Rajiv Chaturvedi
Vice President, HD Hyundai Construction Equipment India
What are the cutting-edge innovations from the company to address the execution challenges of large-scale infrastructure and mining projects?
HD Hyundai is engineering equipment that cater to the needs of large-scale projects like highways, metro rail systems, tunneling, mining, railways, and mega-industrial developments. The company’s products focus on safety, productivity, and sustainability in response to the construction industry's demand for high-tech, high-performance machines.
We focus on bringing in innovations in our products which add value to our customers. For example, our HX520L mining excavator features Intelligent Power Control (IPC), offering three fuel-efficient modes, significantly reducing fuel consumption without compromising power.
To mitigate the harsh conditions in large scale infra projects, we built our excavators with a reinforced undercarriage and high-tensile steel, making it ideal for extreme conditions, ensuring longer machine life. And to ensure reduced downtime, we have Hi-MATE & Hi-TRACK, remote management systems which provide AI-powered predictive maintenance to reduce unplanned downtime, enabling proactive fixes before problems cause delays, thereby maintaining high operational efficiency.
We equally focus on operator comfort and safety and same is demonstrated in all our products. Our HL930I and HL950I wheel loaders are perfect example of the same. Both wheel loaders feature climate-controlled cabins and enhanced visibility to minimize operator fatigue.
We are equally working on having a sustainable future. A perfect example of the same is our HX35Az mini excavator which is compliant with Tier-4 emissions standards, and the HL930I and HL950I wheel loaders will feature BS-V engines by 2025, ensuring minimal environmental impact through reduced emissions.
How do these innovations accelerate project delivery and reduce costs? How is your company leveraging AI, IoT, and autonomous systems to enhance efficiency, safety, and timelines?
HD Hyundai’s focus on fuel-efficient engines, advanced cooling systems, and auto-idle features results in significant savings on operational costs, especially for long-term projects. This is very important for our customer to keep a check on the project cost.
Our AI-powered predictive maintenance tools Hi-MATE & Hi-TRACK allow for real-time data analytics, enabling predictive maintenance to anticipate wear and reduce unexpected downtime. This keeps machines running at peak performance, minimizing delays and associated costs.
At global level, we have started working on autonomous systems for enhanced productivity. Autonomous capabilities and IoT integration will help HD Hyundai's machines to perform tasks like earthmoving and material handling with minimal human intervention. This accelerates project timelines and reduces errors, enhancing overall project efficiency. We have not kept any timeline yet to launch the autonomous system yet. But we will be keen to bring it in India as soon as possible.
How are you overcoming barriers such as price competitiveness, tariffs, logistics, and local content regulations in key export markets?
HD Hyundai addresses global market challenges through strategic shipment planning, establishing stockpiles in key locations, and leveraging long-term relationships with shipping agents. To maintain competitiveness:
• Focus on machinery with advanced features that clearly differentiate HD Hyundai from competitors.
• Virtual Training Tools ensure consistent and efficient skill development across regions.
The company’s product development process is closely aligned with real-world customer applications, reducing
manufacturing lead times and improving delivery efficiency.
How is your company optimizing manufacturing processes and addressing supply chain issues?
HD Hyundai moving towards Industry 4.0. The company added robotic welding, electric torque tools and many other latest technologies to enhance production precision, cut errors, and increase efficiency. These measures help reduce overall production costs.
By strengthening partnerships with local suppliers and adopting a lean manufacturing approach, HD Hyundai reduces dependence on imports, mitigating supply chain disruptions and supporting the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Also, eco-conscious measures and energy optimization strategies have helped reduce utility costs, bolstering the company’s ability to maintain cost-effective manufacturing without compromising quality.
How does your participation at bauma India 2024 reflect the 'Innovation for Nation Building,' theme, and what specific innovations are you showcasing that align with this theme?
At bauma CONEXPO INDIA 2024, HD Hyundai showcases innovations that align with India’s vision of becoming a ‘Viksit Bharat’. Through cutting-edge equipment, the company contributes to nation-building by enhancing infrastructure development across the country. Our products are equipped with the cutting-edge technologies and we are utilizing BAUMA as a platform to launch new products and variants of existing models. Each of our product is designed on the company philosophy of “building a comfortable tomorrow” by bringing in new innovations in our product.
Innovations on display are as follows:
Mining excavator: HX520L, HX380 & HX360 Offers superior fuel efficiency and robust performance for large scale mining applications.
Infrastructure excavator range: We have displayed our highest selling 8T to 20T machines which are creating new benchmarks in the segment.
Mini excavators for urban infrastructure: Compact, maneuverable, and ideal for precision work in urban projects like metro systems and road construction.
Next-gen wheel loaders: Built for heavy-duty applications, these loaders feature high performance and a focus on operator comfort, with BS-V engines to reduce emissions.
Through these innovations, HD Hyundai demonstrates its commitment to supporting India’s infrastructure growth under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, delivering high-performance solutions that accelerate nation-building.
