Volvo Xploration Forum Showcases Futuristic Equipment Concepts

Volvo Construction Equipment showcased a range of futuristic concepts and innovations from electromobility to intelligent machines and total site solutions at the company’s Xploration Forum in Eskilstuna, Sweden. Hundreds of customers, press, government representatives and academics were given an exclusive look at a host of ground-breaking technologies.

Highlights of the event included the unveiling of the LX1 prototype hybrid wheel loader, a machine with the potential to improve fuel efficiency by up to 50 percent; demonstrations of a prototype autonomous wheel loader and articulated hauler working together; and an electric site solution that showcased the new concept HX1 autonomous, battery-electric, load carrier. The electric site project aims to transform the quarry and aggregates industry by reducing carbon emissions by up to 95 percent and total cost of ownership by up to 25 percent.

All of the innovations shown at the Xploration Forum are ongoing research projects that aren’t commercially available at this stage.

“In line with the Volvo Group’s vision to be the most desired and successful transport solution provider in the world, Volvo CE is committed to contributing to sustainable development,” said Martin Weissburg, Volvo CE president. “At Volvo CE we are developing technologies connected to electromobility, intelligent machines and total site solutions that will benefit our customers and the environment by contributing to increased machine performance, productivity, efficiency, safety and sustainability. Our future products and services will play an important part in building a sustainable society.

“Each year, the Volvo Group invests billions of Swedish Kronor in research and development to drive the evolution of new innovations. We organize events such as the Xploration Forum because we want to share our exciting projects and concepts with the world. Although this technology may be years away from – or may never enter – production, it will undoubtedly influence our future offering and has the potential to transform the construction industry as we know it.”

The Xploration Forum builds on the Innovation Forum Volvo CE held in 2013.

“We’ve set ourselves four key technology challenges that we call Triple Zero and 10x: zero emissions, zero accidents, zero unplanned stops and 10x higher efficiency,” said Weissburg. “We believe that our clear focus on electromobility, intelligent machines and total site solutions will help us achieve these ambitious goals and pave the way for a sustainable construction industry.”

The innovations shown were presented under the umbrella of ‘Volvo Concept Lab,’ a new Volvo Group initiative.

“At the Volvo Group we want to show our customers, journalists, government representative and members of the public the exciting projects we’re working on,” said Weissburg. “Volvo Concept Lab will showcase ideas, innovations and collaborations that could potentially lead to future products and solutions.”