Abstract This study aims to automate earthworks by digitizing earthwork sites through a three-dimensional (3D) geotechnical analysis platform. Institutionalization is required to promote the development of related component technologies and applications of the technologies suitable to the characteristics of construction projects in South Korea. The 3D geotechnical analysis platform has already been developed and completed demonstration tests. Through the tests, it is verified that the database derived from the platform contains coordinates of topography, soil quality, drilling, earthwork quantity, cutting or filling information, which is the basic information of earthwork planning used in fleet management. Furthermore, the study aims to understand the current systems, standards and manuals on earthwork automation in the US and Japan to establish measures to institutionalize and promote the earthwork automation for South Korea. Additional research will be performed to define the cell types in consideration of various ground shapes to plan movement directions and stop locations of the equipment.