[CES 2024] HD Hyundai promises automated construction sites, driverless excavators by 2050

HD Hyundai unveiled a 14.8-foot fully automated excavator utilizing AI and machine learning at CES 2024, showcasing the future of autonomous construction sites with remote management capabilities.

A 4.5-meter excavator without a driver at HD Hyundai's booth on Tuesday at CES 2024 in Las Vegas. [SARAH CHEA]

LAS VEGAS — A massive 4.5-meter (14.8-foot) excavator devoid of a driver's seat grips visitors’ attention as they walk through the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The fully automated excavator detects obstacles, and its four independent wheels change their angle and height depending on the situation.

Managers do not have to be on-site; they can handle the equipment remotely at home.

This is what HD Hyundai believes the construction site will look like by 2050 — fully automated. HD Hyundai demonstrated its vision at a 991-square-meter booth at CES 2024, labeled with the theme “Xite Transformation.”

Singer G-Dragon experiences a VR program at HD Hyundai’s booth on Tuesday at CES 2024 in Las Vegas [NEWS1]

“We are accelerating to develop the displayed technologies by 2030 at the earliest and 2050 at the latest,” said Lee Dong-wook, CEO of HD Hyundai XiteSolution, during a media tour of the booth on Tuesday. “AI, once considered the rival of humans after AlphaGo, now coexists with humans and actually can help us.”

An 18-meter by 4.5-meter LED screen also showcased an “autonomous site” utilizing AI and machine learning to facilitate work plans.

Beyond displays, the exhibition included various demonstrations, including a wheel loader in Atlanta being controlled from a distance of approximately 3,000 kiilometers (1,864 miles).

Attendees also participated in hands-on experiences, operating a wheel loader through simulators and exploring the future construction site through virtual reality.

Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung, cousin of HD Hyundai Vice Chairman Chung Ki-sun, visited the booth Tuesday. Singer G-Dragon also accompanied the younger Chung to experience the VR program at the booth.

HD Hyundai's Chung is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at CES 2024 on Wednesday. He is the only chief of any Korean company to give such a speech at the trade show. Chung will “showcase how tech innovations are empowering Future Builders to change the way we build infrastructure,” according to the show's website.

BY SARAH CHEA,SEO JI-EUN [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]