Why remote crane technology is stuck on the ground
Israeli startups say regulation is holding back safer construction systems.
A technology developed by two Israeli companies allows tower cranes on construction sites to be operated remotely using advanced cameras, sensors, software and screens. Instead of climbing a ladder dozens of meters up to a cabin at the top of the crane, the operator can control it from the ground.
The technology offers several advantages in routine conditions, and one particularly significant benefit during wartime: the operator remains close to a protected space.
So what is the problem? Israel’s Safety Administration at the Ministry of Labor refuses to approve the use of the technology, or even allow a pilot project, despite the fact that it was developed five years ago.
UltraWis uses technology originally developed by Elbit Systems for the defense industry. Meanwhile, Skyline Cockpit already operates in England and is scheduled to begin work this month on a public hospital construction project in Hong Kong.
Despite this progress abroad, the Safety Administration has not approved remote crane operation in Israel, not even simple remote-control systems offered by some crane manufacturers.
In 2021, the head of the Safety Administration, Yehezkel (Hezi) Schwarzman, banned the use of such remote controls. However, the ongoing conflict with Iran and the need to keep crane operators close to protected spaces have led to a shift in position.
Schwarzman is now working to approve the use of relatively simple remote-control devices. After discussions with the Israel Builders Contractors Association, the Safety Administration last week published a draft regulation for public comment that would allow cranes to be operated remotely using handheld controls.
But critics say these systems are outdated and potentially dangerous compared with the advanced monitoring platforms developed by Israeli companies.
Crane operators themselves oppose the move.
Roee Weinstein, chair of the national crane operators’ union, says that using a handheld remote control on the ground limits the operator’s field of vision.
“From the ground I cannot see the entire lifting operation the way I can from above,” he said. “This creates thousands of life-threatening situations. I’m supposed to make critical decisions while a worker is walking nearby or a forklift is reversing.”
Even to non-experts, the difference between the systems is clear.
The simple remote-control systems that may soon be approved require the operator to stand on the construction site next to the crane. At most, they include a small screen. Visibility can be extremely limited, especially on high-rise projects.
To compensate, operators must rely on a signalman who guides them and a route supervisor who reports on the position of the load.
By contrast, the systems developed by Israeli companies rely on multiple cameras and large screens that provide a 360-degree view of the site, along with sensors that measure distance, wind conditions and other factors.
The Contractors Association’s campaign to approve remote crane operation is not only about safety, it also has major financial implications.
According to Home Front Command guidelines, workers must be able to reach a protected space within 90 seconds. A crane operator working dozens of meters above ground cannot meet that requirement.
As a result, cranes are not allowed to operate on many construction sites during periods of heightened alert.
The financial impact is significant. Without cranes, most construction activity cannot proceed.
The direct cost to contractors can reach hundreds of thousands of shekels per month. Operating a crane costs about ₪30,000 per month, excluding the operator’s salary, and large construction sites often operate two or three cranes.
But the bigger cost is the work stoppage itself. When cranes stop operating, much of the workforce cannot continue working. A single day on a residential construction site costs a contractor about ₪10,000, much of which is wasted if the crane cannot operate.
As a result, cranes can still be seen operating on some sites despite the restrictions.
Approval of remote operation would also be financially significant for the companies developing the technology. The crane operation market in Israel is estimated at about ₪500 million annually, with roughly 1,000 cranes operating across the country.
Regulatory approval in Israel could also open doors for expansion into construction markets in Europe and the United States.
Contractors argue that allowing remote crane operation is not only in their interest but also in the national interest.
According to Igal Slovik, CEO of the Israel Builders Contractors Association, construction shutdowns have significant economic consequences.
“Every ten days that construction sites remain closed costs the economy more than ₪2 billion in lost output,” Slovik said. “The construction sector is vital to Israel’s economy.”
Two Companies, Two Approaches
The two Israeli companies developing the technology began working in the field around 2020 and initially cooperated. Both have struggled to change the regulator’s position.
UltraWis was founded by Lior Avitan, who previously worked at Elbit Systems, where some of the technology originated.
Elbit subsidiary Incubit holds 20% of the company, businessman Nissim Berrebi holds 21%, construction company Etz HaShaked holds about 13%, and Avitan himself owns about 36%.
Initially, UltraWis aimed to operate cranes remotely from the ground. However, after encountering regulatory barriers in Israel, and realizing that the technology was still in its early stages globally, the company shifted its focus.
Today, UltraWis offers an advanced crane management system used from the traditional cabin at the top of the tower. The system prevents collisions between cranes, provides real-time data to operators and site managers, and allows the construction site to be viewed from multiple camera angles.
The system is already in use in Israel, Australia and the UK, and could later be adapted for full remote operation once regulations allow.
Skyline Cockpit, a subsidiary of Skyline, one of Israel’s largest crane companies owned by Baruch Parnes and Aviv Carmel, took a different approach and continued focusing on remote operation.
The company received a grant from the Israel Innovation Authority and developed a trailer-based remote cockpit equipped with a seat, control system and screens.
The system uses about ten cameras to provide a 360-degree view of the construction site, including a camera mounted near the crane’s lifting hook.
Augmented-reality software overlays additional information on the screen, allowing operators to see the exact landing point for a load, similar to a laser targeting system.
The cockpit connects to the crane via an industrial fiber-optic cable, ensuring real-time data transmission.
Skyline Cockpit previously petitioned Israel’s High Court of Justice in its effort to obtain regulatory approval.
In April 2024, the company withdrew the petition after an agreement that a committee within the Safety Administration would examine the technology.
According to minutes obtained by Calcalist, the committee met, but the issue of remote crane operation was not actually discussed.
Although most Western countries have not yet widely adopted the technology, many in the industry believe it represents the future of construction.
Skyline Cockpit already operates in England and Finland and has received regulatory approval in Hong Kong.
Both companies envision a future in which their systems can be installed on any crane, old or new, similar to how Mobileye’s vision systems can be integrated into different vehicles.
Schwarzman says the regulatory challenge is not simple.
“A remote cockpit changes the crane’s operating system,” he explained. “Any change in operation or structure requires re-registration. We need the manufacturer’s approval and certification from an accredited laboratory such as the Standards Institute.”
“These regulations were written in blood,” he added.
Tzachi Plato, CEO of Skyline Cockpit, said the company has already obtained the necessary approvals from crane manufacturers and recognized testing laboratories.
Avitan of UltraWis agrees that regulators’ caution is understandable.
“There should be a formal standards committee to determine how to regulate this technology,” he said.
Ultimately, he believes remote operation is only the beginning.
“Operators will no longer sit in crane cabins,” Avitan said. “Cranes will become semi-autonomous and eventually fully autonomous. Regulators and technology companies should be working together to make that transition possible.”
