HD Construction Equipment came to CONEXPO 2026 with something to prove. The company — which operates under parent HD Hyundai — unveiled nine next-generation excavators across its two North American brands, Hyundai and Develon. The machines range from 23 to 40 tons and pack AI-driven operator assistance, autonomous capabilities, and safety systems that go well beyond what either brand offered a year ago.

This isn’t a refresh. It’s a full generational leap for both lineups.

Editor’s Note: Managing a mixed fleet of Hyundai, Develon, or any other iron? FieldFix tracks maintenance, calculates true cost-per-hour, and gives you AI diagnostics when something goes sideways — no matter the brand on the door.

Five New Hyundai Models, Four New Develons

HD Construction Equipment split the launch across three booths at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Hyundai took the West Hall, Develon set up on the Festival Lot, and HD’s engine division held down the South Hall.

On the Hyundai side, five new medium-to-large excavators hit the floor. The company hasn’t released full model designations for every unit yet, but the machines target the 23- to 40-ton class — the heart of the North American excavation market. These are the sizes running utility work, commercial site prep, and road construction across the continent.

Develon brought four machines under its new -9 Series banner: the DX230LC-9, DX260LC-9, DX360LC-9, and DX400LC-9. All four run fully electronic hydraulic (EH) systems with integrated AI. If you’ve been running Develon’s -7 Series, the jump to -9 is significant — not just in power delivery, but in how the machines think about what they’re doing.

Real-X: From Concept to Commercial Product

The biggest story out of HD’s booth isn’t any single excavator. It’s Real-X.

Real-X is HD Construction Equipment’s autonomous operation platform, and it’s the commercial evolution of Concept-X, the autonomous construction demo the company has been showing off for years. The difference now: Real-X isn’t a tech demo anymore. It’s built into the next-gen machines.

At CONEXPO, HD set up an experience zone where attendees could test autonomous digging and loading operations in real time. The system handles machine-to-machine coordination — think an excavator loading a haul truck without a human touching the sticks. It also includes smart safety protocols that integrate with the AI to keep autonomous operations from going sideways.

For operators worried about being replaced: calm down. Real-X is designed for specific use cases — repetitive bulk earthmoving, hazardous environments, night shifts nobody wants to work. The labor shortage in construction isn’t getting better. Autonomous systems like Real-X exist because there aren’t enough skilled operators, not because companies want to fire the ones they have.

AI Safety That Actually Does Something

The Develon -9 Series brings a safety package worth paying attention to.

Every -9 Series excavator ships with a smart around-view monitor (AVM) camera system that uses AI to identify humans in the work zone. This isn’t the bird’s-eye camera view you already know — though it has that too. The AI layer processes the camera feeds in real time, flagging people who wander into the machine’s swing radius.

Back that up with a radar system capable of detecting objects up to six meters out, and you’ve got a two-layer safety net. If the system detects a person in the danger zone, it triggers an intelligent E-Stop. The machine stops itself.

Jobsite fatalities from struck-by incidents remain one of the top killers in construction. OSHA’s “Fatal Four” data hasn’t changed much in a decade. If AI-powered detection can cut those numbers even by a small percentage, that’s real progress — not marketing fluff.

Proprietary Engines and the Hydrogen Question

HD Hyundai didn’t just bring excavators. The company’s engine division rolled out its DX05 and DX08 engines, both designed in-house. These aren’t licensed powerplants from another manufacturer. HD is building its own, which gives the company more control over emissions compliance, fuel efficiency, and integration with its electronic hydraulic systems.

The smaller DA11 engine — a 1.1-liter electronic unit — also made its debut. It’s aimed at compact equipment and industrial applications where space is tight and emissions standards are strict.

Then there’s the forward-looking stuff: hydrogen engines and high-performance battery packs. HD showed next-generation powertrains that hint at where the company is heading over the next decade. Hydrogen combustion engines for heavy equipment remain early-stage across the industry, but HD is clearly investing in the tech rather than waiting to see who figures it out first.

For context, Caterpillar and Komatsu are also exploring hydrogen and battery-electric for large machines. The race is on, and HD doesn’t plan to watch from the sidelines.

The Operator Challenge

On the lighter side, HD Hyundai ran an “Operator Challenge” at their booth using the HX19E mini electric excavator. Contestants competed for daily $1,000 prizes — not bad for a few minutes on the sticks. The HX19E itself is noteworthy as one of the few electric mini excavators actually available in North America, positioning Hyundai well for indoor demo, urban infill, and emissions-restricted jobsites.

What This Means for the Market

HD Construction Equipment is playing a bigger game than most people realize. The company occupies a strange position in North America — well-respected among operators who run their iron, but often overshadowed by Cat, Deere, and Komatsu in brand recognition.

This CONEXPO launch is a statement. Nine machines in one shot, spanning two brands, with autonomous capability and AI safety baked in from the factory floor. That’s not a company treading water. That’s a company trying to take share.

The timing matters too. CONEXPO 2026 is the biggest equipment show in years, coming off a period where global construction equipment sales have softened. Manufacturers are fighting harder for every deal. HD is betting that technology — not just horsepower — is what wins over the next generation of buyers.

For fleet managers and owners shopping the 23- to 40-ton excavator class, HD’s new lineup deserves a serious look. The AI safety features alone could justify the conversation, especially for companies dealing with insurance pressure around jobsite incidents.

The machines are expected to hit North American dealers later this year. Pricing hasn’t been announced, but expect HD to be competitive — they always have been on price, and now they’ve got the tech story to match.

The Bottom Line

HD Hyundai and Develon walked into CONEXPO 2026 and put nine machines on the floor that say the same thing: we’re not the budget option anymore. With Real-X autonomous operations, AI-powered safety systems, and proprietary engines, the company is positioning itself as a technology leader — not just a value play.

Whether the market agrees is up to the operators who actually run the iron. But HD just made it a lot harder to ignore them.