Remote accessibility and other external factors also play a role in completing projects on time, says V G Sakthikumar, Managing Director, Schwing Stetter India.

How is the earthmoving equipment industry faring in terms of infrastructure trends?
As infrastructure grows and changes, demand for earthmoving equipment is also growing. Everything is interlinked, so as one grows, others associated with it also grow proportionately. The SCHWING XCMG team is ready with predictive analytics to map the upcoming and ongoing
trends to deploy augmented machines to cater to the requirements that arise from  these growth patterns.

What are the most recent advancements in backhoe loaders, excavators, and asphalt plants to improve onsite performance?
The most recent advancement in excavators is equipping them with the Internet of Things, which enables all necessary data to be available within the palm of our hand. Quality products improve efficiency and productivity. Smart hydraulic systems with working modes for different applications and remote operation using 5G technology are features that are leading the tech advancements in the industry.

Can you also shed some light on the challenges and roadblocks encountered in procuring equipment and projects?
The best example is the 2020 pandemic period in the CE industry. The import of equipment from other countries has become a nightmare.  The limitation of vessels travelling in and out of the country made it difficult to a greater extent. Another challenge in this process was the lack of projects during the pandemic. But the market is picking up after the hit, and it will be going high and steady in the coming years.

What are the other terrainspecific challenges regarding workforce safety and project deadlines?
Most of these machines work in remote and deep areas where the risk of accidents is moderate to high. Climate also plays a significant role in  this outlook, as even light rains can cause muddy or slippery work conditions. Remote accessibility and other outside factors also play a role when it comes to terrain-specific challenges in the completion of projects on time.

How do you assess and compare the performance and efficiency of diesel-powered equipment versus batterypowered or electric-powered machines?
The performance of dieselpowered machines is much higher right now. Efficiency differs from machine to machine and depends on the  application type it is deployed in. In India, electric-powered machines may be cleaner. Still, there is no direct  comparison regarding consistent work output and machine capacity to work effortlessly on challenging terrains in India.