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Volvo CE & Unicontrol Bring Integrated 3D Machine Control to North American Excavators

Following a successful rollout in Europe in 2025, this partnership now brings Unicontrol’s 3D machine control technology to the North American market — fully integrated with Volvo Active Control.

Smarter 3D Machine Control — Fully Integrated

The Unicontrol3D system is now available directly through Volvo CE excavators and works seamlessly within the Volvo Active Control environment. The result is:

  • One interface

  • One hardware setup

  • One integrated workflow

When customers order Volvo Co-Pilot with Dig Assist from the factory, all required hardware and software are already installed. Activating the Unicontrol3D application is the only additional step needed.

This integration helps operators:

  • Dig trenches with higher accuracy

  • Grade slopes more precisely

  • Build site profiles faster

  • Reduce rework and staking needs

  • Improve overall jobsite efficiency

According to Volvo CE, the goal is to make advanced jobsite technology more accessible and easier to use — not more complicated.

Open Platform = More Flexibility for Mixed Fleets

Unicontrol — owned by U.S.-based Spectra Precision — is known for open, adaptable machine control systems. Unlike closed ecosystems, Unicontrol3D is designed to work across:

  • Multiple excavator brands

  • Various data formats

  • Different contractor workflows

That flexibility is especially valuable for contractors running mixed fleets who want powerful 3D control capabilities without being locked into a single proprietary system.

This aligns closely with Volvo CE’s open-platform strategy for Volvo Co-Pilot, allowing technology partners to expand machine capability while keeping the user experience simple.

See the Technology Live at CONEXPO

Contractors and operators can see Volvo Active Control with Unicontrol3D demonstrated live at CONEXPO-CON/AGG, one of the largest construction trade shows in the world. Live demos are scheduled at the Volvo CE booth in the Festival Grounds.

What This Means for Contractors

For excavation and sitework professionals, this partnership delivers:

  • Faster setup and activation

  • Greater machine control accuracy

  • Flexible software compatibility

  • Factory-installed readiness

  • Improved productivity potential

At Nuss Truck & Equipment, we continue to watch and support technology that helps our customers work more efficiently, reduce jobsite guesswork, and get more value from their machines.

If you’d like to learn how Volvo excavator assist systems and machine control solutions can fit your operation, our team is ready to help.