D Krishnan of Volvo: Connectivity is key between automation & electro mobility
At Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE), innovation is at the core. With over 180 years of construction and innovation expertise, the company is at the forefront of technological development. Dimitrov Krishnan, Managing Director, Volvo CE India, who was recently appointed as the President of Indian Construction Equipment Manufacturers Association (ICEMA), summed up the discussion on whether machine automation will ever take off in construction.

Krishnan pointed out three mega trends that will change the face of the automobile and construction equipment business. These include: electro mobility, connectivity and automation. “Electro mobility is yet to see traction in the automobile industry. Although in the western market, electro mobility in the smaller equipment has already started. Volvo is one of the companies that has launched small excavators, loaders, etc., which are 100 per cent electric. However this is yet to happen in India. Even in the European and American markets, electro mobility is still in the early stages,” said Krishnan.

Added Krishnan, “The industry is moving towards cleaner engines, and has moved from BSIII to BSIV engines. Almost 60 per cent of what we sell is going into next-generation emissions, which will help out pollution levels caused by the machines to much lower levels. This is a huge change in technology. Obviously it costs more in the product side, but it is also a product that will consume lesser fuel as compared to the previous generation, and will give far better quality.”