Dig Assist
Get ready to level, trench and grade with incredible precision. Dig Assist excavator machine control puts real-time GPS accuracy in the cab so any operator can complete complex site profiles in a fraction of the time with little to no rework. Talk to your dealer to find the right customized fit for your equipment.
Choose your level of control.
Every system begins with Dig Assist Start, giving you the tools you need to get moving. From there, choose from several optional add-ons to customize the level of automation and precision your jobs require.
Dig Assist Start
Included on all Dig Assist-ready machines, this core package provides the 2D foundation for precision digging. Operators use the in-cab tablet to set depth and slope targets, ensuring high accuracy for every trench and foundation.
Lift Assist Start
Take the guesswork out of heavy lifting with real-time load guidance directly on your Volvo Co-Pilot display. By providing visual and audible alerts that help you stay within safe machine limits, this app helps prevent tipping and gives you the confidence to move heavy material more efficiently.
On-Board Weighing
Ensure every bucket is loaded to its maximum capacity without over-filling your trucks. This technology provides real-time weight data and tracks every ton moved, helping you hit production targets accurately. It helps prevent the costly fines and equipment wear associated with overloading.
In-Field Design
Stop waiting for surveyors to stake out simple shapes. In-Field Design allows operators to draw 2D or 3D models directly on the Volvo Co-Pilot tablet. By turning paper drawings into digital plans from the cab, you start digging immediately with incredible accuracy.
3D Excavator Control
Large-scale infrastructure projects require pinpoint accuracy. Our 3D integration gives you the freedom to connect your excavator to Topcon, Trimble or Unicontrol systems for a high-definition view of site plans. Use the GPS technology that fits your workflow to keep your projects on schedule.
Operator Coaching
Help your crew refine their skills with a built-in heavy equipment operator training system that delivers real-time coaching and performance insights. This app monitors technique and provides tips to improve efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and minimize machine wear. It’s like having a trainer in the cab, helping every operator reach their full potential.
Volvo Active Control
Take the physical effort out of grading with this automated add-on excavator control system. Simply set the grade, push the button and get the work done using a single lever. The system automatically manages boom and bucket movements so any operator can achieve a perfect finish with less fatigue.
Guiding you through
Access quick tips
The “Quick Tips” button is the perfect companion to the operator’s manual, displaying information on how to use specific apps and functions found within the Volvo Co-Pilot.
Discover handy tools
Just as you would expect from your smartphone or tablet, Volvo Co-Pilot comes pre-installed with apps designed to make the operator’s life easier. These include Calculator, Notes and Weather, as well as an integrated radio.
Enjoy smooth communication
The Volvo Co-Pilot for excavators uses Android 12 with in-cab Bluetooth and WiFi. It will help you communicate with colleagues, upload information to Dig Assist, access the internet, connect printers and more.
Get remote support
Leverage the power of your machine’s connectivity and Volvo Co-Pilot to access off-site assistance when you need it.
What’s more, Dig Assist stays fully up to date with the latest software version thanks to over-the-air updates, and you can easily upgrade the available functionality without any work required to the machine or hardware.
Watch Dig Assist in action
Contractor Harold Lunnie shares how an investment in Dig Assist is an investment in production, accuracy and no call-backs. How much money can the system save you? Hear from Harold himself.
Why Kozik Brothers love Dig Assist and Topcon 3D
Kozik Brothers use Volvo Dig Assist with Topcon 3D to quickly dig laterals that are always on grade, combining speed, precision and operator efficiency. See this technology from the operator’s point of view and learn how it boosts productivity on every project.
And there's more
Cloud back-up
Volvo Co-Pilot is connected to the internet, meaning you can retrieve information via the cloud at any time.
Satellite support
GNSS components support the four major constellations: GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo.
External radio configuration
You can configure SATEL (Topcon) external radio from the Volvo Co-Pilot screen without needing to connect the radio to a computer. The radio can be programmed from the cab, without removing any parts from the machine.
Site solutions
Dig Assist can be used together with a number of Productivity Services, such as Connected Map, Performance Indicator, Task Manager and Connected Load Out. Get in touch with your dealer to find out more!
Excavator machine control is a productivity system that uses GPS technology and high-precision sensors to track the exact position of your machine’s boom, arm and bucket in real time. By comparing this data to your target site plan, the system provides visual guidance and operator training inside the cab, showing you exactly how deep to dig or where to grade. Essentially, it puts the stakes and grade checks directly on your screen, allowing you to move dirt with surgical precision without ever leaving your seat.
Unlike bolt-on aftermarket options, Dig Assist excavator machine control is engineered, manufactured and installed entirely by Volvo. Because it’s a factory-fitted system, all the components, hardware and software are fully supported by your local Volvo dealer. There are also no hydraulic pilot lines, meaning faster servicing and more uptime.
The learning curve is incredibly short. The Volvo Co-Pilot interface works just like a smartphone or tablet, complete with intuitive apps like a calculator and weather. Operators routinely report being able to figure out how to set a grade and utilize the system after just a few minutes.
Yes. We have a Dig Assist YouTube playlist that walks you through everything from basic screen setup to advanced automated grading. You can watch real-world demonstrations of the interface and see exactly how different app features handle common site tasks.
Yes, Dig Assist is built for heavy equipment operator safety. For example, it includes work boundary features that allow you to set virtual limits to protect your crew and equipment.
- Depth limits prevent the bucket tip from going beneath a pre-set depth to avoid underground hazards like pipes and cables.
- Height limits prevent the boom and bucket from going above a pre-set elevation to avoid power lines.
- Swing fences prevent the swing from exceeding pre-set limits to avoid contact with side obstacles.
They don’t need to wait for a technician to drive to the site. Thanks to the machine’s connectivity and the Volvo Co-Pilot tablet, operators can get remote support from their dealer straight from the convenience of the cab.
Yes. If you upgrade to the 3D package, designs from Topcon 3D-MC and Trimble Earthworks can be uploaded directly into the Volvo Co-Pilot. You simply import a project file and get to work.
While Dig Assist Start gives you visual guidance, Volvo Active Control is an automated steer-by-wire solution. Simply set the grade and engage the automatics. The operator controls the excavator’s arm speed manually while the machine automatically adjusts the boom and bucket movements to maintain an even grade and create the desired shape.
