40
ACT
DECEMBER2014
TECHNOLOGYREPORT
CRANE CAMERAS
solutions and cameras to the construction
industrywhen theywere asked if they
couldput cameras on a crane.
Beginningwith the trolley, theyworked
closelywith the engineers atMorrow
EquipmentCompany throughout the
development process.One of their
engineers asked them if they couldput a
cameraon thehookof a crane anddeliver
a signal to the operator.
“We spent hundreds of hourswith
operators and engineers,” saidEmily
Hayne, sales andmarketingmanager,
HookCam. “We interviewed tower
crane operators to assess the space
requirements, power and ergonomics,
and consulted computer engineers to
develop aproduct thatmet theneeds of
both the operator and rigger.We began
with awireless transmission from the
trolley and further refined theHookCam
to transmit from the block.”
Consistent live shot
TheHookCam is unique in that itwas
designed specifically for tower cranes,
and it offers a consistent live shot of the
actionon the jobsite.
If a camera system transmits over
the internet, which is anoption in the
industry, the operator and rigger lose
valuable secondswhile the transmission
is redirected,Hayne said, explaining the
attributes of theHookCam.
“Withour technology, the operator
can relyon always having the live view
without disruptions or interference,
especially in the blindwhen itmatters
most,” she explained.
HookCambelieves thatwordofmouth
is a valuable tool in the tower crane
market. The company spreads awareness
of their products at trade shows and
other industry events. They evenoffer
their products on a trial basis so that
their clients can see the benefits for
themselves. According toHayne, they’ve
never had aHookCam trial not convert
into to a sale.
“We’re beginning to seewidespreaduse
of theHookCam and find the industry
adopts the technologyprettyquickly
after trying it,” saidHayne. “Hawaii
has adopted the technology extremely
quickly. TheHookCam is installedon
over 90percent of the 15ormore tower
cranes inHonolulu. We’re beginning
to see the same thinghappen inother
regions andbelieve itwill be standard
practice in thenear future.”
It certainly seems like crane cameras are
trending the samewayback-up cameras
in the automobile industrydid. Itwouldn’t
be at all surprising to see thembecome
standardon certain types of cranes, if not
all cranes, in thenot toodistant future.
■
A HookCam is installed on the hook
of a crane constructing a high rise
condo in Hawaii.
■
Email:
■
Tel: 800-387-4397
You can’t exist inour worldwithout keeping safety andquality in the forefront.AtAnderson, this is accomplished
through documented processes, regular training and having the experienced people and proper equipment in
place todo our job Àawlessly, every timeandeverywhere our customers’ requirements take us.
