HD Hyundai CEO vows to make smarter construction sites

HD Hyundai Vice Chairman and CEO Chung Ki-sun delivers a keynote speech during CES 2024 at the Venetian Las Vegas, Wednesday (local time). Courtesy of HD Hyundai

HD Hyundai will transform construction sites fundamentally with its advanced construction equipment technologies for a more sustainable future for humanity, the business group’s chief executive said at the CES tech trade show in Las Vegas, Wednesday (local time).

Chung Ki-sun, vice chairman and CEO of HD Hyundai, came up with the “Xite Transformation” vision as a solution to various problems facing humanity. HD Hyundai explained that “Xite” refers to an expanded concept for construction sites and incorporates the company’s aim to build smarter construction sites through automated, digitalized and electrified construction equipment.

“The construction industry has laid the foundation for human civilization, and yet it remains one of the slowest today when it comes to technology and innovation,” Chung said in his keynote speech. “This solution utilizes the latest technology to create a more sustainable future for humanity by solving pressing challenges such as safety, security, supply chain issues and climate change.”

After HD Hyundai participated in the world’s largest tech fair for three consecutive years, he became the only Korean among the five keynote speakers at this year’s event, including the top executives of Siemens, Walmart and L’Oreal. This was also the first time that a Korean firm not manufacturing home appliances delivered a keynote speech at CES.

HD Hyundai Vice Chairman and CEO Chung Ki-sun, left, shakes hands with Google Cloud Vice President Philip Moyer, a guest speaker on Chung's keynote speech, during CES 2024 at the Venetian Las Vegas, Wednesday (local time). Courtesy of HD Hyundai

Following Chung’s opening remarks, Google Cloud Vice President Philip Moyer and Marco Hutter, founder of Swiss-based Gravis Robotics, explained each of their cooperation with HD Hyundai in the construction equipment sector.

Ghadah Alhamoud, international relations adviser at Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, also expressed hope for HD Hyundai’s contribution to NEOM and other construction projects for the Saudi Vison 2030, mentioning the Korean firm as the company supplying the largest volume of construction equipment in the Middle Eastern country.

Among some 2,000 people in the audience at the keynote speech were SK Executive Vice Chairman Chey Jae-won, GS Group Chairman Huh Tae-soo, LS Group Chairman Koo Ja-eun, Lotte Corp. Senior Vice President Shin Yoo-yeol and the CEOs of various global companies.

K-pop girl group WJSN’s Dayoung, who has a mini-excavator license as the spokesmodel for HD Hyundai’s construction equipment brand, Develon, also attended the venue, a day after she visited the company’s exhibition booth.