"Liebherr Autonomous Operations”, an autonomous system for wheel loaders developed by Liebherr-Werk Bischofshofen, has won the bauma 2025 innovation award in the “Digitalisation” category, according to the European group which is one of the largest construction equipment manufacturers in the world.

The system enables wheel loaders to perform repetitive tasks without a driver, aiming to improve efficiency and safety on construction sites. 

“The autonomous system gives operators a simple and user-friendly application that does not require any specialist IT knowledge,” says a spokesman for Liebherr. “An added benefit: the autonomous optional extra is developed specifically for use with earthmoving machines and opens up new opportunities for planning jobs and organising working time. Liebherr Autonomous Operations is redefining efficiency and safety in the use of wheel loaders.”

Developed by Liebherr-Werk Bischofshofen, the autonomous system allows for fully automated wheel loader operation, freeing up human operators for more complex tasks.

Liebherr showcased the system at bauma, a leading exhibition for construction, material handling and mining machinery, construction vehicles and equipment, held in Germany last month.

A total of five Liebherr products were nominated, three of which – ‘Liebherr Autonomous Operations’. The ‘Positioning Pilot’ and S1 Vision – made it all the way to the final.

Liebherr’s “Positioning Pilot”, a driver assistance system, was nominated for a bauma 2025 innovation award in the “Machine Technology” category. The system enables semi-automated, sway-free crane operation, allowing operators to access pre-set hook positions and travel mapped routes. Liebherr says the technology enhances site safety by enabling the semi-automatic movement of cranes over defined distances and reduces repetitive lifting tasks for operators, improving overall efficiency.

Also nominated in the “Machine Technology” category was the S1 Vision, a single-axle truck developed by Liebherr Corporate Ventures and Liebherr Mining Equipment Newport News Co. This truck reimagines conventional mining haulage by using only essential components for material transport. Despite its single axle, it boasts a payload capacity of up to 131 tonnes and can be adapted for various applications, including earthmoving, agriculture, construction, and mining.