Hindustan Zinc, a global integrated zinc producer, is advancing its mining strategy with a fleet intelligence system powered by Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Through monitoring of Heavy Earth Moving Machinery, the company is capturing real-time data on equipment uptime, reliability and energy consumption to optimise operations, enhance machine lifespan and elevate productivity.

The data-driven approach has led to measurable improvements across equipment categories over the last three fiscal years FY2024 to FY2026:

• Jumbo drilling machines achieved a 28 percent improvement in reliability and uptime.
• Load Haul Dumpers recorded a 24 percent rise in uptime.
• Low-Profile Dump Trucks showed an improvement of over 27 percent.
• Efficiency has also improved, seen in the Power Pack to Percussion ratio for Jumbo machines, which decreased from 3.8 to 3.4, indicating better energy use for equivalent output.

This transformation is managed by Hindustan Zinc’s Collaboration Centre, which serves as the central nerve for real-time data integration and decision-making. Data from sensors and IIoT devices, deployed in collaboration with Machine Max (a Vedanta Spark startup partner), is processed and analysed into insights for both frontline teams and strategic leaders.

Arun Misra, CEO, Hindustan Zinc, said, “With stronger data capture, cutting-edge IIoT integration and advanced analytics, we’re moving from reactive to predictive operations. The optimisation of our heavy earth-moving fleet has been a game-changer for our uptime and efficiency. This project is a clear step towards smarter, real-time decision-making and building a high-performance, energy-efficient mining ecosystem.”

The digital initiative is integral to the company’s strategy for automation, smart mining and sustainability. Hindustan Zinc is also deploying other technologies, including an AI-powered camera surveillance system that has resulted in an almost 50 percent reduction in manual intervention for safety and compliance. The company is currently working with over 20 technology startups on more than 50 projects through Vedanta Spark.

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South Korean auto major Hyundai Motor Group has appointed Junghyun Kwon as Executive Vice-President and Head of the Autonomous Driving Development Center.

Kwon will oversee software engineering, deep learning integration, perception systems and commercialisation pathways for the group's autonomous mobility programs, reporting directly to Minwoo Park, President and Head of the Advanced Vehicle Platform (AVP) Division.

He joins the group following technical management roles in software development and artificial intelligence across international technology firms. Kwon previously managed autonomous driving software development and deployment at NVIDIA before directing intelligent robotics development at Samsung Electronics. His technical background covers machine learning models, computer vision systems and vehicle perception frameworks.

The executive appointment forms part of a broader recruitment sequence targeting software-defined vehicle architectures and autonomous driving systems.

Earlier in July, Hyundai Motor Group appointed Dongwuk Kim as Senior Vice-President and Head of the SDV Platform Development Center, following his work on wireless communication systems for mobile devices, robotics and vehicles at Apple and Tesla. The group also added Jeremy Ma as Senior Vice-President and Head of AVP Silicon Valley, drawing on his experience in robotics and autonomous systems at Apple, Toyota Research Institute and NVIDIA.

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Automechanika Frankfurt, one of the leading automotive aftermarket trade fairs, will introduce a technology exchange platform, named ‘HighTech4Mobility’, in September 2026.

The format will address the impact of software-defined vehicles, connected platforms, and artificial intelligence on vehicle maintenance, parts distribution and aftersales business models.

The event will gather original equipment manufacturers, Tier-1 suppliers, software companies, investors and workshop representatives at the Festhalle venue. Program topics encompass software architectures, advanced driver assistance systems, autonomous driving, cybersecurity, data management and digital services. Discussions will evaluate how vehicle data access, over-the-air software updates, and predictive diagnostics alter traditional repair and service workflows.

Olaf Mubhoff, Director, Automechanika Frankfurt, said, “The pace of technological development in the mobility sector is breathtaking. This means it is more important than ever that developments are quickly recognised and understood, so that people can share their experiences and assess the opportunities presented by new technologies. HighTech4Mobility addresses this need by providing a forum for exchange between key industry players.”

The event schedule includes joint presentations on artificial intelligence applications in aftersales by the IBM Institute for Business Value, Google Cloud and the Boston Consulting Group.

Benteler Mobility will present developments in autonomous driving and robotics, while German digital association Bitkom will conduct sessions on cybersecurity in software-defined vehicles. Additionally, the Technical University of Braunschweig will provide two demonstration vehicles to test vehicle monitoring software.

The platform follows a series of pre-fair events, including the HEY/PIONEER receptions in Berlin and Las Vegas, the Innovation4Mobility Talk in Munich and webinars hosted with industry partners.

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Daimler Truck, the Volvo Group, Cellcentric, and Toyota Motor Corporation have signed a binding agreement for Toyota to join Cellcentric as an equal partner and shareholder. Under the terms of the deal, each owner will hold a one-third stake in the joint venture.

The binding contract follows a non-binding agreement signed in March. Completion of the transaction is expected by the end-2026 or early-2027 and remains subject to regulatory approvals.

Through the partnership, the companies intend to expand Cellcentric’s technological lead, industrial scale and competitiveness in fuel cell systems for heavy-duty commercial applications. The partners also plan to work with industry associations and entities across the hydrogen value chain to support hydrogen supply and infrastructure development.

Cellcentric will continue to operate as an independent company, supplying heavy-duty on-road and off-road transport, as well as applications such as coaches, stationary power generation, rail and heavy off-highway equipment.

Daimler Truck, the Volvo Group and Toyota Motor Corporation will continue to compete independently across all other business areas.

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InfiMotion hosted the launch event for the Geely 16-in-1 intelligent electric drive system at its headquarters in Wuxi on July 16. The electric drive system is scheduled for debut in the Geely Galaxy TT series.

The company operates research and development (R&D) centres in Wuxi, Shanghai, Ningbo, Hangzhou and Gothenburg, supported by a testing facility featuring a 30,000 rpm motor test bench and five production bases in China. InfiMotion supplies electric drive solutions to automotive brands including Geely, Volvo and Jaguar Land Rover.

Joe, CEO of InfiMotion, highlighted InfiMotion’s global R&D footprint spanning Wuxi, Shanghai, Ningbo, Hangzhou and Gothenburg, Sweden. More than 1,000 engineers, including over 100 specialists in Sweden, work collaboratively through a cloud‑based development platform, enabling synchronised hardware, software and algorithm development across continents.

“Global collaboration is not simply about working across different locations – it is about moving at the same pace. Our development process is built around real‑world global driving conditions, from sustained high‑speed operation on Germany’s unrestricted highways, to sub‑zero cold starts in the Nordic region, and continuous high‑load performance in Southeast Asia’s hot and humid climate,” said Joe. 

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