[CES 2024] Jeong Gi-seon Keynote Speech "Building Smart Construction Sites... Leading the Innovation of Human Civilization"

Keynote Stage at CES After 3 Years
Expanding Innovation from Sea to Land

AI-Based 'X-Wise' Solution Debut
Global Speakers Including Google Executives and Gravis Founder
Promise of Open Innovation Collaboration

HD Hyundai Vice Chairman Jeong Ki-sun, who delivered the keynote speech at CES 2024, the world's largest electronics, home appliances, and information technology (IT) exhibition. Photo by HD Dae

"The innovation of HD Hyundai's sites (Xite·land) enhanced with advanced technologies such as AI, digital, and robotics will fundamentally change the way humanity builds the future, beyond just improving construction sites and equipment."

Jung Ki-sun, Vice Chairman of HD Hyundai, presented 'Site Transformation (Xite Transformation)'?a solution to humanity's sustainability challenges that transcends the limits of time and space?during his keynote speech at CES 2024, the world's largest electronics and IT exhibition held on the 10th (local time) in Las Vegas, USA. He became the first non-home appliance Korean company executive to deliver a keynote at CES. This marks HD Hyundai's third year participating in CES.

Announcing Three Major Goals: Safety, Unmanned Autonomy, and Decarbonization

'Xite' is an expanded concept of the physical construction site, 'Site.' It embodies the innovative will to realize smart construction sites for a better life for humanity by utilizing future technologies such as unmanned and autonomous construction equipment, digital twins, eco-friendly solutions, and electrification.

After three years of participating in CES, Vice Chairman Jung took the keynote stage with arms wide open. Applause erupted from the audience filling all 1,800 seats. He said, "The construction industry has laid the foundation of human civilization but has shown the slowest progress in technology and innovation," adding, "To solve issues threatening humanity's sustainable future?such as safety and security, supply chain establishment, and climate change?fundamental innovation in the construction industry based on advanced technology is necessary."

Vice Chairman Jung spoke fluently in English, stating, "From the moment humanity first began building houses, farms, and roads to constructing large cities like Las Vegas in the middle of the desert, the construction industry has provided all the foundations for our daily lives and workplaces. However, currently, the construction sector shows the slowest progress in technology and innovation."

He then announced three major innovation goals: ▲ensuring safety through digital technology ▲unmanned autonomy to improve productivity ▲building an energy value chain and decarbonization. He also unveiled for the first time the innovative technologies 'X-Wise' and 'X-Wise Xite' that will lead the achievement of this vision.

X-Wise is an artificial intelligence (AI) platform that maximizes the safety and efficiency of equipment operation, enabling unmanned autonomous work. It will be applied as a foundational technology across all of HD Hyundai's industrial solutions in the future. The intelligent site management solution that connects construction equipment equipped with this technology in real-time to build an optimal production infrastructure is called 'X-Wise Xite.'

Along with unmanned autonomy of construction sites through these two innovative technologies, HD Hyundai plans to lead open innovation based on partnerships with top-tier companies in the industry and build a new global ecosystem for a better life for humanity.

Jeong Gi-seon, Vice Chairman of HD Hyundai, is shaking hands with Philip Moyer, Vice President of Google Cloud AI Division Global, who joined him on the keynote stage at CES 2024, the world's largest electronics, home appliances, and information technology (IT) exhibition. Photo by HD Hyundai

HD Hyundai Partners with Google and Gravis, Advancing the Future of Construction Machinery

Following Vice Chairman Jung's opening speech, presentations from partner companies detailing HD Hyundai's vision continued. Winta Bereket, Marketing Manager at Develon, introduced HD Hyundai's technological capabilities that accelerate unmanned autonomy on sites with AI-applied construction equipment enhancing safety and efficiency.

Next, Marco Hutter, founder of Gravis Robotics, presented the development purpose of autonomous excavators originating from autonomous quadruped robots and the potential of construction equipment robots. Philip Moyer, Vice President of Google Cloud, who recently partnered with HD Hyundai, revealed a collaborative roadmap utilizing generative AI alongside HD Hyundai's Manager Lee Jung-min.

Lee Dong-wook, President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of HD Hyundai Site Solutions, who spoke as a presenter, explained HD Hyundai's sincerity and technological prowess toward creating an eco-friendly ecosystem, along with a blueprint for realizing a fully autonomous site solution through the combination of intelligent construction equipment and 'X-Wise Xite.'

Finally, Ghadah Alhamoud, International Relations Advisor at the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, expressed high expectations for HD Hyundai's Xite innovation contributing to the NEOM project and the achievement of 'Saudi Vision 2030.'

An HD Hyundai official stated, "Our land and maritime vision focuses on fulfilling the role of Future Builder announced at CES 2022," adding, "We will continue to strive relentlessly to present a new future for humanity together with the world's best partners."