COBO's Interactive Comfort seat, Steering Column Kit & tech solutions
The seat, named ICS exemplified mechatronic with fully integrated arm rest having 12 inch display. Full form of ICS is “Interactive Comfort Seat” in which maximum attention has been given to operator comfort and ergonomics. It facilitates Human Machine Interaction with intuitive controls and setting.
The steering column assembly Athena is designed to amplify interiors and space with premium look and feel. It is fully integrated plug and play solution with all electromechanical switches, electronic switches like CANBUS Keypads along with high-end instrument cluster or HMI display.
The company is stepping forward in India with their strong expertise in offering global solutions embedded with safety, reliability and comfort.
In the electronic domain, COBO showcased varied range of controllers especially HE 154, a powerful safety controller with very high computing power for hydraulic and electrical movements. Lighting products from LED headlamps to LED indicators as well as LED Beacons were highlighted. In Display and Instrument cluster section, various displays ranging from 4 to 12 inches along with varied range of instrument clusters were showcased with high end graphics demo, BT, Wi-fi and camera connectivity features. Fully integrated systems were also showcased especially for Scissors and Boom Lift applications.
Mitesh Chitkara, Business Head - India Region, COBO, informed: “Our diverse range of solutions simplifies the vehicle architecture and at the same time it helps to improve the diagnostics, safety and reliability of the equipment. Our approach is always solution oriented understanding the core technical requirements of the customers and helping them with selection of an appropriate one amongst various technical offerings available with us.
“India is not a mere destination for our business, rather it’s a journey to help Indian CE industry into their vision roadmap 2035 on 3 main pillars which are jobsite safety, jobsite solutions and sustainable solutions. We are getting very encouraging response from various local and global OEM’s operating out of India, when CE market is evolving to more safety and higher emission norms with regulatory ecosystem in place. Now, when the market is on the verge of transitioning from Stage IV to Stage V, we are having wide range of offerings already available to further customize it according to the requirements of the equipment manufacturers. Supporting this Stage V migration, lot of solutions like instrument clusters, HMI displays, CANBUS Multilink, Steering Column Kits with integrated weighing control system demonstrated in EXCON.
Responding to a growing trend in India on various applications like Aerial Work Platforms (Boom Lifts, Scissors and Truck mounted lifts), telehandlers and others. We are offering various solutions for these applications including fully integrated system solution kits comprising of HMI, display, controller and sensors.
In the equipment segment, the company covers a broad range of applications, involving various industries. On the earthmoving and mining side, it caters to diverse needs, including backhoe loaders, excavators, dozers, wheel loaders and dump trucks. In material handling, its reach extends to cranes, including pick and carry, truck cranes, and rough-terrain cranes, and also forklifts. In the concrete sector, the company plays a significant role in specialty equipment, such as concrete pumps and self-loading mixers. It also has a strong presence in port machineries like reach stackers, reach trucks. On the road construction side, it caters to pavers, soil compactors and tandem rollers.
“Whether it's construction, mining, or port operations, COBO has a comprehensive presence in all mobile machinery segments. We're optimistic about the growth opportunities that this dynamic market is presenting to us, and we eagerly anticipate further developments in our industry.”
“Boosting sales and expanding market reach is a crucial aspect for any company, but it's essential to tailor these initiatives to the nature of the products being manufactured. In our case, given the technical nature of our products, our approach lies heavily towards technical sales rather than being purely commercial. Our strategy involves engaging with R&D teams and new projects at the opportune time, typically during the vehicle architecture design phase.”
“Excon is one of the events we have always been looking forward to, and we've been participating for several years. It's a chance to showcase our new technological global solutions in India. Our goal at COBO is to reveal what customers can expect down the line few years later.”
We are handling all new developments and customizations for India locally supported by a team of experienced engineers and professionals. There is a lot of flexibility and handholding that we have been offering to all our clients in India when it comes to new technology adoption while migrating to new regulations.
“This collaborative and technical approach allows us to not only connect with our customers during the early stage but also to provide ongoing support, ensuring that our products are seamlessly integrated into their machines and perform optimally,” said Chitkara.
He informed that our company places a strong emphasis on research and development (R&D), allocating between 5 to 8% of its revenue to innovate, design and develop global solutions keeping comfort, safety and reliability as key considerations.
“Our commitment to R&D extends beyond the current market needs; we're investing in solutions that might not be immediately required but could become essential over the next decade. This approach underscores our belief that by continually investing in new technologies and staying at the forefront of advancements, we ensure that our company remains a leader in delivering cutting-edge solutions to the market.”
“We pride ourselves on being trusted partners for numerous global and local OEMs.
COBO is also working towards electrification in view of the fact that EVs are gaining credibility in different markets. The company is always looking forward to collaborate with OEMs to enhance its product range and aims to facilitate a smoother and faster transition towards electric technologies, contributing to the industry's shift towards more sustainable and efficient solutions.
“The Construction Equipment market has grown more than 22% in FY22-23 compare to FY21-22, reaching around 107,000 machines. This trend is continuing, with a target of approximately 120,000 to 125,000 machines this year in FY23-24. In the pre-Covid era, the market was relatively stagnant in between 80,000 to 90,000 machines.”
“Over the past two years, there has been a significant rise in the market, aligning with ICEMA's vision for 2030, aiming to become world’s second largest in the world with targeted annual sales volume of 250K to 260 K machines. The government's strong emphasis on infrastructure projects and the political stability for the next term are expected to sustain this momentum. This is particularly crucial for the development of roads, where construction equipment play a pivotal role. The positive trajectory in the construction equipment market reflects both resilience and optimism in the industry.”
“We are hopeful that the government's focus extends beyond emissions to encompass safety norms as well. At our company, safety is not negotiated, and all our products adhere to the highest European safety standards.”
“We request associations like ICEMA to engage with the government and the Ministry of Heavy Industries to collaboratively explore how we can gradually enhance safety standards for these machines. By aligning with global safety benchmarks, we not only ensure the well-being of operators but also open up opportunities beyond India.