JLG Boom Lift With Robotic End Effector Brings AI Welding to Elevated Work
JLG is introducing a new generation of elevated work platforms that blend traditional access equipment with advanced robotics and artificial intelligence. The company’s latest concept uses an electric EC600AJ boom lift outfitted with a robotic end effector capable of performing complex tasks at height, including AI-assisted automated welding, precision inspection and installation work. This system represents a significant leap toward autonomous elevated operations on construction sites.
At its core, the system pairs the EC600AJ’s articulating boom and electric drive with robotic manipulators mounted where a crew normally operates tools. These manipulators are controlled by AI-based guidance software that interprets sensor data, positions the boom and articulates the arms to perform work that traditionally would require a highly skilled operator in the basket. A key focus in early demonstrations has been automated welding, where the robotic end effector executes welds on structural steel or connections with repeatability and precision.
Automated welding at height presents challenges that go beyond stationary shop robotics. On a jobsite, surfaces are rarely uniform, lighting and environmental conditions vary, and access can be restricted. JLG’s system uses multi-sensor perception – including lidar, cameras and force feedback sensors – to build a real-time understanding of the structure it’s working on. AI algorithms use this data to adjust welding paths and parameters on the fly, compensating for fit-up variations, slight misalignments and surface irregularities that would otherwise slow down or complicate a manual weld.
Integration with Building Information Modeling (BIM) and digital twins further enhances the system’s capability. Welding tasks can be planned directly against the project’s digital model, specifying joint locations, weld types and sequences ahead of time. During execution, the intelligent end effector references the BIM data to verify positioning and ensure each weld matches the digital specification. For construction teams, this means fewer layout errors, reduced rework and better alignment with as-built documentation.
AI-guided welding robots are already common in manufacturing, but deploying them on mobile elevated platforms like boom lifts changes the game for field fabrication and assembly. The robotic boom can navigate around obstacles, approach complex geometries and deliver welds at height without exposing workers to prolonged overhead tasks or repetitive strain. This reduces risk in areas like steel erection, metal deck attachment or structural repair work where weld quality and consistency are critical.
Because the system is built with perception and machine learning at its core, it can improve over time. Each welding cycle feeds data back into the AI model, helping the system learn common deviations and refining its path planning for future tasks. For contractors working on long-span steel buildings, bridges or industrial facilities, this capability promises higher throughput and consistency compared with traditional manual welding at height.
Early demonstrations have drawn interest from general contractors, specialty steel erectors and industrial construction firms that see the potential to reduce labor-intensive tasks, cut schedule risk and improve safety outcomes. While this technology is still evolving, it marks a shift toward robotic assistance on real jobsites, where automation handles repetitive or high-precision work while human crews remain focused on oversight, complex decision-making and quality assurance.
JLG’s robotic boom lift with AI welding capability points toward a future where elevated tasks are not just easier, but digitally coordinated and automated in ways previously limited to factory floors. As AI continues to advance and integrate with construction equipment, we will likely see broader adoption of similar systems that bring autonomy, precision and data-driven execution to field construction work.
