Hyundai Construction Equipment Launches Korea's First Semi-Autonomous Machine Control Excavator

[Asia Economy Reporter Suyeon Woo] Hyundai Construction Equipment has launched the first excavator in Korea equipped with advanced control technology called 'Machine Control.'

Hyundai Construction Equipment announced on the 7th that it delivered the recently developed semi-autonomous Machine Control excavator to its first customer. This launch is significant as it is the first commercialization of 'Machine Control' applied to excavators in Korea, accelerating the era of 'autonomous excavators.'

The Machine Control excavator uses digital sensors and an electro-hydraulic system to provide real-time information to the operator about the excavator's posture and work points, performing tasks such as leveling, pipeline work, and excavation semi-automatically.

Additionally, without the need for separate surveying personnel, the operator can simply input the desired depth or slope of the work, and the machine automatically detects the ground elevation to carry out the task. This is expected to improve work efficiency by more than 30%, shortening construction periods and reducing costs at work sites, while also lowering the risk of safety accidents.

Hyundai Construction Equipment Excavator Equipped with Machine Control / Photo by Hyundai Construction Equipment

Hyundai Construction Equipment has secured core technology for 'Machine Control,' a key technology in the rapidly growing smart construction sector, enhancing price competitiveness. Through this, the company plans to actively respond to the increasing demand in the smart construction equipment market. A Hyundai Construction Equipment official stated, "We will continue technological innovation, including deploying autonomous excavators on sites, to lead the future smart construction field."

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the global smart construction market is expected to grow at an average annual rate of about 12% from approximately $10 billion in 2016 to 2025. Hyundai Construction Equipment developed and commercialized the 'Machine Guidance' excavator, a precursor to Machine Control, in 2019, and is accelerating technology development in the smart construction equipment field, including commercializing Korea's first unmanned forklift that operates autonomously.