During the recent bauma Media Dialog—in which journalists and show exhibitors are brought together to discuss products and trends on hand at the show in April—it was clear to see that the continually growing trend of digitalization will be among the highlights at bauma 2019.
Organizers of the show, Messe Munchen, have announced that several companies will have a focus on digitalization. “The digitization of the construction industry is becoming increasingly important. Many construction machines are already equipped with communication interfaces that provide comprehensive data, e.g. on location and consumption. This development is also reflected at bauma 2019,” said Mareile Kästner, Project Manager at bauma in a recent press release about the show.
The media dialog event was kicked off by Klaus Dittrich, Chairman and CEO of Messe Munchen, discussing a recent survey conducted by the organization. Between June 13 and August 10, 2018, it surveyed 10,000 industry executives from around the world—all in leading, decision-making positions—to gain a perspective on current trends within the industry.
This industry barometer found the level of investment in the construction industry is very high across the globe and expected to continue over the next few years. Forty-four percent of respondents said they are planning to increase investment levels for their company in the future. Africa, Asia, Australia and Oceania are the regions with the most optimism regarding current and future investments. In Europe, Dittrich said 44% expect to increase future investment development, and in Germany 39% anticipate increases. Only 3-4% expect investment levels to decrease in coming years. “That means the above-average investments illustrate [a] positive mindset regarding economic development of the industry despite concerns with regards to Brexit or trade restrictions,” he said. “[It] also demonstrate the willingness to make above-average investments [which are] required to remain competitive.”
See the full Industry Barometer.
3D terrain mapping by ITK Engineering detects people and objects in rough terrain and alerts the driver to potential hazards.ITK Engineering
Of those surveyed, 26% said research into the field of digital networking was taking place within their companies. Over half of respondents said they have already digitized parts of their company or have at least started doing so. Twenty-two percent are still waiting and 20% currently see no need for action. “Only 4% believe they are leading the way in terms of digitalization,” said Dittrich.
He noted that digitalization plays a role in and out of the production process for no more than 34% of respondents. Only 14% use cloud- or web-based services, and 26% indicated the topic of digital networking is not on their agenda for the future. While digitalization is an important and growing trend, Dittrich said many companies are struggling with its implementation—as evidenced by the survey results—and that there is clearly some incongruency between the importance of research into and actual development of digital products.
Despite the challenges, digitalization is slowly making its way into the industry and will be evident at this year’s show in Munich. “At bauma 2019, visitors can see state-of-the-art excavators, cranes and bulldozers [that] can be equipped with a broad range of sensors and communication interfaces,” said Dittrich. “The data that is produced and analyzed makes it possible to check the machinery on job performance, fuel consumption and locations; to define predictive maintenance to more precisely determine operating costs; entire fleets can be managed by telematics. Digitalization also facilitates efforts to automate work processes, an increasingly important factor in light of the shortage of skilled workers faced by the industry.”
bauma’s virtual reality experience will be one of the ways the show itself demonstrates the digitalization capabilities within the industry.
Digitalization in action
Today, almost everything from bearings to engines to tires (read the article "Smarter Tire Technologies" to learn more) have become smarter and more connected through the use of sensors, CAN communication, telematics and the Internet of Things (IoT). Use of these digital components not only make products smarter, but also enable efficiency improvements.
During bauma, Hydroline will exhibit its predictive maintenance technology for hydraulic cylinders, LEO (Lifecycle Efficiency Online). Designed for both OEM and aftermarket customers, LEO uses a proprietary algorithm to analyze lifecycle data collected directly from the cylinder via built-in sensors. This helps end users to plan potential maintenance while providing OEMs information on how the cylinders are actually being used to aid them in their future designs. The system can monitor one or several cylinders in a piece of heavy machinery.
Hydroline's LEO predictive maintenance technology is integrated directly onto a hydraulic cylinder to collect performance data.Hydroline Oy
SIKO will be debuting the next models in its line of wire-actuated encoders, the SG61 and SG121. The new encoders are feature compact, yet sturdy designs for use in harsh operating environments, and include a new conical shape wire outlet with Wire-Flex technology to minimize wear on the encoder’s wire, even if pulled out at an angle. CAN communication capabilities enable connectivity with vehicle systems to aid data collection. Read more about SIKO and other companies’ smart sensor technologies in the article “Smarter Sensors Enable More Intelligent Fluid Power Systems.”
Eaton will exhibit several of its “smart” components, such as its CAN-enabled CMA valve designed to provide and maintain precise control for all load conditions. The technology can be paired with other Eaton components to aid aspects such as boom stability; the company will highlight this capability on a demonstrator at its booth during the show.
An aspect of the industry’s increasing digitalization is the growing use and improvement of safety systems, including lighting, cameras and proximity detection systems. This trend within the industry will also be seen during bauma. 
For the next generation of ProViu 360, the images are three times sharper than in the first generation of the system.Continental
Continental, for instance, will introduce the next generation of its ProViu 360 surround view system which will now provide images in HD. In addition, it will be capable of fusing together camera images and sensor information to better analyze the area around a vehicle and alert operators to any potential collisions or objects in the way.
ITK Engineering will exhibit for the first time at bauma 2019, and introduce its camera-based 3D terrain mapping application designed to provide object detection in areas where visibility is poor. The company says such systems can be composed of, for example, digital stereo camera systems paired with specially developed algorithms to locate objects of any size in the terrain, in three dimensions, and with precision. In addition, it can provide manufacturer-independent solutions.
An application example of HELLA's SL60 LED, one of the VISIOTECH projection technology models.HELLA
HELLA will also exhibit its intelligent battery sensors which continually measure voltage, current and temperature to keep vehicle owners aware of battery charge levels and any signs of aging.
As a means of connecting compact equipment to the Internet of Things (IoT), Hatz will introduce its E1 technology. It consists of an electronically-controlled fuel injection system and digital control unit for single-cylinder engines. With our new E1 technology, Hatz offers the platform for the next logical step, for the first time integrating machines with small engines into the advancing world of digitization," said Bernhard Richter-Schützeneder, Director Sales and Marketing at Hatz, in a press release announcing the technology debut.
This is of course only a sampling of the many technologies set to be introduced during this year’s bauma. More can be found on our website by searching bauma 2019. Or look for the upcoming supplemental blog post, which focuses on the various electrification technologies being introduced during bauma 2019.
And be sure to look for our upcoming January/February and March issues for more news leading up to the show, as well as our April/May issue featuring post-show coverage. And starting March 1, our dedicated bauma channel will go live; there you’ll be able to find all bauma-related news in one spot.
Will you be attending the show? What technologies or products are you most looking forward to seeing? Let us know! And if you’ll be at the show and want to meet with the OEM staff, let us know that too or stop by our booth, EOE.08/A.
