Volvo CE look to the future

Concepts and innovations from electromobility to intelligent machines unveiled at Xploration Forum

HUNDREDS of Volvo Construction Equipment’s customers along with members of the international press, government representatives and academics have been given an exclusive look at a host of ground-breaking technology that has the potential to transform the quarrying industry.

Key highlights at Volvo CE’s Xploration Forum event, which took place in Eskilstuna, Sweden, from 9–14 September 2016, included: the unveiling of the LX1 prototype hybrid wheel loader – a machine with the potential to improve fuel efficiency by up to 50%; demonstrations of a prototype autonomous wheel loader and articulated hauler working together; and an electric site solution that showcased the new-concept HX1 autonomous, battery-electric, load carrier.

The electric site project aims to transform the quarrying and aggregates sector by reducing carbon emissions by up to 95% and total cost of ownership by up to 25%. All of the innovations shown at the Xploration Forum were part of ongoing research projects that are not commercially available at this stage.

‘In line with the Volvo Group’s vision to be the most desired and successful transport solution provider in the world, Volvo CE are committed to contributing to sustainable development,’ commented Martin Weissburg, member of the Volvo Group executive board and president of Volvo CE.

‘At Volvo CE, we are developing technologies connected to electromobility, intelligent machines and total site solutions that will benefit our customers and the environment by contributing to increased machine performance, productivity, efficiency, safety and sustainability. Our future products and services will play an important part in building a sustainable society.’

He continued: ‘Volvo CE are at the forefront of technological development. Each year, the Volvo Group invests billions of Swedish Kronor in research and development to drive the evolution of new innovations. And although this technology may be years away from – or may never enter – production, it will undoubtedly influence our future offering and has the potential to transform the construction industry as we know it. The progress our engineers are making is exciting.’

The Xploration Forum, which builds on the Innovation Forum Volvo CE held in 2013, was designed to underscore the company’s position as the innovation pioneer of the construction equipment industry.

‘We’ve set ourselves four key technology challenges that we call Triple Zero and 10x: zero emissions, zero accidents, zero unplanned stops and 10 times higher efficiency,’ explained Mr Weissburg. ‘We believe that our clear focus on electromobility, intelligent machines and total site solutions will help us achieve these ambitious goals and pave the way for a sustainable construction industry.’

• Zero emissions: Zero emission machines will help make customers’ businesses more environmentally sustainable
• Zero accidents: With pioneering safety innovations, machines could instinctively avoid accidents – generating a completely safe working environment
• Zero unplanned stops: A world without machine breakdowns, where machines predict and plan their own maintenance – making unplanned stops a thing of the past
• 10x higher efficiency: The electrification of construction equipment and site optimization will dramatically reduce energy consumption.

The innovations shown at the Xploration Forum were presented under the umbrella of ‘Volvo Concept Lab’ – a new Volvo Group initiative. From now on, Volvo-branded companies within the Volvo Group will showcase their research and development projects under this technology communication platform.

‘At the Volvo Group, we want to show our customers, journalists, government representatives and members of the public the exciting projects we’re working on,’ said Mr Weissburg. ‘Volvo Concept Lab will showcase ideas, innovations and collaborations that could potentially lead to future products and solutions – exactly like those Volvo CE presented at the Xploration Forum.’