According to engineerlive.com, Develon and Leica Geosystems have expanded their partnership to make the Leica MC1 3D machine control solution available as aftermarket kits for all Develon 9 Series crawler excavators. The system integrates with Develon’s existing 2D sensors and calibration systems, enabling what they call a “smooth, efficient upgrade” to 3D technology. The companies emphasize that this control-level integration maintains access to Develon’s existing features like Virtual Wall and Advanced Lift Assist while adding Leica’s precise 3D automation capabilities.
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This Changes the Upgrade Game
Here’s the thing – making 3D control available as an aftermarket kit is actually a pretty big deal. Traditionally, getting advanced automation meant buying new equipment or going through complex, expensive retrofits. Now operators with existing Develon 9 Series machines can upgrade without the massive capital outlay of replacing their entire fleet.
And that’s smart business. Construction companies are notoriously careful with their equipment budgets. By lowering the barrier to entry for 3D automation, Develon and Leica Geosystems are essentially creating a new revenue stream from their existing customer base. It’s like selling premium features to people who already own your product.
Who Loses Here?
This move puts pressure on competitors who haven’t figured out the aftermarket play. Companies still trying to sell entire new machines just to get advanced automation features are going to feel the squeeze. Basically, if you’re a contractor with a fleet of Develon excavators, why would you switch brands when you can just upgrade what you already have?
The timing is interesting too. With construction technology advancing rapidly, equipment manufacturers need to think about how to keep their existing customers in the ecosystem. This partnership between Develon and Hexagon-owned Leica shows they’re thinking strategically about customer retention. It’s not just about selling new iron – it’s about building long-term technology relationships.
But here’s my question: will this approach work across other equipment categories? If successful, we could see similar aftermarket strategies for dozers, graders, and other heavy equipment. The construction tech space might be heading toward more modular, upgradeable systems rather than complete machine replacements.
Ultimately, this feels like a win for equipment owners and a challenge for competitors. Making advanced technology accessible through aftermarket kits could accelerate adoption across the industry. And that’s probably good for everyone – except maybe the companies still trying to sell $500,000 excavators for features you can now bolt onto existing machines.
