Five Years of Partnership Behind the RKX VOLT 100
Innovation in heavy industry is often presented as a finished product. What is less visible is the journey required to transform an idea into a working machine.
Unveiled this week at Hillhead 2026, the RKX VOLT 100k represents the culmination of five years of development, testing, refinement and collaboration between Rock Extraction, Control Technologies UK and a number of specialist technology partners.
Since the early prototype stages, Control Technologies UK has worked alongside the Rock Extraction team as a systems engineering and integration partner, helping to develop the machine’s control architecture and coordinate expertise from key suppliers to deliver a unique solution for the industry.
Building the Foundation
The initial objective was clear: develop a control system capable of delivering precise torque and speed control for a rock-breaking system, allowing operators to optimise performance and efficiency.
From the outset, the challenge was far more complex than simply developing software.
The machine combines high-energy-density YASA electric motors and control hardware with a unique rock-breaking system. Bringing these technologies together required close collaboration across multiple disciplines, including software, controls, electrical systems and machine design.
Control Technologies UK was brought in to optimise the power generation and control architecture, which included developing the control software, integrating key technologies and ensuring the overall system evolved as a complete solution rather than a collection of individual components.
Looking Forward
The RKX VOLT 100k demonstrates what can be achieved when innovative companies work together towards a common goal.
As electrification continues to reshape heavy equipment and industrial machinery, collaboration between application experts, technology providers and systems integrators will become increasingly important.
The development journey behind the RKX VOLT 100k is a reminder that successful innovation is not simply about selecting the right technology. It is about bringing together the right people, expertise and partnerships to turn ideas into working solutions.
Mark Wood, CEO, Control Technologies UK
“The RKX VOLT 100k demonstrates what’s possible when innovative companies work together towards a common goal. Projects like this aren’t delivered by a single technology or supplier – they’re the result of strong partnerships, shared expertise and a willingness to solve complex engineering challenges collaboratively. Our role throughout the programme has been to help bring together the control systems, power architecture and enabling technologies into a cohesive solution. We’re proud to have supported Rock Extraction throughout the machine’s development journey and to have played a role in bringing that vision to life.”
Ian Dawson, Managing Director, Rock Extraction
“Developing the RKX VOLT 100k has required a huge amount of commitment from everyone involved over the last five years. Bringing together innovative mechanical, electrical and control technologies into a machine capable of transforming rock extraction has only been possible through close collaboration with partners who shared our vision. Control Technologies UK has played a key role in helping us integrate and refine the control architecture that underpins the machine’s performance. The unveiling of the RKX VOLT 100k at Hillhead 2026 marks a significant milestone in that journey and demonstrates what can be achieved when engineering expertise and innovation come together with a shared purpose.”
The Motor Technology
The RKX VOLT 100k Electric Breaker utilises highly compact and power dense axial flux motors from YASA Limited.
YASA’s axial flux electric motors provide the greatest efficiencies and highest power and torque density in their class, for the smallest size and weight. The YASA motor (750R high power, high torque motor) utilises the proprietary ‘Yokeless And Segmented Armature’ topology.
About YASA
“YASA’s axial flux electric motors provide the greatest efficiencies and highest power and torque density in their class, for the smallest size and weight.”
Jon Whitehouse
Senior Business Development Manager
YASA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz.
“We are delighted to partner with YASA to bring this technology to market. Their motors are the key to delivering the power and precision the RKX VOLT 100k demands.”
Ian Dawson
Managing Director, RKX Rock Extraction Ltd
A world first in rock breaking technology — demonstrated for the first time.
On 23rd June 2026, RKX Rock Extraction Ltd makes its world debut at Hillhead 2026 in Buxton, one of the quarrying, construction and recycling industry’s most important international exhibitions. The occasion marks the public launch of the RKX VOLT 100k, an electric rock breaker representing a genuine step change in rock breaking technology.
Powered by cutting-edge British technology (YASA, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz) the RKX VOLT 100k replaces or complements conventional drilling and blasting in quarrying, construction, and recycling environments delivering precise, non-blasting extraction or breaking where it’s needed most.
What the RKX VOLT 100k Delivers
Lightweight at just 3 tonnes and compatible with any 20-tonne class excavator carrier, this electrically driven breaker delivers:
- All electric breaker
- Powered by cutting edge British technology
- Precision breaking/extraction
- Blasting difficulties? A viable alternative
- Minimal noise, dust, vibration — environmentally compliant
- Massive 100KJ single-strike impact
- Up to 20 strikes per minute
- Zero shock to breaker & carrier
- Any 20-ton class excavator carrier
- Telemetry & data collection
See it at Hillhead 2026
The RKX VOLT 100k will be demonstrated for the first time at Hillhead 2026, Buxton, on 23rd June 2026.
Whether your focus is efficient quarrying, construction or recycling — come and find us at Stand X13 and see the RKX VOLT 100k in action at the quarry face demonstration site.
Have you got a problem with blasting or explosives? Maybe we’ve got a solution.
Primary rock fragmentation has traditionally relied on two approaches: drill and blast, or hydraulic hammer. Blasting is powerful but brings enormous complexity — explosives licences, specialist contractors, exclusion zones, blast shock, noise, dust and vibration. Hydraulic hammers have their place in secondary breaking but are only ever used as a last resort in primary fragmentation — and only where explosives are unavailable and no other alternative exists.
Regulatory pressure is tightening further. Environmental standards are rising, community opposition is growing, and planning conditions are becoming more restrictive. There is an expanding list of locations where blasting is simply not an option: urban demolition, quarries near residential areas, heritage sites, tunnelling operations, and recycling facilities.
The RKX VOLT 100k: Explosive-Free Rock Breaking
The RKX VOLT 100k is a fully electric rock breaker designed to operate in precisely these environments. It delivers 100,000 joules of single-strike impact, equivalent to around 17 grams of commercial explosives — with zero shock breaker & carrier, minimal noise, dust and vibration, and full environmental compliance. Lightweight at just 3 tonnes and compatible with any 20-tonne class excavator carrier, it brings explosive-free rock breaking and non-explosive rock extraction to operations where blasting is prohibited, impractical, or under growing regulatory pressure.
Eliminating the blast cost chain also delivers significant savings — no licence, no specialist handling, no blast-specific insurance, and no delays waiting for clearance.
See it at Hillhead 2026
The RKX VOLT 100k will be demonstrated for the first time at Hillhead 2026, Buxton, on 23rd June 2026.
Whether your focus is efficient quarrying, construction or recycling — come and find us at Stand X13 and see the RKX VOLT 100k in action at the quarry face demonstration site.