[CES 2024] HD Hyundai Vice Chair envisions the high-tech future of construction

HD Hyundai Vice Chairman Chung Ki-sun predicts the future of construction will be powered by full-fledged automation to advance efficiency and safety, urging the change-averse industry to embrace the shift, in a keynote address at CES 2024.

HD Hyundai Vice Chairman Chung Ki-sun presents an infrastructure innovation for human sustainability, "Xite Transformation," at a keynote of CES 2024 in Las Vegas, U.S., on Wednesday. [HD HYUNDAI]

HD Hyundai Vice Chairman Chung Ki-sun predicts the future of construction will be powered by full-fledged automation to advance efficiency and safety, urging the change-averse industry to embrace the shift, in a keynote address at CES 2024 on Wednesday.

Chung was the first person from a non-consumer electronics company in Korea to deliver a keynote address at CES. This year marked the third participation of HD Hyundai in the world's largest trade show.

“The construction industry has laid the foundation for human civilization, and yet it remains one of the slowest today when it comes to technology and innovation,” Chung said on Wednesday, pointing out that nearly one in five workplace deaths in the United States occur in construction.

“It's no exaggeration to say that on all fronts of our human security challenge — from food and health to the environment and now technology — without changing the way we build, we cannot change our future,” he added.

Chung introduced the forward-looking vision "Xite Transformation," to revolutionize smart construction sites by integrating technologies such as automation, digital twin, eco-friendly solutions, electrification and other advanced construction equipment technologies.

HD Hyundai's three primary goals, as outlined by Chung, include using digital technologies to enhance safety, utilizing advanced unmanned and automation technologies for increased productivity, and decarbonizing the construction industry while developing an energy value chain such as electrification.

To fulfill these objectives, "X-Wise," an AI platform designed to increase safety and efficiency in equipment management, will be implemented throughout all of HD Hyundai's business areas. The construction equipment equipped with the X-Wise platform will be connected in real-time and managed by an intelligent site management solution called "X-Wise Xite."

"Together, they represent an evolution in the very nature of our business, from a hardware-based equipment manufacturer to a software-driven solution provider," said Chung. "We're going to lead this historic transformation by building a new global ecosystem for open innovation working together with industry-leading partners."

HD Hyundai Vice Chairman Chung Ki-sun, left, shakes hands with Philip Moyer, Google Cloud AI Business Global Vice President, also a guest speaker on the keynote at CES 2024. [HD HYUNDAI]

Following Chung's opening speech, HD Hyundai's partnering companies and the Saudi Arabian government detailed their plans to bring HD Hyundai's new vision to fruition.

Winta Bereket, marketing manager at HD Hyundai Infracore North America, highlighted the application of AI technology on construction equipment and its role in enhancing safety and productivity for achieving site autonomy. Prof. Marco Hutter from Gravis Robotics shared insights into developing autonomous excavators, and Google Cloud Vice President Philip Moyer, along with Lee Jung-min from HD Hyundai, presented their collaborative road map with generative AI.

Lee Dong-wook, president and CTO of HD Hyundai XiteSolution, laid out the blueprint for realizing a fully autonomous site solution through intelligent construction equipment and X-Wise Xite, focusing on creating an environmentally friendly ecosystem.

The keynote speech concluded with Ghadah Alhamoud, international relations adviser at the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resource, Saudi Arabia, expressing expectations for Xite Transformation's contribution to NEOM and the Saudi Vision 2030.

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]