Source: China Construction Machinery Industry Association, TechCrunch China | Published: December 6, 2025
As artificial intelligence (AI) and industrial Internet technologies deepen their integration into the construction sector, China’s construction machinery industry has emerged as a global leader in intelligent transformation. Data from the China Construction Machinery Industry Association (CCMIA) shows that in 2025, the penetration rate of intelligent construction machinery in China reached 35%, a year-on-year increase of 12 percentage points. These AI-powered devices have achieved an average 28% efficiency boost and 15% energy saving compared to traditional models, reshaping the global construction equipment market landscape.
Policy & Tech Synergy: Accelerating Intelligent Ecosystem Development
China’s intelligent transformation of construction machinery is driven by both policy guidance and technological innovation. In March 2025, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) launched the “Intelligent Construction Machinery Innovation Program”, allocating RMB 5 billion in special funds to support R&D in core technologies such as AI-driven autonomous operation, digital twin simulation, and industrial Internet platforms.
Leading enterprises have responded actively with breakthrough innovations. XCMG developed the industry’s first AI-based autonomous construction fleet, which can realize collaborative operations of excavators, loaders, and dump trucks without manual intervention. The fleet has been deployed in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Intercity Railway project, reducing labor costs by 60% and shortening the construction period by 22%. Sany Heavy Industry launched the “SY Smart Series” with built-in edge computing chips, enabling real-time data analysis and remote fault diagnosis, with the equipment failure rate dropping by 40%.
“The core of intelligent transformation lies in data-driven decision-making,” said Zhang Wei, Chief Technology Officer of XCMG. “Our AI system collects 10,000+ data points per second from each device, including engine load, fuel consumption, and operating temperature, to optimize performance and predict maintenance needs.”
Global Market Penetration: Intelligent Equipment Gains Traction Overseas
Chinese intelligent construction machinery is rapidly gaining acceptance in the global market. In the first three quarters of 2025, exports of AI-equipped construction machinery reached $3.8 billion, a year-on-year surge of 65%, accounting for 7.2% of total construction machinery exports—up from 3.1% in 2023. Europe, Southeast Asia, and North America are the top three export destinations.
The competitive edge of Chinese intelligent equipment lies in its high cost-effectiveness and customized solutions. For example, the XCMG XE215AI intelligent excavator is priced 30% lower than similar products from European brands, while offering comparable autonomous operation capabilities. In Southeast Asia, Sany customized AI algorithms for tropical rainforest construction, enhancing equipment stability in harsh weather conditions. In Germany, XCMG’s digital twin technology has been adopted by a major construction company to simulate tunnel excavation, reducing the risk of geological hazards by 50%.
“Chinese intelligent construction machinery combines advanced technology with practicality,” said Markus Schmidt, a German construction industry consultant. “The AI functions are easy to operate, and the after-sales service network is well-established—this makes them a popular choice for mid-to-high-end projects.”
Future Trends: Towards Full Autonomy & Green Intelligence
The next phase of intelligent transformation will focus on full autonomy and integration with green energy. Industry insiders predict that by 2027, 50% of China’s construction machinery will be equipped with L4-level autonomous driving capabilities, enabling unmanned operation in complex scenarios such as mines and high-altitude construction.
Green intelligence is another key direction. XCMG is developing AI-powered hydrogen fuel cell construction machinery, which can optimize hydrogen consumption based on operating conditions, further reducing carbon emissions by 30%. Sany is exploring the integration of solar panels into equipment bodies to power auxiliary systems, achieving partial self-sufficiency in energy.
The CCMIA predicts that by 2028, the market scale of China’s intelligent construction machinery will exceed RMB 200 billion ($28 billion), with exports accounting for 15% of total sales. “China’s construction machinery industry is no longer just a global manufacturer, but a leader in intelligent innovation,” said Li Hong, President of the CCMIA. “The integration of AI and green technology will drive the industry to a new level of high-quality development.”
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