Capital Equipment News August 2018

so that everyone can access relevant information both on-and-off the site. If customers’ financial teams can get live data directly from the machine or from a construction/mining site in terms of how much material is there, its worth and asset costs, then that will provide real value. If we start employing smart machines on construction sites, then their real value comes when we use connectivity and cloud computing to help us get meaningful information from them. At a corporate level, what should companies be doing to prepare themselves for the future? Companies can no longer develop technologies in isolation. It is all about being able to migrate technologies across different divisions and operational group. Volvo is a good example of a group of business areas that has done a lot with electric buses and is now taking a more strategic look at electrification across all its businesses, including Volvo Trucks and Volvo Construction Equipment. After all, there’s no point developing electric solutions at great time and expense and not sharing that insight and technology in areas where it may also have benefits. b

ALASTAIR’S BACKGROUND

Alastair Hayfield has over 10 years’ experience leading research activities in scaled, high-growth industrial and technology markets. Most recently, he led IHS Markit’s automotive technology and mobility practice, where he oversaw research activities for a team of 20 focusing on two automotive megatrends: vehicle autonomy and the emergence of mobility as a service. At Interact Analysis, Hayfield is responsible for a variety of topics including commercial and agricultural drones.

Alastair Hayfield, research director at Interact Analysis.

automation and an ageing construction workforce which may lead to a shortage of labour in the coming years. How will the Internet of Things (IoT) allow us to make full use of these new technologies? The IoT will help bring all these technologies together. We need seamless integration of data between machines and applications

initiative to increase the use of technology in the construction industry, including the use of UAVs. This initiative is driven by a need to increase productivity through

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS AUGUST 2018 51