Xpanner unveils automated pile driving system for solar and BESS
Xpanner introduced the X1 Piling R6, an automated pile driving system for solar and battery storage sites, reducing crew needs and cycle times while improving safety and data tracking.
Construction automation firm Xpanner has launched the X1 Piling R6, a fully automated pile driving system designed for utility-scale solar and battery energy storage installations. The system integrates Xpanner’s automation stack with the Everstar R6 crawler base machine, allowing operators to upload a pile plan, position the machine, and initiate automated driving with a single button press. The X1 navigates to each pile location using high-precision GNSS and sensors, automating positioning and driving while the operator supervises remotely. This eliminates the need for separate survey, marking, and prep crews, consolidating the process into a single automated cycle.
Conventional pile driving typically requires a two-person crew plus additional labor for surveying and preparation, whereas the X1 Piling R6 reduces this to a single operator managing the machine from a remote controller. The system ensures each pile is driven plumb and logs data such as position, depth, and alignment in real time, replacing manual tracking methods like spreadsheets and end-of-day reports. Xpanner’s automation technology, previously deployed on over 67 U.S. jobsites with major EPCs, delivers a 45% faster cycle time on the R6 compared to its prior generation.
The X1 Piling R6 connects to Xpanner Connect, a web-based project dashboard where teams upload pile schedules and coordinates, assign machines, and monitor progress through a live project map. Managers can track machine status, cycle counts, and alerts across the fleet without visiting the site, streamlining oversight and reducing administrative overhead. The system also supports future capabilities, including screw driving and pre-drilling, expanding its potential applications beyond traditional pile driving.
Xpanner will commercially release the X1 Piling R6 on Oct. 26, 2026, through a subscription model covering the machine, automation kit, Xpanner Connect, and on-site support. The agreement includes site validation, training, and maintenance, with Xpanner providing direct service from demonstration through operation. During validation, Xpanner reviews each customer’s pile schedule to confirm specifications before deployment.