Efficient and Connected Off-Road Machinery

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News
Image Logo
Published 2021-01-01
Point(s) of Contact
Organization(s) Parker
Where Cleveland OH
Display Yes
Press Release

This white paper explores both global and U.S. market trends that are driving new thinking, designs and technologies in Off-Road machinery.

Many of today’s construction equipment trends are the result of advancements in digital technology, some of which reduce skilled labor requirements:

  • Autonomous heavy equipment is now used to excavate, grade and perform a growing amount of work on construction sites.
  • Autonomous drones and rovers use cameras and LiDAR to perform scans of a job site; then use artificial intelligence to determine daily progress against the schedule and to identify any errors.
  • Specialized robots under human supervision can perform repetitive construction tasks such as bricklaying, painting, loading and tying rebar, with the ability to work nonstop.
  • The Internet of Things (IoT) enables a digitally integrated construction process and job site. It includes smart construction machines with sensors that collect and transmit data to each other and with their home base.
  • Predictive telematics and analytics send machine diagnostics alerts and other vital information to fleet managers and equipment owners for off-site management.

Growing demand for machine electrification in construction and other types of equipment continues to drive global development of new battery technologies.

  • OEMs are converting equipment from lead-acid to lithium batteries, which are 20%-30% more efficient.
  • Battery chargers are moving toward integration into the equipment they power.
  • One leading manufacturer recently introduced the first fully electric backhoe loader at CONEXPO 2020. This

machine is powered by a 480V, 90kWh lithium-ion battery pack, capable of working a typical 8-hour day on a single charge. The global market for compact construction equipment is forecast to grow from more than $10 billion in 2017 to more than $15 billion in 2025. The electrification of these machines is easier than on large construction equipment and is a growing trend. One global OEM has announced that it will stop producing its diesel-powered versions, converting to an all-electric product line. The company is promoting them as small, quiet, zero-emissions machines for use in cities and densely populated areas.