The Raufoss project stands as another milestone in developing safe, flexible, and efficient remote-control solutions for the construction and defense sectors—proving that critical operations can be completed with zero exposure risk for on-site personnel.
Anlegg Øst Entreprenør AS recently completed a remote-controlled excavator project at Raufoss Industrial Park, where clearing operations were conducted in an area known for historic munitions testing. The site, once part of the former Raufoss Ammunition Factory, was carefully cleared of potential unexploded ordnance (UXO). To ensure maximum safety, the work was carried out using a remote-controlled Cat 325 excavator, operated from a secure location several hundred meters away. Real-time video streaming enabled seamless, delay-free operation over long distances.
The remote control system was delivered by Steer AS, whose technology enabled safe and precise machine operations from afar. Preparing the excavator for remote operation took approximately 2 days, and the system remained fully reversible—allowing the machine to switch easily between remote and manual control.
Behind the controls sat 25-year-old Peder Grindflek, a machine operator with Anlegg Øst. He described the experience as unique but positive:
“Operating a remote-controlled excavator is quite different from our everyday work, but with a few years of experience in machine operation and previous remote control projects, the results and productivity ended up nearly the same,” said Grindflek.
He noted that the biggest difference lay in the lack of physical feedback and reduced depth perception—factors that took some getting used to but quickly became manageable with practice.
“Watching the machine work without anyone in the cab is impressive every time, even though I’ve seen it before,” he added.
The excavator was equipped to handle a full range of tools, from standard buckets to rototilts with clamps and shears for vegetation clearing—all operated remotely from a safe location.
The project advanced successfully. In close collaboration with the Norwegian Armed Forces, the remote-controlled excavator proved both effective and safe. Before EOD personnel entered the area, large volumes of soil were screened using a strong magnet mounted on the excavator. This enabled the safe remote detection and relocation of potential UXOs before further inspection.
“Using a remote-controlled excavator significantly reduced the risk of injury while also providing a much more efficient process than manual clearing would have allowed,” said Monica Engejordet, HSE and Environmental Manager at Raufoss Industrial Park.
Steer AS brought extensive experience to the project, having logged thousands of remote-operation hours during the long-term decommissioning of the Hjerkinn military training ground. That work helped refine the system into one of the most advanced and reliable remote solutions on the market. Today, Steer’s system can be adapted to nearly any modern machine, enabling remote control in a wide range of use cases.
Remote operation from several hundred meters away
Site cleared of potential unexploded ordnance (UXO)
Excavator equipped with magnetic detection tools
