SANY Group has rolled out its 1,000th electric excavator, marking a key milestone in the construction equipment industry’s shift towards electrification and intelligent machinery. The company has also commercially deployed its 5G remote-controlled excavators, introduced an unmanned paving-roller fleet, and operationalised integrated smart solutions for ports and mines.

With annual R&D spending exceeding RMB 6 billion, SANY is accelerating its transition from a traditional manufacturer to a robotics-focused, AI-enabled company. The company said equipment upgrades are no longer limited to replacing conventional power sources, but are aimed at combining electrification with intelligence to improve efficiency, reduce emissions and lower operating costs.

SANY’s SY550HD 5G remote-controlled excavator has been developed after nearly a decade of R&D to address safety and operational challenges in hazardous construction and mining environments. The machine offers stable end-to-end latency of 120–140 ms using 5G and AI algorithms, enabling real-time control from distances of up to 8,500 km.

The excavator also uses proprietary 3D motion and depth-sensing technologies, along with an intelligent loading assist system, to provide high-precision remote operation. Multi-dimensional sensors and AI algorithms support personnel detection, collision avoidance, equipment health monitoring and task adaptation.

SANY plans to further increase R&D investment in electric powertrain components, AI-assisted operations, unmanned construction, digital platforms and integrated mining equipment as it expands large-scale commercial deployment.