AI on Alert: Leica’s Xsight360 Boosts Jobsite Safety with Visual Detection Tech

Leica and Presien Team Up to Offer an Impressive Situational Safety System

Compact equipment works close to people. That’s part of its appeal — and part of the risk. Whether it’s a skid steer turning into a blind spot or a mini excavator backing near a pedestrian walkway, awareness is everything. Leica Geosystems has launched a tool that puts intelligent eyes on the job. Leica’s new Xsight360 system uses AI-powered vision technology to detect people, vehicles and hazards around machines. It sends real-time alerts to operators and logs the data to help safety teams make smarter decisions. For compact equipment, which often operates in tight, complex sites, this type of tech could be a game changer. From the press release:

“At Leica Geosystems, ensuring the safety of construction professionals is a top priority, especially as the industry advances towards automation. With our partner, we’ve developed an intelligent, adaptive system that enhances safety in the present with instant alerts and shapes future safety strategies through comprehensive reports,” says Neil Williams, President of Leica Geosystems’ Machine Control division.

How Xsight360 Works

Xsight360 uses up to six ruggedized cameras and edge AI computing to keep a watchful eye on the machine’s surroundings. The onboard system constantly scans the environment. When it detects a person or object, it alerts the operator with audio and visual cues showing exactly where the hazard is. A powerful onboard processor runs Presien’s AI model, trained over 700,000 jobsite hours. The system aims for fast, accurate alerts with fewer false positives — an essential balance when seconds count. Blind spots shrink. Situational awareness grows. From the press release:

“Partnering with a global innovator like Leica Geosystems marks a significant step in our mission to bring AI to every machine. We’re proud to collaborate on a solution that empowers site teams and safety leaders to better protect people on the ground. Backed by years of industry experience, our tailored AI technology addresses the unique challenges of construction environments, delivering safety and productivity to the highest standards,” says Mark Richards, Presien’s Chief Executive Officer.

Smarter Safety Decisions with the Cloud

In addition to real-time alerts, Xsight360 uploads video and alert data to a cloud platform. AI analyzes it to build reports, safety dashboards and heatmaps. Safety managers can then identify patterns, policy violations or risky behavior and respond with better training or protocols. The platform lets teams compare incidents against regulations or site-specific rules. That leads to faster fixes, fewer near-misses and potentially fewer delays.

Why This Matters for Compact Equipment

Compact machines are often first on site and last to leave. They work in urban cores, backyards and crowded infrastructure zones where people, tools and traffic mix constantly. With less room to maneuver and high daily usage, even a minor collision can cause injury, delay or litigation. A safety solution like Xsight360 helps operators stay focused while supporting safety staff with real data. The system fits nearly any vehicle and installs without major workflow changes — making it a strong candidate for fleetwide adoption.

Leica Is on a Roll

Xsight360 is the latest in a string of innovations from Leica Geosystems that caught our attention. Earlier this month, Leica launched the DS4000 utility detection system, which identifies underground utilities up to 60 percent deeper than traditional tools. With Equalised Scrambling Technology from IDS GeoRadar, it even picks up hard-to-spot items like fiber optics — ideal for compact equipment crews who need to dig smart and safe.

Leica also partnered with LiuGong to pre-install 3D machine control kits on a range of excavators in Europe and the UK. The Leica MC1-ready LiuGong machines streamline setup and bring advanced control tech to more users, especially in markets pushing toward automation. We’re hoping that partnership heads stateside soon.

What’s Next?

Between vision-driven safety, deep-detection radar and machine control partnerships, Leica seems serious about rethinking construction workflows — and keeping people safer while they do it. We’ll be watching closely.

Keith Gribbins is publisher of Compact Equipment.

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