This audio is automatically generated. Please let us know if you have any comments.
The focus of this year’s Consumer Electronics Show was how artificial intelligence and other innovative technologies can increase productivity while reversing environmental impacts and future-proofing industries like construction and agriculture.
“The construction industry has laid the foundations of human civilization and yet remains one of the slowest today in terms of technology and innovation,” said Kisun Chung, CEO of HD Hyundai, in his keynote speech. “Today we are here to share HD Hyundai’s vision to change the future of humanity by changing the future of the construction industry…to create a more sustainable future for humanity by solving pressing challenges such as safety, security , supply chain issues and climate change.”
Hyundai HD
Echoing the sentiments of Chung’s keynote, HD Hyundai created a futuristic workplace at CES 2024 with its Xite line of automated and energy-saving products like the Concept-X2 excavator. The unmanned and fully electric excavator it addresses skilled labor shortages as well as climate change by eliminating the need for oil-powered hydraulic systems.
The standalone controls are powered by a AI platform called X-Wise. X-Wise connects all of Hyundai’s autonomous machines in one place from a central control center and will integrate with future products such as the company’s upcoming autonomous articulated hauler and compact wheel loader. This Xite suite represents its approach to addressing challenges such as safety and security, supply chain construction and climate change, according to the company.
InventWood
InventWood’s patented Mettlewood is 20 times stronger than plain wood, 60% stronger than structural steel, yet 80% lighter and can capture carbon from the atmosphere, according to the company. InventWood’s proprietary process for creating MettleWood was developed by University of Maryland researchers Liangbing Hu and Amy Gong as more sustainable, durable, less expensive and lighter cellulose wood construction material.
A grant from the Department of Energy allowed the company to begin commercially producing MettleWood siding, which is resistant to fire, termites, and moisture. Other applications are envisaged, such as structural beams, columns and connectors. The company also claims that MettleWood will cost around half the cost of steel because it is produced from an abundant, fast-growing species that is sustainably sourced. others wood-based composites have attracted venture funding recently, too.
Doosan Bobcat
The new Doosan Bobcat The S7X all-electric charger is a winner of the CES 2024 Innovation Awards. The fully electric mini charger powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides steady, continuous power with zero emissions. According to the company, there is no power lag even when the drive, lift and tilt functions are working simultaneously.
By replacing all hydraulics with electric drive motors and ball screw actuators, the loader operates quietly. The lack of noise and zero emissions means that contractors can use the machine in noisy or environmentally sensitive environments, even indoors. Bobcat also says the S7X is designed with half the components of a traditional loader and 96% less fluid for reduced maintenance.
caterpillar
Caterpillar has highlighted its commitment to sustainability without sacrificing strength with the release of several energy-saving and zero-emissions products.
The R1700 XE — one underground mining electric charger — took center stage at the company’s stand. It fully recharges in less than 20 minutes, the company says her battery pack is the only battery on board in the sector.
The mining loader also features digital monitoring, color rearview video display and a self-filling bucket with a larger capacity and faster dump time. The The Cat MEC500 self-contained mobile equipment loader can be lifted or towed to the job site as an easy-to-install charging station for the loader and other Caterpillar equipment.
inQs
Japanese startup inQs won a CES 2024 Best Innovation Award and several Honorable Mentions for its SQPV Glass, a transparent glass that collects energy.
Solar glass converts natural or artificial light into electricity using layers of electricity-generating nanomaterials between outer layers of conductive glass. By collecting any amount of light from both sides of the glass, SQPV Glass works on cloudy days or in extreme low-light environments, according to the company. The product can be installed in a variety of ways, including typical fenestration, interior partitions, or outside existing windows, creating a heat shield in addition to a power source.
