RRLAB at STRABAG Inovation Days 2026

RRLab presents semi-automated asphalt compaction at STRABAG Innovation Days 2026

Our group presented our current project on semi-automated rollers for asphalt compaction at the STRABAG Innovation Days 2026 in Prague.

The project investigates a leader–follower approach for the automation of asphalt compaction. In the presented system, one roller acts as the manually driven leader, while a second roller follows its movements automatically. The rollers used for the demonstration were BOMAG BW174AP5 machines. BOMAG is a project partner and contributes its expertise and equipment to the development of the semi-automated compaction system. This approach aims to support the compaction process while maintaining a close interaction between the human operator and the automated machine.

As part of the Innovation Days, Marcel Suiker presented the system in a live demonstration. A 35 m long demonstration area was prepared and marked with road-marking tape to simulate a 6.5 m wide road. Within this designated area, the leader–follower system was demonstrated under realistic operating conditions, showing how the automated follower roller responds to the manually driven leader.

The live demonstration provided visitors with an opportunity to see the technology in operation and gain practical insight into our approach to semi-automated asphalt compaction. The event also offered a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas with industry partners and discuss the potential of automation for future road construction.