Doosan unveils carbon-free, sustainable energy technologies

AT450X [Courtesy of Doosan Bobcat]

South Korea’s Doosan Group showcased an array of carbon-free and sustainable energy technologies at CES 2024 on Tuesday.

It held a press conference at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas to introduce carbon-free energy solutions, AI robots, and small heavy equipment with unmanned automation technology.

Compact construction equipment maker Doosan Bobcat unveiled the AT450X, the industry’s first AI-powered unmanned electric tractor. Developed in collaboration with Silicon Valley software company Agtonomy, Doosan Bobcat highlighted AT450X’s ability narrow and steep vineyards autonomously, which received high acclaim at the event. The company also showcased the ‘S7X,’ a fully electric skid loader that won two CES Innovation Awards, the ‘LOG X2,’ an unmanned concept loader eliminating the operator’s seat, and an unmanned lawnmower.

Doosan Enerbility announced plans for carbon-free energy solutions involving hydrogen turbines, small modular reactors (SMRs), and wind power generation.

According to Doosan Enerbility, converting fuel for gas power plants to hydrogen could significantly reduce carbon emissions by 23 percent, representing a substantial shift in global power production.

The company, which is developing hydrogen co-firing and hydrogen combustor turbines, revealed its vision to develop the world’s first 400-megawatt-class extra-large hydrogen combustor turbine by 2027 to reduce carbon emissions.

Leveraging its competitiveness in large nuclear power plant projects, the company also expressed ambitions to establish itself as an SMR foundry.

U.S.-based HyAxiom, a Doosan Corporation subsidiary, unveiled a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer system with a world-class energy efficiency based on its foundational technology for hydrogen fuel cells.

Doosan Robotics introduced evolved robot solutions through AI technology, demonstrating cooperative robots capable of intricately mimicking human movements and executing tasks based on their learning, prediction, and judgment capabilities.

During the event, recycling solution ‘Oscar the Sorter’ displayed its ability to learn and classify objects including paper cups, plastic containers, and cans.

Doosan Robotics explained that its in-house software platform ‘DART Suite’ enables developers and users to operate robots easily, akin to using a smartphone.