Hanwha Group has teamed up with robotics researchers at Hanyang University to introduce the world’s first wireless control system for excavators this year.

The tele-operation system, called the Ghost, consists of three parts ― a wireless foot pedal, lever and portable controller. It enables users to remotely operate the digger from a distance of up to 100 meters.

The company has now inked a 1 billion won ($970,000) deal with a Singaporean company to supply the wireless excavator controllers.

“Hanwha will start shipping the wireless controllers from September,” said an official close to the matter.

The wireless control system was initially developed by a team of robotics engineers at Hanyang University in Gyeonggi Province. This technology is expected to be fully transferred to Hanwha, which aims to nurture the robotics business as an engine for future growth.

Hanwha, the nation’s 10th-largest conglomerate, is building a research and development center for robotics in Gyeonggi Province. The center will house a wide range of research including work involving unmanned vehicles and drones. The construction of the R&D center is slated to be completed in 2015.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)