What are the top construction technology stories of 2022?

Technological trends in the industry are continuously changing the way manufacturers make products and the way end users work. As technology develops, construction equipment and projects are becoming more innovative. Here, Construction Technology looks back at five of the biggest technology stories in construction of 2022 so far.

According to Komatsu, users can streamline fleet management processes. (Photo: Komatsu)

5. Komatsu releases digital hub

In March, equipment manufacturer Komatsu announced the launch of a new digital hub that is said to allow contractors to interpret visual analyses of data collected from numerous sources.

My Komatsu uses data from Komtrax, Komtrax Plus, ISO API 15143-3 (AEMP 2.0) data from other OEMs, or other direct data sources and can be used on Komatsu and non-Komatsu machines.

The company say that by utilising the analytics of My Komatsu, users can streamline fleet management processes as well as reduce multiple IDs and passwords.

4. Site chosen for world’s first permanent electric road

Plans for the worlds first electric road were given the go ahead earlier this year, with Sweden’s transport administration Trafikverket confirming the E20 highway between the towns of Hallsberg and Örebro as the first site.

Once in use, the 21km section of road will have the capacity to charge trucks by using transformers and technology to transfer electricity to vehicles.

If successful, it is hoped that the project will help the country keep in line with its targets to cut emissions from transportation.

3. More funding put forward to transform excavators into robots

More investment has been put into a project led by construction company Built Robotics that aims to transform excavators into robots.

Investment firm Tiger Global became the latest company to become involved, with NEA, Founders Fund, Fifth Wall, and Building Ventures all providing investment previously.

Following the funding, which will be used to increase production, the company has now received US$112 million towards the project.

2. First digital twin of a country

2022 saw technology from Bentley Systems used to create what is believed to be the first digital twin of a whole country.

The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) was approached by GPS Lands Singapore, who proposed the technology to overcome issues with 2D maps which could not convey accurate GIS information of the nation.

Aircraft with laser-scanning capabilities were used to capture digital terrain and surface data while vehicle-mounted laser scans were used to improve map detail.

Having been verified, the mapping has now been distributed to government agencies for use.

1. Volvo CE tests world’s first prototype hydrogen hauler

Volvo CE starting testing on the world’s first fuel cell articulated hauler earlier this year, in a bid to gain insights into the possibilities provided by hydrogen and fuel cells.

Said to be the world’s first fuel cell articulated hauler prototype, the Volvo HX04

Although not commercially available, the company believe the Volvo HX04 could be available in the second half of the decade alongside other hydrogen-powered machines.

The machine itself is part of a research project funded by FFI, with Volvo CE collaborating with several contributors over the last four years.

The company say that the HX04 is charged with 12kg hydrogen in approximately seven and a half minutes and remains operational for four hours.