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Topcon Unveils New Machine Control, Safety, and Geomatics Innovations at CONEXPO 2026

News

Topcon Unveils New Machine Control, Safety, and Geomatics Innovations at CONEXPO 2026
News

News

Topcon Unveils New Machine Control, Safety, and Geomatics Innovations at CONEXPO 2026

2026-03-03 08:12 Last Updated At:08:21

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 2, 2026--

Topcon Positioning Systems has announced new 3D machine control technologies, functionalities, and safety features for earthmoving and paving applications, as well as geomatic technologies for surveying and building construction applications. By connecting equipment, people, and processes, the new technologies are designed to increase productivity across applications and project phases through a centralized platform approach. The announcement was made for CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, North America’s largest construction trade show.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260302922016/en/

“The industry continues to face shrinking margins, tighter specifications, and heightened sustainability expectations, and needs innovative approaches to complete projects on time, under budget, and with long-lasting results,” said Murray Lodge, Topcon executive vice president. “Industry professionals need high-accuracy, scalable solutions easily integrated into mixed fleets and varied workflows. A single-platform approach becomes essential, minimizing downtime, reducing material waste, and maximizing labor efficiencies across the entire project lifecycle. The Topcon innovations introduced at CONEXPO reflect that connected platform approach.”

Machine Control Platform Updates

Topcon’s heavy construction equipment central platform is 3D-MC machine control software, designed for precise, real-time guidance and control for excavation, grading, paving, milling, and other earthmoving operations. New functionalities made possible through updated configurations for 3D-MC include:

3D-MC Edge is a new feature within the 3D-MC environment engineered to focus directly on a machine’s cutting edge for enhanced accuracy and responsiveness. This configuration is ideal for machines performing general earthwork grading operations, such as wheeled tractor-scrapers, tow-behind scrapers, box blades, and push dozers. For municipalities and contractors with machinery that might not currently be equipped with machine control, this economical technology will put them closer to grade without undercutting or overfilling, saving finish-grading time and using machinery more efficiently.

Excavator-focused updates with new functionalities for ease of use, safety, and productivity include:

The GTS-M1 robotic total station for machine control is a next-generation instrument that tracks a 360-degree prism mounted on heavy construction equipment for LPS. It is especially beneficial for precision-intensive applications, such as fine grading, milling, and paving for road construction, or in environments where satellite-based positioning is not feasible due to obstructed sky conditions, such as dense tree cover, tunnels, or similar job site conditions. The GTS-M1 is also a valuable part of Hybrid Lock functionality.

Topcon AwarenessSystem is an AI system utilizing digital cameras mounted to construction vehicles to detect movement or obstructions that could cause an accident or conflict. Topcon Awareness System provides blind-spot detection with alerts sent to the operator and the cloud portal. The system has user-configurable zones of influence that help the operator avoid accidents and create records for accident analysis.

Topcon Site Manager is the cloud management system for Topcon machine control construction solutions that enables remote control, data sharing, and work order creation for connected solutions. Functions include sending design data, retrieving measured productivity data, and creating work orders for granular follow-up on completed work. Currently, the software, which is compatible with ISO 15143-4, allows the user to connect their mixed fleets and weighing solutions.

The LM-1000 load weighing system for aggregate handlers is a trade-approved onboard weighing system for all types of loaders, designed to increase safety and improve operational efficiency of the loading vehicles. Weighing material as it is loaded in the truck prevents overloading, reduces risk for those involved in machine management, and lowers fuel costs and tire wear for loading machines. All loads and stockpile movements are tracked and recorded for robust accounting, reported in Site Manager.

Topcon Origo, the latest addition to the Capture Reality 3D mass data solution portfolio, is a spatial‑positioning system for interior building layout. It uses localization and reusable spatial reference maps to acquire real-time position as easily as with the current layout methods of optical or laser equipment. The handheld system mounts the scanner and controller to a single rover pole for easy movement on a job site, as there is no need for calibration or leveling. “Topcon Origo provides a reliable fixed origin for even the most complex interior environments,” said Neil Vancans, head of Topcon’s geomatics unit. “Using reference‑map‑based positioning to overcome the line‑of‑sight limits of optical or laser equipment, Origo delivers a seamless workflow that ensures every point is placed as intended.”

For more information, visit topconpositioning.com.

About Topcon Positioning Systems

Topcon Positioning Systems is an innovation company focused on delivering precision technologies and workflow solutions for the global construction, geomatics, and agriculture markets. Topcon Positioning Systems ( topconpositioning.com ) is headquartered in Livermore, California, U.S. Its European head office is in Zoetermeer, Netherlands. Parent company Topcon Corporation (topcon.com), founded in 1932, is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

Topcon Positioning Systems has announced new 3D machine control technologies, functionalities, and safety features for earthmoving and paving applications, as well as geomatic technologies for surveying and building construction applications at CONEXPO 2026.

Topcon Positioning Systems has announced new 3D machine control technologies, functionalities, and safety features for earthmoving and paving applications, as well as geomatic technologies for surveying and building construction applications at CONEXPO 2026.

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Ryan Zinke, a Montana Republican who served as interior secretary during President Donald Trump's first administration, said Monday that he will not seek reelection to a fifth term in the U.S. House, citing health concerns.

The decision gives Democrats an outside chance to pick up a House seat this fall in a state that has veered to the right politically over the past decade. Republicans have a narrow 218-214 majority, with three seats vacant ahead of the November midterm elections.

Zinke, 64, a former Navy SEAL from Whitefish, Montana, said in a letter to constituents that he underwent multiple surgeries in recent years and faces more treatment for injuries sustained during more than two decades in the military. He said his condition, which he did not specify, was not life-threatening but required considerable time for recovery.

“My judgement and experience tell me it is better for Montana and America to have full-time representation in Congress than run the risk of uncertain absence and missed votes," he wrote.

After four years in the Montana Legislature, Zinke was elected to the U.S. House in 2014. He was tapped as Trump's interior secretary in 2017 but resigned in 2018 amid numerous ethics investigations. His political career bounced back in 2022 when Zinke narrowly won in a newly created congressional district in western Montana. He won again in 2024 by a comfortable margin.

Several Democrats already had lined up to challenge Zinke in the November election, including former gubernatorial candidate Ryan Busse and union organizer Sam Forstag.

“Ryan Zinke quit because he saw what was coming: all of us," Forstag said in a statement, adding that people in western Montana wanted new leadership.

On Monday, Zinke and Montana Republican U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy endorsed conservative talk radio host Aaron Flint, who announced his candidacy in a social media post. Zinke said Flint, a combat veteran, “is the next generation of leadership Montana needs.”

Also joining the race was Flathead County Republican Committee Chairman Al “Doc” Olszewski. The former state senator and surgeon who served in the Air Force came within 2 percentage points of beating Zinke in the 2022 GOP primary. He filed paperwork to run hours after Zinke announced he would not, and told The Associated Press the eventual Republican nominee will need broad appeal to win in November.

“The Democrats have a fair shot at this race,” Olszewski said. “This is not a safe Republican district.”

Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte said Zinke was a “champion for Montana,” first as a SEAL and later in politics. Gianforte won a special House election to fill Zinke’s seat after the Republican joined Trump’s Cabinet.

During his time at the Interior Department, Zinke worked to advance Trump's “drill, baby, drill” agenda and to boost oil and gas extraction from government lands.

He also advocated for conservation and last year led efforts to remove the potential sales of public lands from a Republican budget proposal against opposition from some in his party.

FILE - Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., right, talks with Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., left, prior to a House Committee on Capitol Hill, in Washington, Sept. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr., File)

FILE - Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., right, talks with Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., left, prior to a House Committee on Capitol Hill, in Washington, Sept. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr., File)

FILE - Rep.-elect Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., looks to Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., in the House chamber as the House meets for the third day to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress, Jan. 5, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

FILE - Rep.-elect Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., looks to Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., in the House chamber as the House meets for the third day to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress, Jan. 5, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

FILE - Rep.-elect Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., walks from a closed-door meeting with the GOP Conference during the opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

FILE - Rep.-elect Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., walks from a closed-door meeting with the GOP Conference during the opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

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