Volvo CE, Lego Team Up to Create Machines of the Future

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) and Lego Technic give people a glimpse of what they think construction machines may soon look like in FutuRE:BUILD, an exclusive exhibit showcasing the partnership's equipment concepts.

The machines that are showcased at the show--which is at the London Transport Museum from May 10 to 16--is the result of a campaign that invited creative minds from across the world to submit their idea of what construction machines of the future might look like, and how they will function.

Applicants were asked to build their own designs using at least 50-percent existing Lego Technic bricks. A panel of judges made up of representatives from both Volvo CE and Lego Technic whittled down the entries to the 10 best models, all of which are on display at the exhibit.

"We were overwhelmed with just how far people went with their creations," said Volvo CE's Arvid Rinaldo. "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," Rinaldo added.

The 10 finalists showcase a broad spectrum of technologies, including driverless automation, 3D printing, solar panels, and drones.

"To me, the design is not just about playability, it's about really exploring the potential for future technologies," said grand prize winner Vida András from Transylvania. "In my industry, 3D 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."

The diversity of the competition was highlighted by the age range of the finalists and the country they came from. The youngest finalist was 14, and the oldest 47. There were those that hailed from the UK, Hungary, USA, South Africa, and of course, Transylvania.

The organizers hope that the exhibit will thrill onlookers and inspire them to come up with their own concepts.

"We've all enjoyed the imaginative play of LEGO bricks and I am sure our visitors will be thrilled to see these fantastic, futuristic creations," said Sam Mullins, Director for London Transport Museum. "As well as offering a great day out, one of the key things we do at London Transport Museum is to turn childhood enthusiasm into a career in engineering. These driverless diggers will certainly inspire young minds. And budding young inventors should also pop into our Future Engineers gallery after exploring the new FutuRE:BUILD exhibition."