The concept by the German startup QuiMo is a remote-controlled dual-wheeled electric loader with 360-degree mobility. Weighing 1.8 tons, it can lift 1.8 tons. (The product introduction was reported by Construction Brief, with a summary from Mechanical Intelligence Station.)
This is a wheel loader, but unlike any you’ve seen before. It will debut in 2025 at the Bauma Exhibition in Munich, Germany. The most striking feature is that it only has two wheels and lacks an operator’s cabin, being operated remotely.
Anyone who sees similarities with the dual-wheeled self-balancing personal transport device, the Segway, introduced about 25 years ago, would not be wrong. In fact, the original inspiration for this machine came from that very concept.
Because this machine is smaller and has fewer components compared to traditional loaders, the startup claims they will sell their model at the same price as diesel-powered loaders, but much cheaper than four-wheeled electric loaders.
Are Two Wheels Better Than Four?
Jonas Heinzler, the company's founder and software engineer, explained that the idea came to him after seeing the Segway in action. His first thought was that it could be used for clearing ice and snow from streets, but then he thought of adding a movable counterweight to make it suitable for the construction industry. Soon after, the concept gained about five patents.
The project received public funding in 2023 when Heinzler and his friend Maximilian Wanner were still studying electrical engineering at the University of Ulm in Germany. Wanner helped co-found the company.
“Public funding was approved almost overnight at the end of 2023; it was a surprise. It was really tough at first because we didn’t have a workforce. We were still in university,” Wanner said.
“We started the whole development work last spring, including the mechanical and electrical systems, selecting components, finding partners, and convincing them to sponsor components.”
The startup has business relationships with other companies, and most of the components are sponsored by other businesses. They also have a more specific relationship with InMach Intelligente Maschinen GmbH, a company providing smart control systems for OEM machinery and equipment attachments.
However, Heinzler and Wanner made it clear that they are determined to follow their own path, without letting too many other companies and dependencies influence their (presumably dual-wheeled) development direction.
Electric Prototype Unveiled
Like most startups, the small team is working full-time to complete the prototype.
“The machine is almost fully built, although not fully functional yet. We need about a year to complete the entire development, construction, and debugging. In my view—experienced engineers have also told us—it’s a record time,” Wanner said.
This prototype will be showcased at the Inmach booth at the Bauma Exhibition in Munich. While there won’t be space to operate it, a screen will display videos of its operation.
Heinzler said they are in the “transition phase between optimizing the prototype and starting formal development,” and the plan is to “sell in Europe in 2026 and 2027.”
A recurring topic in conversations is the technological shortage in the construction industry, and how this machine could be one of the solutions. The dual-wheeled loader will be equipped with a remote control, allowing it to work in hazardous conditions without putting anyone at risk. Because the machine is small, it can be fully monitored with several cameras, which is much harder with larger equipment, making off-sight operation easier.
There are plans to implement automation in the future, which will help address the technological shortage faced by global construction companies.
“Our machine is perfect for automation. We can turn on the spot, so we can steer in any direction. We don’t need shock absorbers because the weight of this machine is comparable to its lifting capacity. We weigh 1.8 tons and can carry 1.8 tons. This means I can travel long distances efficiently with this machine,” Heinzler said.
These two young men in their twenties acknowledge that when the machine goes into production, it won’t be able to do everything a traditional wheel loader can, but they believe it will provide a real alternative.
“This is a pretty smart solution,” Heinzler asserted. “Maybe we can’t do everything a wheel loader can do today, but we can do about 80%. It will be cheaper and have other features that wheel loaders don’t. After the Bauma Exhibition, once our prototype is showcased, we can decide on the next steps.”
The article is reprinted from Mechanical Intelligence Station.
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