Winvic has utilised Skyline Cockpit, a remote control tower crane, in a purpose built student accommodation(PBSA) in Birmingham
Winvic Construction Ltd has just concluded a 12-week trial of a remote control tower crane, a new technology that operates tower cranes from a ground control system.
Used at the Crown Place Birmingham, a city centre PBSA scheme, the development is Winvic’s talled project to date and will include towers at a height of nine, 12 and 33 storeys.
Currently the crane reaches to 77 metres, but it will be climbed throughout construction to a maximum height of 102 metres.
Several of the development’s components have been constructed offsite
A 14-tonne capacity Potain MR225 crane is being utilised to facilitate several works packages; constructing the hybrid precast and insitu concrete frame, facilitating the installation of the unitised curtain walled façade, and vertically distributing internal fit out materials, such as prefabricated bathroom pods.
Skyline Cockpit removes the need for a crane operator to climb the mast section to the tower crane cab, reducing the risks involved. Operating from a ground based hub also means the working conditions are improved for the crane operater, as the cabin also includes a kitchenette and welfare facilities.
Using the large 2.1 by 1.2 metre screen in the ground command centre, the crane operator can see a simultanoues panoramic view created from the seven cameras placed on the crane.
They also use augmented reality (AR) to display the load line, expected landing spot, as well as real-time indicators including wind speed, slew, lifting, hoist, jib, and radius data.
These camera capabilities provide improved all round visibility to the operater, with reduced blind spots and impacted views from other parts of the crane’s machinery. They also provide up to 40% zoom resolution, allowing the crane operator to see areas that would typically be out of their line of sight.
Daily and weekly analytics reports available through the Skyline Cockpit cloud portal also allow for efficiencies to be analysed.
Winvic will continue to use the remote control tower crane technology for the remainder of the project
Mark Jones, Winvic’s managing director of Multi-room, said: “During our 12-week trial period, in collaboration with Skyline Cockpit and Radius Group, we analysed the data and assessed the benefits and we’re delighted to announce that we will continue to use this game-changing technology at the 33-storey Crown Place Birmingham for the remainder of the project’s construction.”
Alan Pulver of Crown Student Living said: “Winvic are doing an amazing job for us at our latest PBSA to be known as Crown Place, Birmingham. Winvic are forward thinking, and it is no surprise that they are using Skyline Cockpit which certainly sounds like a winner. The ground control system for operating tower cranes will be a great advance to the construction industry, and we are proud to be associated both with Winvic and Skyline Cockpit in this groundbreaking venture.”
The development is expected to complete in December 2026.
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