Geosystems AG
part of Hexagon
Reka Vasszi
E-Mail: reka.vasszi@hexagon.com
leica-geosystems.com