Exosystem
Built Robotics · Earthmoving · Shipping since 2021
Last updated: 2026-04
Summary
The Exosystem is a retrofit autonomy kit that installs on the tail of a standard mid-size excavator, converting it to supervised autonomous trenching for solar farm electrical infrastructure. It handles survey, excavation, and grade checking without an operator in the cab; a Robotic Equipment Operator (REO) supervises multiple machines remotely from a nearby trailer. One REO running multiple excavators simultaneously delivers a 45% productivity gain over single-operator trenching, as reported by ENR on Bechtel solar projects. The Exosystem has been shipping since 2021, with production deployments across utility-scale solar and energy pipeline projects in the US and Australia.
How it works on your site
Trenching (Utility Excavation)
The Exosystem follows pre-loaded GPS trench lines without physical stakes, executing the dig-and-grade cycle autonomously while the REO monitors from a trailer. The excavator handles survey, excavation, and in-trench grade checking as a continuous workflow; manual operation is preserved and the kit is fully reversible. Compatible with Caterpillar, Komatsu, Hitachi, John Deere, and Volvo mid-size excavators.
How it worked on other sites
Bechtel, Solar projects (Texas and Louisiana)
- 45% productivity gain over single-operator trenching on solar electrical infrastructure.
- 93% machine uptime reported during autonomous operations.
Blattner (Quanta Services), Multiple solar projects
- 3-year contract for dozens of robots announced September 2025; already deployed on 5 prior projects.
- Scope covers pile driving, surveying, material handling, drilling, and trenching across Sun Belt states.
MPC Kinetic, Pipeline trenching (Australia)
- Ongoing production deployment since 2020, following a late-2019 trial.
- Pipeline trenching in the Surat Basin, Queensland.
