How Komatsu Leveraged RAM® Mounts for Onboard 3D Machine Guidance

Onboard IntelliSkin®-wrapped Samsung tablets enabled Komatsu’s Smart Construction 3D Machine Guidance system to give operators enhanced control of excavators on the jobsite.

The Challenge

Komatsu’s Smart Construction 3D Machine Guidance system delivers precision excavation through real-time GNSS tracking and sensor feedback. To make this technology usable in rugged field environments, operators needed a durable, vehicle-integrated tablet mounting solution that could:

• Securely hold an Android-based tablet in excavators of all sizes with limited space.
• Maintain visibility and stability in high-vibration environments while the machine operates.
• Allow easy tablet access for creating or viewing 3D site designs and payload data directly from the cab.
• Provide continuous power and data connection to support the Smart Construction 3D application during long shifts in the field.

The Solution

RAM® Mounts supplied IntelliSkin® and GDS® Tough-Dock™ system paired with a Samsung Galaxy Tab Active4 Pro, mounted using a RAM® Tough-Mag™ 48mm 4-point heavy-duty magnetic base.

• The GDS® Tough-Dock™ provided the durability to the tablet and enabled seamless charging and data sync through rugged pogo pin contacts, keeping the tablet powered during operation.
• The Tab Active4 Pro, running the Smart Construction 3D app, gave operators a reliable display for GNSS positioning, bucket tip accuracy, payload measurement, and 3D design visualization.
• The 4-point magnetic base ensured a secure, vibration-resistant hold to metal cab surfaces, yet allowed for flexible repositioning across different excavator models.
• The mount’s ergonomic positioning improved visibility and reduced operator fatigue, ensuring precise control when digging to digital design specifications.

Image of a Komatsu excavator digging a trench. Image of the IntelliSkin® solution on the RAM® 4-Point Magnetic base, in-cab.

The Results

The integration of RAM® mounting hardware transformed the Smart Construction 3D system into a fully ruggedized, field-ready solution, providing:

Stable performance: The tablet remained locked in place during continuous vibration, maintaining a clear, readable display for operators.

Reliable connectivity: Continuous power and data through the IntelliSkin® and the GDS® Tough-Dock™ ensured uninterrupted GNSS tracking and payload monitoring.

Improved efficiency: Operators could dig to a precise plan with confidence, reducing instances of reworking, and capture topography data directly from the cab.

Flexible deployment: The magnetic mount design made it simple to install the system across a mixed fleet of excavators, supporting both new and legacy equipment.

With RAM® Mounts as part of the Smart Construction 3D hardware ecosystem, Komatsu gained a robust, user-friendly platform that bridges digital precision and on-site durability. This drove accuracy, productivity, and operator confidence across the job site.

Download Full Case Study