At the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) 2024 in January, HD Hyundai revealed its vision for the future of construction.
Packaged under the theme “Xite Transformation" (pronounced 'site'), HD Hyundai aims to develop solutions for the sustainability of humanity. Xite, as HD Hyundai refers to it, is an expanded concept for construction jobsites, and incorporates the company’s goal to deliver "innovation in building smart construction sites with autonomous, digital twin, eco-friendly, electrification and more future construction equipment technologies."
A keynote speech delivered by HD Hyundai Vice Chairman and CEO Kisun Chung revealed the company's latest technology, X-Wise and X-Wise Xite, both of which will play a key role in the company's journey toward Xite Transformation.
According to the company, X-Wise is an AI platform designed to maximize safety and efficiency in fleet management, with the the ultimate goal of reaching site autonomy. X-Wise will be applied to all HD Hyundai’s industrial solutions as a base technology going forward. X-Wise Xite is an intelligent site management solution developed for optimal production of infrastructure by connecting all construction equipment applied with X-Wise in real time.
In addition to realizing site autonomy with these two innovative technologies, HD Hyundai plans to become the leader in open innovation by partnering with global top players in the industry to build a new global ecosystem.
If that's not enough, HD Hyundai XiteSolution, the controlling company of HD Hyundai Construction Equipment and HD Hyundai Infracore, is also setting ambitious goals for the future of construction.
XiteSolution aims to not only build synergy across the company’s subsidiaries, but also shape its own industrial vehicle and hydraulic component business.
Encompassing offerings from HD Hyundai Infracore and HD Hyundai Construction Equipment and HD Hyundai XiteSolution at the show, HD Hyundai showcased its vision for the future of construction jobsite at CES, highlighting three main areas:
- Future Xite - Advanced construction technologies for safer jobsites
- Twin Xite - Improved productivity and efficient in site operations
- Zero Xite - Decarbonized construction sites utilizing renewable energy sources
Future Xite presented what the future of next-gen construction machines will look like when utilizing advanced unmanned and automation technologies. Twin Xite introduced site-control solutions and remote control technologies based on digital twins. Zero Xite focused on exhibiting the company’s experience and technological capabilities for green energy value chains.
Armed with a comprehensive strategy and this vision for the future of construction, HD Hyundai aims to become a leading global player in the construction equipment industry. XiteSolution President and CEO Youngcheul Cho plays a key role in driving this vision forward.
Since joining the company in 1988, Cho has seen the company adapt through different phases of change and iterations of innovation -- each more intelligent than the next. According to Cho, the most recent shifts toward a great integration of technology and a drive to innovate have been the most notable.
“[At CES, HD Hyundai Vice Chairman and CEO Kisun Chung] announced the focus on all-new technologies designed to improve jobsite safety, environment and productivity,” said Cho. “Without a focus on technology — without any of these things — we cannot work forward, so that is that a target.”
Image 1. At CES 2024, HD Hyundai showcased the Twin Xite concept, where X-Wise Xite assesses fleet and site productivity through task and production tracking, providing recommendations to improve efficiency, including adjustments to fleet positions and routes.HD Hyundai
At the show, the Twin Xite concept showcased X-Wise Xite as it assessed fleet and site productivity through task and production tracking, providing recommendations to improve efficiency, including adjustments to fleet positions and routes (Image 1.). In this construction site of the future, solutions are no longer restricted by time and space, utilizing remote-control and site simulations created with digital twin technology.
While tech advancements like Twin Xite are certainly a target, Cho says other priorities include a focus on R&D and product development and design, areas in which the company is dedicating resources both now and in the coming years.
“Here at CES, we’re showing the newest type of machine, and soon you’ll see this scale of technology come through across different types of machines,” said Cho. The Future Xite concept showcased a 15-foot-tall electric-powered autonomous excavator, equipped with perception/safety sensor system. The equipment can be upgraded by software update. Additionally, it can be built with various upper body and undercarriage (track and battery) depending on its purpose and task (Images 2 and 3).
Image 2. At CES 2024, HD Hyundai showcased the Future Xite concept, where a cabinless, electric-powered autonomous excavator was on display, equipped with perception/safety sensor system.HD Hyundai
Image 3.HD Hyundai
According to Cho, at the close of 2022, the company shaped long-term manufacturing strategies for its construction equipment divisions, with the main priority being the development of new machines. “Secondarily, we are focused on being the best in the market — for example, in the North American and European markets, to be the best in market, we have to focus on different types of machines,” said Cho. “Currently, we are focused on medium- to large-scale [machines], at the heart of the larger-scale machines in the mining sector. Last year, we did some motors and two different types of machines, and this year will be the compact track loaders.”
All of this is a step in XiteSolution's greater path toward growth. In terms of market share, the company is looking increase its footprint. “We are not covering 100% of the North American market, but we are ready to invest in that with our partners. With the compact machines, we’ll be able to cover more and offer a full lineup to increase our market share,” said Cho.
Ultimately, Cho sees an opportunity to take the company further and plans to pursue a spot in the top five construction machinery companies globally. “I think product-wise and price-wise, we have a competitive business,” said Cho. “As the new type of machine is introduced, [there is a need for] upgrading the sales channels and the lineup. And increasing the production volume will provide a benefit when it comes to cost-effective releases, and getting more customers than the competition,” said Cho.
With regard to safety, the future construction site is focused on autonomous equipment to reduce operators' exposure to dangerous conditions. “In the mining environment, sites are not close, and this work requires working across long distances in rough conditions. For example, mining materials from a mountainous site. Some of these sites are dangerous, so who will do this work? People cannot do this, but machines can go out — operated autonomously — for long periods and long distances and safely do this work,” said Cho. “These machines are really changing things, removing the threats from the operator, and adapting to different site situations.”
On the Zero Xite front, HD Hyundai shared a glimpse into its potential technological capabilities for green energy value chains. When it comes to climate concerns and carbon neutrality, the company is focused on alternative energy production and transportation solutions using both electric and hydrogen sources (Image 4). Representing HD Hyundai’s efforts to realize an era of zero-carbon emissions, the Zero Xite concept show an eco-friendly energy value chain depicting how HD Hyundai produces, supplies and utilizes energy, shown through the process of how hydrogen and electric energy is produced, shipped and utilized from ocean to land.
Image 4. At CES 2024, HD Hyundai showcased the Zero Xite concept, depicting an eco-energy supply chain in which the production, transportation/storage and utilization of electricity and hydrogen energy is streamlined.HD Hyundai
According to HD Hyundai, the company is committed to being a "Future Builder" and “will continue to lead technological innovation to build infrastructure that will shape a more sustainable future for humanity.” Laid forth at the show in impressive fashion, this vision to solve the pressing challenges faced humanity, such as safety, security, supply chain issues, climate change and more, is an ambitious one. But according to Cho, he's all in: “We have a responsibility, not only to our clients, but to all people globally."
