Modernizing Joystick Pods While Maintaining Ruggedness & Durability

Bringing OEMs into the next generation of heavy equipment

Change is good but can be hard for heavy equipment operators once they’re familiar with a certain machine interface. They want the same rugged, durable components they’ve relied upon for years, but simultaneously they look for the economic benefits and comfort some new machine technologies provide. The best way to do this is keep those features at the forefront when making any kind of machine updates. Incorporate a look and feel that is approachable, like that of newer automobiles operators are using in their own lives.

GS Global Resources delivers cutting-edge control solutions that blend modern aesthetics with proven reliability for heavy machinery OEMs. In the video above, Kyle Capello, one of our Account Managers, discusses recent updates made to help modernize an existing arm pod solution.

Modernizing Control Stations

In this case, we kept the overall feel of the arm pod very similar to previous iterations, but we integrated contemporary components like intuitive input devices inspired by vehicle controls. This delivers a sleek, modern feel without sacrificing the durability operators expect from years of trusted use.

Prioritizing Operator Ergonomics

“Operators sit in these machines for very long shifts and it has to be comfortable. So a lot of care and detail is taken to make sure that the arm pod is both usable and ergonomic.”

Comfort drives our designs. We meticulously craft ergonomic pods with custom grips, indicator lights, and optimized button layouts, ensuring intuitive usability that reduces fatigue and boosts productivity. Joysticks are our bread and butter and as the primary HMI for most operators, we know to keep high-use functions at the operator’s fingertips, without causing unnecessary fatigue.

Tailored Custom Solutions

“We take the customer’s requirements, including inputs and outputs and create a custom shell.”

Starting from OEM specs—inputs, outputs, and components—every aspect of an arm pod from GS Global Resources is tailor-made for a machine. Our team engineers custom moldings, rather than utilizing off-the-shelf parts, so we can incorporate operator feedback when it comes to ergonomics and feel. Even more importantly, our extensive programming experience allows us to seamlessly incorporate this type of custom solution into the machine’s primary control system, also allowing for more simplified future updates and tweaks within the machine’s program

Proven Partnership Results

“There’s a level of trust. We’ve been working with this OEM for many, many years. The partnership means that they know we’ll come up with a superior product for their machine.”

When working with multiple vendors, OEMs will likely be faced with solutions that don’t seem cohesive or a lack of ownership over solutions, among other things. When you work with GS Global Resources, we become a true partner with the ability to own a solution at each state of the design process, working both with the mechanical design of a component, but also its integration and custom programming.

Ready to bring your armrest, console, joystick, or full operator cab into the modern era? Contact us today to start the conversation with our engineering and account management team.