Birmingham: New technology helps crane operator with fear of heights

Tower cranes that can be operated from the ground are in use at a construction project in Birmingham - and have already helped an operator who is scared of heights.

The Skyline Cockpit ground command system has been trialled successfully and will continue to be used in Crown Place Birmingham.

It removes the need for an operator to climb up and down the mast to the cab by enabling them to control the crane from ground level.

Crane operator Gagan Kakad said: "It took me longer to climb the crane and come down the crane - I used to stop every level to get used to the heights."

He said he thought young people who liked gaming would be attracted to the ground control system.

"I think there's a push for a lot more younger people to work on crane operating," he said, "because I've worked for about two years now, and I haven't met anyone in my age range yet."

Winvic said its technology came about because of its commitment to the health, safety and wellbeing of operators and because it was more efficient.

The 33-storey student housing development, for Crown Student Living, is expected to be completed by Winvic by December 2025.

The company said cameras provided all-round visibility, eliminating blind spots and restricted views created by the building.

They also allowed the operator to zoom in on areas that would typically be out of their line of sight.

Winvic operations manager David Elson said the technology "really appeals to the next generation", adding construction was "not all about being wet and dirty, it's about real innovation."