Skidders on Autopilot
December 6, 2024
by Kodama Systems
featured in December 2024 Southern Loggin’ Times
Article published at Issuu.com.
Kodama Systems was founded in 2021 by two engineers, Merritt Jenkins and Matt Verminski. Jenkins and Verminski were drawn to logging because they cared about active forest management. After founding Kodama, they spent 9 months visiting loggers to better understand the industry. After meeting with dozens of industry professionals, they concluded that remote controlled machinery had the potential to attract a broader workforce, reduce operating costs, and increase production. “With Autopilot, we want to enable logging businesses to increase productivity, lower harvest costs, and give machine operators the flexibility to work remotely. Autopilot lets you control machines from hundreds of miles away.” says Merritt Jenkins, CEO of Kodama Systems.
Kodama first integrated Autopilot onto a 2012 CAT 525C skidder, testing and refining the system on the steep, rocky slopes of the Stanislaus National Forest for two operating seasons. As the Kodama team iterated on this prototype system, they learned that integration on a modern skidder would accelerate product development. They connected with Weiler Forestry about collaborating.
In partnership with Weiler Forestry, Kodama publicly demonstrated Autopilot at the American Logger Council meeting in Sonora, CA, this past October. Since then, the company has been remotely operating a 2024 Weiler S340 skidder on a salvage logging operation at the site of the Park Fire, the largest wildfire in California this year. The S340 is considered a versatile, mid-size skidder, well-suited for variable terrain. Pat Weiler, owner and founder of Weiler Forestry, had this to say: “We’re excited to see Kodama’s Autopilot technology integrated with our S340 skidder. This collaboration represents a meaningful step forward in leveraging technology to enhance safety and efficiency in the forestry industry.”
Kodama is addressing critical challenges in the logging industry. One of the most pressing issues is workforce availability. With Autopilot, operators can run their machines from an office or home, improving quality-of-life and enabling business owners to access a wider pool of prospective machine operators. Additionally, removing machine operators from worksites reduces workers’ compensation costs and helps lower overall harvest costs. Machines can be run during hours previously lost to commuting, and machine uptime can be maximized with extended or double shifts. Autopilot offers a backup option if someone calls out sick or needs to stay home to care for a family member.
Kodama Autopilot consists of an after-market computer system and suite of sensors integrated into the machine. This hardware enables operators to control the skidder over satellite internet through a secure computer interface – similar to a videogame. Operators have full control of the machine, including key features like locking differential and auto-tongue. Camera views automatically adjust on the computer screen when the direction of machine travel changes, and throttle control is managed using the controller’s trigger buttons. Two joysticks allow the operator to control the skidders’ steering while also using the boom and blade. There are also buttons on the interface to track production metrics.
A view of the Autopilot interface, updated version from the original publication.
All of this is made possible by a combination of cameras, sensors, and wireless communication technology. These send live data from the skidder to the operator in real-time. The operator can see the trail, tires, grapple, and blade through high-definition video feeds. They can also hear the machine through an external microphone. The system is supported by satellite internet, which streams everything to the operator anywhere in the world.
Importantly, the skidder has a toggle switch in its cab that enables a manual operator to take over control at any time. “We understand that certain skidder movements are best performed with an operator in the cab, such as driving onto a lowbed or crossing a stream. Our goal is to enable remote control of 98% of operations on the site, and the remaining 2% can be handled by the on-the-ground crew” says Jenkins. Daily refueling and greasing is also to be performed by the on-the-ground crew.
Despite its advantages, Autopilot has some areas of additional development. Kodama is actively working on how to replicate the “butt feel” operators experience when driving in a cab, adapting it for remote operation. This added feedback from sensors and other machine data will help operators drive more safely and efficiently on job sites. Remote operators may also experience a “re-learning” curve when using Autopilot, however, Kodama has seen experienced operators pick up teleoperation with ease.
Since the start, Kodama has grown to a team of 15, comprised of engineers, logging advisors, and field personnel that support the machine deployed on projects. Kodama is currently running Autopilot on the Park Fire burn scar in Lassen National Forest, California. The company is skidding logs alongside other machines on the project site. Other operators have noted it’s strange seeing a machine driving with no operator in the cab but that they are interested to see how the technology works out. Kodama plans to expand its operation to the southeastern U.S in 2025 to offer skidding-as-a-service for loggers.
Kodama’s team will work with prospective customers to assess their needs and discuss how skidding-as-a-service will integrate into their existing operation. Kodama will provide its own Weiler S340 teleoperated skidder, a trained remote skidder operator, and field support. Anyone interested can call or email the Kodama team to learn more about what a pilot looks like for their operation.