FutuRE:BUILD is being held in London May 10-16 and features models of how construction machines of the future could look and how they would perform, according to www.forconstructionpros.com.
Volvo Construction Equipment and LEGO Technic held a global competition asking entrants to build their own models using at least 50% existing LEGO Technic bricks. Entries were narrowed down to the top 10 models chosen by a panel of judges; the models demonstrate various technologies, including driverless automation, 3-D printing, solar panels and drones.
"We were overwhelmed with just how far people went with their creations," says Arvid Rinaldo, brand communications & partnerships for Volvo CE. "The best-in-show were picked because they prove that the boundaries of our future construction machines are seemingly limitless. Some of these designs look like they have come straight out of a sci-fi movie. We are at an exciting point in time for the industry and these models are actually not too far removed from what could be coming to our construction sites of the future."
Entries were judged based on overall coolness and originality, most inspired details, relevance to the contest theme and best use of LEGO elements. Winners range in ages from 14 to 47 and come from throughout the world, including the U.S., United Kingdom, Hungary and South Africa.
The grand-prize winner is Transylvanian native Vida András, a 27-year-old Romanian whose self-driving "Volvo Rottweiler" is fitted with a pneumatic drill, a dozer and a 3-D printer.
"To me, the design is not just about playability, it's about really exploring the potential for future technologies," says András. "In my industry, 3-D printing is one of the biggest trends at the moment, so I wanted to incorporate that into my model. I have 20 years' experience playing with LEGO sets. I've loved it forever and have always had this confidence that I could sit down and build for hours and eventually it would all come together in the end."
Other models on display include "Volvo ICARUS," a mobile solar power plant with advanced off-road capabilities, and "The Volvo Excavadrone," which is built to operate on land and in the air.
