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Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Cover Story September 2024

Interaction – V. G. Sakthikumar, CMD, Schwing Stetter India September 2024



SCHWING Stetter India is constantly developing and upgrading its cutting-edge technologies to stay ahead of competition. In an exclusive interview to CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES, V. G. SAKTHIKUMAR, CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, SCHWING STETTER INDIA, speaks about the current trends in technology, cutting-edge technological upgrades in his company’s
machines and future trends.

The integration of advanced technologies like telematics, AI, and IoT has completely transformed the construction and infrastructure domain. These technologies have introduced unprecedented levels of efficiency and control, enabling real-time monitoring of equipment, predictive maintenance, and better resource allocation. With telematics, managers can track machine performance, fuel consumption, and maintenance schedules remotely, optimizing costs and productivity. AI, on the other hand, assists in data analysis, helping identify trends and potential bottlenecks, allowing for smarter, data-driven decision-making. This has dramatically reduced downtime, increased machine uptime, and improved overall project execution timelines.

Our machines are equipped with state-of-the-art telematics systems, AI-driven analytics, and automated operational features. Telematics offers real-time data on fuel usage, engine performance, and location tracking.

AI-enabled diagnostics provide predictive maintenance alerts, ensuring that machines are serviced before critical failures occur. For our end users, these digital technologies translate into improved equipment uptime, reduced operational costs, and enhanced safety on job sites. Additionally, the ability to monitor machines remotely reduces the need for on-site personnel, cutting labor costs and ensuring precise control over project execution.

The use of telematics and AI significantly enhances productivity by reducing machine downtime and improving fuel efficiency. Real-time data allows operators to optimize machine usage, while predictive maintenance prevents unexpected breakdowns, ensuring smooth operations. This directly lowers the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) by extending the lifespan of equipment and minimizing repair costs. To support this, we conduct regular operator training programs through our training centers, ensuring that users are well-versed in handling the technology. We also provide digital tutorials and remote support to ensure they can maximize machine performance effectively.

These technologies have revolutionized our aftermarket services by enabling proactive service models. With real-time data from telematics, we can monitor the health of machines and offer predictive maintenance services, reducing the likelihood of equipment failure. This allows us to provide timely spare part replacements and preemptively schedule maintenance, minimizing downtime for our customers. AI-driven analytics have also allowed us to create more customized service packages based on the unique operating conditions of each machine, enhancing overall customer satisfaction and improving equipment longevity.

Adopting advanced technologies comes with its own set of challenges. One of the key issues is the availability of reliable vendors who can offer customized software solutions tailored to the specific needs of the construction industry. Additionally, integrating these technologies into legacy systems can be complex and time-consuming. For small and medium users, the cost of adoption and unfamiliarity with these technologies can be a barrier. We address these challenges by offering scalable solutions that can be customized to different operational sizes and by ensuring seamless integration between new technologies and existing systems.

Data security is a priority in all our telematics and AI-driven systems. We use end-to-end encryption for data transmission and storage, ensuring that sensitive information is protected from cyber threats. Additionally, we have implemented redundant backup systems to ensure that no data is lost in the event of connectivity issues. Our systems are designed to store data locally and upload it to the cloud once a stable connection is re-established, ensuring that our customers have access to a complete set of operational data at all times, without any risk of data loss.

While telematics is becoming common, our unique approach lies in the integration of AI and predictive analytics, offering insights that go beyond basic monitoring. Our USP is not just in the collection of data, but in turning that data into actionable intelligence that drives decision-making for the user. We also offer customized solutions for different industries and project sizes, ensuring that our customers have the right technology for their specific needs.

Additionally, our strong focus on customer support, including training and after-sales services, gives us an edge over competitors. We are constantly innovating and upgrading our technology to ensure that we remain at the forefront of the industry.

The future of construction is heading towards automation, and we are closely monitoring developments in unmanned machine technology. While these machines are already in use in certain countries, the Indian market is still evolving in terms of regulatory frameworks and infrastructure readiness for unmanned operations. However, we are actively working on prototypes and plan to introduce semi-autonomous solutions in the near future, with a focus on safety, reliability, and cost-efficiency. Full-scale unmanned machines could become a reality within the next few years as the market and technology mature in India.

Yes, we have fully embraced Industry 4.0 in our manufacturing operations, particularly at our Global Manufacturing Hub in Cheyyar, Tamil Nadu. By integrating advanced robotics, IoT, and data analytics, we have automated several processes, significantly improving efficiency, reducing errors, and increasing output. One of the major benefits has been the real-time monitoring of production lines, allowing us to identify bottlenecks and optimize performance. However, the integration of legacy systems has been challenging. We have addressed this by developing custom interfaces that allow our older machinery to communicate with new systems, ensuring a smooth transition into the Industry 4.0 framework.

The future of construction machinery lies in further automation, AI-driven insights, and enhanced connectivity. We are already gearing up by investing heavily in R&D to make our machines smarter and more intuitive. The next phase will focus on machine learning capabilities that allow our equipment to self-optimize in real-time, adapting to different operating conditions. Additionally, we are looking into energy-efficient technologies and ways to integrate renewable energy sources to reduce carbon footprints. Our goal is to stay ahead of technological trends and ensure that our machines not only meet current demands but are also ready for the future.

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