JCB has pioneered in integrating smart technologies such as IoT and Big Data

Our intelligent range of machines is more productive and more fuel-efficient with better uptime.

Jasmeet Singh, AVP, Corporate Communications JCB India

What is the current status of the road sector and how do you foresee the future trends in road construction?  

India has second largest road networks in the world, spanning a total of 5.5 million kilometres. As per the reports, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has fixed a target for construction of 12,000 km national highways in FY20.      

If we see the trends of roads construction, it is mainly focused on the government projects, ease and economy of traffic movements, road safety, and use of advanced technology, funding, and focus on environment.  Also, nowadays enhanced road user facilities is a focus are globally. In addition to this, many technological initiatives have been adopted by the government. For example, FASTag, digital platform has been launched for purchase of tag and top up of FASTags.          

Currently, the focus is mainly on construction of roads and highways. However, we foresee a gradual shift in the coming years, to facilitation of efficient operations, road maintenance and enhancement of services for road users. We are hopeful that this will be carried out in a sustainable manner, considering the increase in green initiatives and focus on e-mobility by the government and industry players.           

How do you assess the scope and potential for digitalizing road construction, especially NHAI projects? 

To achieve the ambitious target of the $5 trillion economy by 2024 set by our Prime Minister, digitisation will play an essential role. Digital technologies such as 'Internet of Things' and 'Big Data' have ushered in a new era of innovation in the Indian business landscape, today.           

The Indian construction equipment industry too is embracing the adoption of digital technologies. NHAI & MoRTH have been continuously working on improving internal processes through various digital initiatives to reduce cost and time of road construction. From planning / preparedness to construction and O&M phase, from improving services for passenger and freight transport to road safety, all areas have potential for technology integration.               

Many such technologies have been adopted, such as the Project Management Information System, developed by NHAI, which is currently used to monitor road construction projects across geographies in India. Some other digital initiatives introduced by the government authorities for road building and construction include- INAM-Pro (Platform for Infrastructure and Materials Providers), a web based application for infrastructure and materials providers, electronic toll collection through Fastags to reduce congestion at toll plazas, SukhadYatra, an interactive mobile application to empower national highways user with relevant information and Bidder Information Management System (BIMS) to streamline the process of pre-qualification of bidders for EPC / HAM / BOT mode of contracts for all national highway works with enhanced transparency and objectivity.               

Digitisation will continue to transform manufacturing processes around the world leveraging technologies such as IoT, artificial intelligence, advanced robotics, etc. Concepts such as Industry 4.0 and Smart Factory, which interconnect the shop-floor ecosystem through emerging technologies, would also soon become a reality.           

Brief us on the innovative contributions from JCB India in revolutionising road construction through innovative digital / smart platforms?

JCB has pioneered in integrating smart technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data in its 'Intelli' series construction equipment. Through its smart road construction solutions, it is committed to contributing and expediting the building of roads and highways in both, rural and urban India.    

As a full-range infrastructure equipment provider, JCB India manufactures over 60 different technologically-advanced products in eight different categories which include backhoe loaders, excavators, compactors, telehandlers, wheeled loaders, skid steer loader, mini excavators, and diesel generators. Our intelligent range of machines is more productive and more fuel-efficient with better uptime. These smart machines exhibit the blend of technology and digital innovation to build India's next-gen infrastructure.     

All of JCB's machines are equipped with LiveLink, a revolutionary advanced telematics technology unique to JCB that enables remote machine management and monitoring. The technology helps increase productivity, controls cost and ensures asset safety. Through LiveLink we have digitally connected over 1,30,000 JCB machines across the country. JCB has been the first equipment manufacturer to introduce this facility in India.             

We also have a state-of-the-art LiveLink Command Centre at our Ballabgarh (Delhi-NCR) facility that helps us stay connected with our customers 24X7. Our dealerships have also set up similarLiveLink command centres for uninterrupted and seamless fleet management.           

Further, JCB India's SmartServe, an internal tool for service requirements, service engineers and service jobs, acts as a backbone of JCB's customer support network. Additionally, another of JCB's mobile application enables the online purchase of JCB's genuine product parts.            

What are the major challenges in adopting such advanced IoT/embedded sensor based technologies in the design and construction of roads? 

The Indian construction equipment industry is significantly embracing the convergence of digital and traditional technologies, robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), data analytics, telematics being a few digital solutions disrupting the space. Certainly, the integration of production techniques with the latest technological developments has the potential to make infrastructure development more efficient.           

However a major challenge that we face is lack of a fully developed technology-compliant industry ecosystem. While manufacturers like JCB India are trying to continuously innovate and, update and upgrade the technology in the machines, the suppliers, dealers and even customers have not up-to-date to the technological advancements. Hence, to drive faster and greater adoption of IOT / embedded sensor based technology or any other innovation, the entire supply chain needs to be made technologically updated and sound.               

The industry also lacks the required skill set to operate/work with the advanced machines being manufactured in India. At JCB India, we look at these challenges as opportunities to contribute to the overall development of the industry.

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