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The global construction industry is at a turning point. With the surge in demand for low-carbon emission reduction, digital transformation and safe production, construction machinery manufacturers are facing unprecedented innovation challenges. As a key figure in this transformation, Francesco Quaranta, President of Hitachi Construction Machinery Europe (HCME), is both pragmatic and visionary. He believes that at a time when the digitalization wave in the construction industry is accelerating, the speed of technology application will determine future competitiveness.

Drawing on the experience of more mature digital sectors, Quillanta pointed out that intelligent systems have gone from being optional to being a necessity. For manufacturers, this means rethinking the entire process of equipment design, operation and field support - especially in the context of labor shortages and increasing engineering complexity.

When asked where technology will most impact the construction industry in the short term, Quiranta said: "It's all about simplifying the customer's workflow and making complex operations simple. Today we rely on operator skills, but this is not sustainable in the future. So we have to develop AI tools, guidance systems or pre-set programs that allow ordinary operators to operate professional equipment."

This reflects a macro trend in construction machinery manufacturing: equipment must not only be durable, but also smart and easy to use. As the global construction market is generally facing a shortage of skilled workers, solutions that allow inexperienced people to steadily output high-quality work are being sought after. Manufacturers such as Hitachi are investing in intelligent guidance systems that go beyond automation and can enhance human capabilities.

The evolution of mechanical guidance technology

"I'm very optimistic about the future of connected devices guiding themselves," said Quillanta. "The upgrade from 2D to 3D is just the beginning. Just like when cars first had reverse cameras, people didn't think much of it, but now it's standard. We're in the same early stages of technology."

Although the transition from analog to digital is gradual, Quiranta stressed that automation in the construction industry is no longer a concept: "We already have autonomous equipment that actually works - not just external electrical devices, but real operational machinery. This technology is not only ours, but the whole industry is moving forward."

But he remains aware of the limitations of autonomous technology: "Autonomy is not a panacea. It is suitable for predictable and repetitive operations, just like it is safe to turn on automatic driving on a highway, but it is not feasible in complex urban areas." He believes that autonomous technology is best suited for controlled environments such as mining, while civil construction is much more complex.

"In standardized scenarios like highways, autonomous solutions are feasible. Other scenarios still require the coordination of digital vision and the operator's eyes, especially in ordinary construction projects. Mining is different, and closed environments make it easier to industrialize operations," explained Quilanta.

The future of human-machine collaboration

This brings human-machine collaboration into sharp focus. While devices have the ability to guide, monitor, and even self-correct, human judgment is irreplaceable in unpredictable or high-risk environments.

“In the construction industry, there is huge potential for suppliers to provide cameras integrated into smart control boxes,” said Quiranta. “In the future, there will be many digital assistants, such as in pipeline construction or in scenarios where there is a risk of digging up water pipes.”

He envisions future construction sites being inherently safe: from relying on human vigilance to proactively anticipating and preventing danger through machine intelligence. "Each industry will benefit in different ways, and the key is to make technology a safety partner rather than just a tool."

Empowerment rather than replacement

This vision reflects the core concept of "technology empowerment". Quilanta believes that technology should not replace workers, but enhance their productivity: "Human productivity will take a leap forward. Take agriculture as an example. People were worried that tractors would cause unemployment, but in fact they produced more food and fed more people."

He stressed that technology is a multiplier rather than a replacement: "Humans are irreplaceable. I use AI a lot, but I use it smartly - not out of laziness, but as a source of structured information, but ultimately still using my own judgement and expertise."

While machine learning can process data at lightning speed, it lacks empathy – which is crucial for customer service and the entire construction supply chain. "AI will never have empathy. When a customer calls a support line and hears a robot answer, they usually hang up because they have a bad experience. But when a real person answers with the help of an AI assistant, they can truly understand the problem," said Quaranta. "AI may give standard suggestions, but humans can sense the customer's emotions and adjust the plan - this is the core of service."