Hyundai, Develon, Gravis Robotics and Holcim Redefine Autonomous Machinery
HD Hyundai XiteSolution (HDX), the powerhouse behind HD Hyundai Infracore and the ever-evolving Develon brand, has just thrown down the gauntlet for autonomous machinery in construction.
The recent announcement of its strategic partnership with Switzerland’s Gravis Robotics AG and global building materials giant Holcim Inc. marks an ambitious leap forward for the sector. The agreement isn’t just another corporate handshake—it’s a bold commitment to reimagining productivity, safety, and sustainability in some of the world’s most demanding work environments: quarries and confined material handling sites.
This partnership zeroes in on the real-world challenges faced in quarry operations, from the heavy lifting of blasted rock to precision feeding of crushers, and right through to the intricate management of stockyards and aggregate plants. But why does this matter now? In the race to future-proof construction and materials handling, autonomous technology offers a tantalising prospect: streamlined workflows, safer sites, and a greener footprint.
From Vision to Reality
HDX and Gravis Robotics aren’t strangers to technological breakthroughs. By integrating Develon’s robust equipment with Gravis’ forward-thinking robotics, the duo aims to implement autonomous machinery across Holcim’s global operations. At the heart of the mission: transforming how materials are moved, processed, and stored.
Among the highlighted focus areas:
- Loading trucks with blasted rock for efficient transportation
- Feeding mobile crushers and screeners with pinpoint accuracy
- Confined material handling at both asphalt and aggregate plants
- Orchestrating stockyard logistics to optimise material flow and storage
This isn’t just about robots for robots’ sake. As Holcim’s teams put it: “The integration of autonomous systems enables us to boost output and consistency while putting safety and sustainability at the centre of operations.” It’s a compelling argument, especially when the world demands more output, faster delivery, and eco-conscious processes.
The Future Engine of Quarry Operations
For Holcim, the value proposition is clear. Its global portfolio of material quarrying and processing sites serves as a test bed for automation at scale. The idea is simple but powerful—reduce the number of boots on the ground, crank up consistency and output, and wring every drop of efficiency from the fleet.
As a Holcim executive noted: “By harnessing autonomous technology, we can refine machine selection, making choices based not just on cost but on optimal performance for the job at hand.” In other words, smarter machines mean smarter operations.
HDX and Gravis, meanwhile, are doubling down on their commitment to not just develop but deploy these cutting-edge solutions. That includes on-the-ground support, rigorous field trials, and a rollout plan that targets commercial scale and real-world results for all stakeholders.
Concept-X, Concept-X2 and Beyond
The story wouldn’t be complete without a nod to Develon’s restless innovation streak. The journey began with Concept-X, the futuristic platform first unveiled in 2019, which showed the world that remote and autonomous construction gear wasn’t science fiction.
Next came Concept-X2, showcased at Conexpo 2023, which took things a step further by removing the cab altogether. It was, as one industry commentator put it: “A wake-up call to the industry, demonstrating how far automation had come and how quickly things were moving.” Now, the world awaits the debut of Real X at Bauma, promising a leap in AI-driven excavation—trenching, earthmoving, truck loading—the works. What sets Real X apart? It gives operators a choice: switch between autonomous, remote, or classic joystick modes with ease.
For Develon, the endgame is clear. Real X is designed to accelerate safe, productive, and predictive excavation while keeping an eye on the sustainability ball. As the company sees it: “Autonomous technology should be about empowering people, not replacing them—making worksites safer, smarter, and more sustainable.”
Swiss Precision Meets Construction Ambition
Gravis Robotics, based in Switzerland and spun out of university research, brings over a decade of expertise in construction robotics to the table. This isn’t their first rodeo—they’ve been quietly pushing boundaries and building a reputation for scalable, AI-powered solutions tailored for rugged environments.
Their new alliance with HDX is more than just a meeting of minds. By blending Gravis’ tech innovation with Develon’s global reach and mechanical engineering prowess, the partnership is laser-focused on fast-tracking autonomous excavators to the marketplace. Notably, having a key development partner within Europe should make it easier to tailor solutions to local regulations and customer needs—a win for everyone involved.
As Gravis’s CEO said in a recent interview: “Collaborating with HDX enables us to bring next-generation solutions to the industry much faster and with greater impact.”
A Win for the Construction Ecosystem
Beyond the immediate players, the ripple effects are set to benefit the wider construction ecosystem. Machine operators gain access to safer, more ergonomic technology. Site managers get real-time data to optimise workflows. Investors, meanwhile, can see the appeal of scalable solutions with sustainability built in from the start.
What’s more, as the technology matures, smaller contractors and regional players could gain access to the same high-end automation tools, levelling the playing field across the sector.
Scaling Up, Greening Up, and Powering On
The real test will be in the rollout. HDX, Gravis, and Holcim have made clear that commercial viability at scale is the goal. This means close collaboration with end-users, open lines of feedback, and an iterative approach to development and deployment.
In a nutshell, automation in quarrying isn’t just a pipe dream—it’s here, and it’s scaling fast. As construction companies seek new ways to boost productivity and meet the world’s growing infrastructure demands, partnerships like this point the way to a smarter, safer, and more sustainable future.
A New Dawn for Autonomous Construction
Autonomous construction technology is stepping out of the labs and onto worksites worldwide. Thanks to visionary partnerships and a relentless drive for better, the sector is poised for an era of unprecedented innovation.
If HDX, Gravis Robotics, and Holcim are anything to go by, the best is yet to come.
