Archives February 2026

Mumbai, Feb 24: Sectoral/thematic funds, which had been witnessing a steady surge in inflows in the last two years, seems to be losing sheen now amid performance-related issues, market-driven factors and shifting investor sentiment, ICRA Analytics said. 

Net inflows into these funds dropped by nearly 88.44% on a year-on-year basis at Rs 1,042.56 crore in January 2026, as compared with Rs 9,016.60 crore in January 2025. Net assets under management (AUM) of sectoral/thematic funds grew by 13.63% at Rs 5.24 lakh crore in January 2026, up from Rs 4.61 lakh crore in January 2025. 

In the last five years, the net AUM has grown by a CAGR of 42.54% from Rs 89,007.40 crore in January 2021. 

“Inflows into sectoral and thematic mutual funds have declined due to a combination of performance-related issues, market-driven factors, and shifting investor sentiment. A major driver has been underperformance and failure to beat benchmarks, which led investors to reassess concentrated thematic bets as returns slowed or turned negative, resulting in a sharp drop in monthly inflows,” Ashwini Kumar, Senior Vice President and Head Market Data, ICRA Analytics, said. 

The net flow of sectoral & thematic funds, as a % of total net flow of open-ended equity-oriented funds dropped to 4.34% in January 2026, as against 22.72% in January 2025 and 22.06% in January 2024. Net flow of sectoral & thematic funds, as a % of total inflows into open-ended equity-oriented funds, went up as high as 55.37% in May 2024 and 55.04% in June 2024 before declining to 0.68% in March 2025 and subsequently moderating to 4.34% in January 2026. Such trend, signals a broad retreat from concentrated sector exposure amid volatile markets and a growing preference for diversification. 

“These categories are highly cyclical, and as sector cycles reversed, fund performance corrected sharply, prompting cautious behaviour among investors who had earlier been attracted by strong historical returns. This caution has been reinforced by heightened market volatility, particularly in mid cap and small cap segments, and broader economic uncertainties such as currency depreciation, global macro concerns, and trade related risks, all of which dampened investor appetite for high-risk thematic strategies,” Kumar added. 

There are as many as 248 sectoral/thematic funds currently available in the market. The average returns on these funds are 6.28%, 18.60% and 17.00% on a 1-year, 3-year and 5-year basis, respectively. 

Many retail investors, particularly those who may have been mis-sold thematic ideas without fully understanding the volatility involved, are using market rebounds to liquidate their holdings, further contributing to reduced fresh investments, he pointed out.

“Sectoral and thematic funds are likely to remain volatile and highly cyclical in the near term due to external uncertainties and recent performance corrections. However, the long‑term outlook for select themes, particularly those supported by government policy and structural economic drivers, remains constructively positive. The category is expected to see slower but more sustainable inflows, with investors becoming more selective and data‑driven,” Kumar said.

Abu Dhabi, UAE – 24 February 2026: AD Ports Group (ADX: ADPORTS), a leading global enabler of trade, industry, and logistics solutions; and Nimex Terminals today marked the groundbreaking of the UAE’s first private-sector Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) terminal hub at Khalifa Port, reinforcing the nation’s position as a global energy logistics and trading hub.

 Announced in November 2025 in parallel with the LNG terminal hub development, the LPG terminal hub is being developed to accommodate large, long-haul gas carriers and will deliver large‑scale refrigerated storage and marine handling infrastructure for propane, butane, and LPG mix products.

 The development will further strengthen the UAE’s role in facilitating global LPG flows between major production centres and high‑growth demand markets across Asia, Africa and Europe.The facility will expand Khalifa Port’s energy infrastructure capabilities to meet the evolving demands of international energy trade.

 Saif Al Mazrouei, CEO, Ports Cluster – AD Ports Group, said: “The Nimex LPG terminal exemplifies the type of high‑quality strategic infrastructure investment that strengthens the port’s energy ecosystem and reinforces its position as a leading regional and international gateway. This development reflects a shared commitment to disciplined execution, operational excellence, safety and long‑term value creation.”

 Phase 1 of the development will comprise two full‑containment refrigerated storage tanks of 50,000 and 67,000 cubic metres for propane and butane respectively, together with four mounded LPG bullet tanks with an aggregate capacity of 21,000 cubic metres for mixed LPG products. A similar expansion is planned under Phase 2, bringing total terminal capacity to approximately 280,000 cubic metres.

 The project also includes the construction of dedicated LPG jetties with a 16‑metre depth, enabling efficient berthing and handling of large‑scale LPG carriers and supporting seamless maritime trade flows. Phase 1 is expected to be commissioned within 36 months from the commencement of construction.

 Azmat Mahmood, Chairman – Nimex Terminals, said: “Today’s groundbreaking represents a defining milestone for Nimex Terminals. Our vision is to build a resilient, world‑class LPG logistics platform that connects global supply with regional demand through Abu Dhabi. We are proud to work alongside AD Ports Group in delivering strategic infrastructure that supports trade growth, enhances energy connectivity, and underpins the UAE’s role as a trusted global energy hub.”

 The terminal will be developed and operated in accordance with the highest international standards for safety, environmental stewardship, and operational excellence. Safety has been embedded into the project from inception, with full-containment tanks and mounded LPG bullet storage selected to enhance protection, mitigate risk, and ensure long-term operational reliability.

 The Nimex LPG terminal will strengthen regional energy security and storage resilience, providing traders and industrial users with enhanced flexibility and optionality, while supporting the continued growth of Khalifa Port as a multi‑commodity gateway. The project reflects growing private‑sector investment in advanced energy infrastructure aligned with the UAE’s long‑term trade and logistics ambitions

Mumbai, Feb 24: Findability Sciences Pvt Ltd has been officially shortlisted for innovation funding and strategic support by the Government of Maharashtra under the transformative Maha Agri-AI Policy 2025–2029 — a groundbreaking state policy designed to unlock the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Generative AI (GenAI), and frontier digital technologies across the entire agricultural ecosystem. 

The Maha Agri-AI Policy charts an ambitious roadmap to accelerate a technology-enabled, farmer-centric agricultural transformation that enhances productivity, builds climate resilience, increases farm incomes, and contributes to the Viksit Bharat@2047 vision and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through innovation funding, the Government of Maharashtra aims to establish the state as a national leader in AI-driven agri-innovation and model sustainable economic growth for farming communities. 

Findability Sciences’ selection for the final round of state-level sanctioning recognizes its deep domain expertise in deploying enterprise AI, advanced analytics, and domain-specific digital solutions that deliver measurable impact at scale. The company’s work spans predictive decisioning, operational optimization, and data-driven intelligence — including through Stomata Labs, its next-generation AI division focused on AI-first solutions for agriculture and sugar mill operations worldwide. Stomata Labs unifies farm, factory, and commercial data into actionable intelligence that improves field outcomes, augments mill performance, and drives sustainable economic value across the sugar value chain. 

Anand Mahurkar, Founder & CEO, Findability Sciences, said, “This recognition by the Government of Maharashtra validates our relentless focus on driving actionable AI outcomes that matter to decision makers in agriculture and industrial operations. We build solutions that help farmers improve yields, enable mill operators to optimize margins, and empower leaders to make faster, better decisions. Our deep work in Agri-AI and agro-industrial intelligence, from field forecasting to process optimization through Stomata Labs is directly anchored in real-world impact, not experimentation. We look forward to partnering with the state to accelerate scalable, measurable value across the agricultural economy.” 

Findability Sciences has a strong track record of advancing AI-augmented decision systems that improve operational performance, enhance resource efficiency, and unlock measurable value in complex environments — from agriculture to manufacturing and beyond. Its portfolio blends predictive analytics, generative insights, and operational workflows that help organizations move from reactive to predictive performance. 

Bengaluru, India, 24 Feb: GoTo, the leader in cloud communications and IT, has promoted Sivakumar Ekambaram as the company’s new India Site Leader. In his expanded role, Sivakumar will lead GoTo’s India operations and strategy, overseeing one of the company’s most critical global hubs. He will focus on strengthening India’s contribution to GoTo’s global growth and innovation agenda across both core platforms and emerging technologies.

Sivakumar brings over two decades of experience in the IT industry and has spent nearly a decade as a leader at GoTo. A seasoned product engineering leader Sivakumar previously acted as senior director of engineering at GoTo, a position he continues to hold in addition to his new role. His expertise spans unified communications, remote support, cloud technologies, and AI-led innovation.

Commenting on the promotion, Rich Veldran, CEO, GoTo, said, “Sivakumar’s leadership and impact at GoTo over the past several years have been instrumental to our product and engineering success. India is central to our innovation and execution model, and this expanded role reflects both Sivakumar’s deep expertise and our continued commitment to strengthening India’s role in GoTo’s global growth and AI-first strategy.”

“India has always played a pivotal role in GoTo’s global journey,” said Sivakumar Ekambaram, India Site Leader, GoTo. “As we continue our multi-year transformation focused on growth, innovation, and customer value, my priority is to further strengthen GoTo India as a full-function, high-impact organization. We will continue to invest in talent, build next-generation capabilities, and contribute meaningfully to GoTo’s growth products, while sustaining excellence across our core platforms.”

Under Sivakumar’s leadership, the India team will continue to drive execution excellence while expanding its role in emerging areas such as AI, digital transformation, and cloud-based innovation. Prior to his tenure at GoTo, Sivakumar has previously worked with global and Indian organizations, including IBM, Aztec Software, AOL, and Citrix.

Mumbai, Feb 24: Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company Limited (“KMAMC” / “Kotak Mutual Fund”) today announced that its Assets Under Management (AUM) have crossed ₹6 lakh crore as of the close of business on February 18, 2026. The milestone reflects the collective confidence and long‑term commitment of investors across the country and comes just over a year after the AMC crossed the ₹5 lakh crore mark on December 4, 2024.

The steady progression in AUM underscores how investors have continued to stay invested and add systematically, even as global markets navigated periods of uncertainty.

Nilesh Shah, MD, Kotak Mahindra AMC said, “Crossing ₹6 lakh crore belongs as much to our investors as it does to us. Markets will always move in cycles, but long‑term wealth creation is built through discipline, fundamentals and staying invested. Over the past year, investors have continued to demonstrate maturity and conviction by remaining committed to their long‑term goals despite global uncertainties. Our role at KMAMC is to support this journey through prudent risk management, relevant investment solutions and guidance that helps investors navigate volatility with confidence.”

KMAMC recorded a 25% year-on-year increase, expanding its AUM by ₹1,19,133 crore over the past twelve months. This growth has been driven by strong participation across both equity and debt categories. The equity business, which accounts for approximately 63% of the total AUM, remains the larger contributor, supported by consistent performance and long‑term retail flows, while the debt business represents around 37% of the AUM1.

Over the last twelve months, KMAMC recorded a 25% year‑on‑year increase, with AUM growing by ₹1,19,133 crore. This expansion has been driven by sustained investor participation across both equity and debt categories. Equity assets, accounting for approximately 63% of total AUM, continue to be the larger contributor, supported by consistent performance and long‑term retail flows. The debt business, representing around 37% of AUM, has also seen steady participation as investors seek balance and stability in their portfolios.

The growing preference for disciplined, long‑term investing is reflected in KMAMC expanding SIP ecosystem. As of January 31, 2026, the AMC’s monthly SIP book stands at over ₹1,500 crore, while total SIP AUM has reached ₹1,07,112 crore as of February 18, 2026, highlighting the role of systematic investing in helping investors build wealth over time2.

The depth and diversity of the investor base further reinforce this trust. KMAMC now manages 1,47,81,821 folios* and services over 74,00,000 unique investors# across India, reflecting sustained engagement across geographies, income segments and investment needs3.

KMAMC’s consistent ability to scale alongside its investors across market cycles reinforces its commitment to responsible fund management, investor‑centric growth and supporting long‑term financial outcomes.

MUTUAL FUND INVESTMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO MARKET RISKS, READ ALL SCHEME RELATED DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY.

Addressing the ICC Defence Start Up & Autonomous Systems Summit, Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, AVSM,NM FOC-IN-C East mentioned the

importance of safeguarding maritime interests, projecting power in the IndoPacific, so as to ensure economic security. He also stated that modernisation through domestic defence manufacturing helps in achieving strategic autonomy. 

In his address, Dr G Satheesh Reddy , President Aeronautical Society of India , Advisor to Government of Andhra Pradesh , Member National Security Advisory Board, underscore the ability of the Andhra Pradesh Government to enhance the defence manufacturing capability of the country. 

Cmde P.R. Hari, IN (Retd.), Chairman , ICC National Expert Committee on Defence , Aerospace & Space , C&MD Garden Reach Ship Builders & Engineers ltd ( GRSE) stressed on leveraging the innovative capabilities of MSMEs and Startups to boost the modernisation of the defence manufacturing sector. 

In his welcome address, Dr Rajeev Singh, Director General, Indian Chamber of Commerce, appreciated the Government’s efforts of indigenisation of the defence manufacturing sectors through Atmanirbhar Bharat. Cdr Gautam Nanda, Co-Chair,  ICC National Committee of Defence , Aerospace & Space

&  Partner | Business Consulting, Ernst and Young LLP gave the formal vote of thanks. 

The summit witnessed over 170 plus delegates inclusive of senior officials from Eastern Naval Command and 18 Defence & Drone Start Up stalls along with the release of Knowledge Report titled “Defence Production Powering Industrial Growth”. It has also had a dedicated B2B support desk to cater to the need of the MSMEs and Startups.

Coventry University Group’s India Hub is hosting a week of high-powered engagements with strategic research partners, government and industry stakeholders to explore priority themes including artificial intelligence (AI) and data science, healthcare and clean growth. 

A delegation from Coventry University Group’s senior research leadership team led by Professor Richard Dashwood, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), and including Professors Elena Gaura, Carl Perrin and Rohit Bhagat travelled to India to deepen those strategic partnerships. 

Over the past year the education group has developed a growing portfolio of collaborations with leading Indian institutions, including IIT Guwahati and GITAM, translating global engagement into real-world research impact and harnessing strategic relationships to create tangible research activity and joint programmes. 

Caption: Coventry University’s delegation meets with representatives of IIT Delhi

 Coventry University Group and IIT Guwahati formalised their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding, enabling joint research, co-funded PhDs, staff and student mobility, and community engagement projects.  

Coventry University Group and IIT Delhi held a Winter School centred on energy storage, green hydrogen and the application of AI and machine learning in material development, characterisation and data analytics. This will further strengthen knowledge exchange and open avenues for exploring joint supervision models and collaborative research in those areas. 

The India Hub is playing a central role in strengthening academic, research and innovation partnerships with India in areas such as AI, healthcare innovation and societal wellbeing, as well as supporting Coventry University Group’s growing footprint in doctoral education, researcher development and innovation capacity-building. 

Through its partnership with GITAM, the Group has established a dual-award PhD programme, with the first cohort of candidates already enrolled across projects spanning health technologies, clean growth and creative disciplines. 

As part of the visit the delegation will also be engaging with government agencies, industry and various research institutes to advance joint initiatives in India across a range of stakeholders. 

Professor Richard Dashwood, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Coventry University, said: “Our research always comes with a real-world change in mind and working alongside institutions and partners in India we can have a lasting impact on areas such as clean tech, AI and healthcare. This visit highlighted the importance of multi-disciplinary research, ethical frameworks and real-world validation, and demonstrated how UK–India collaboration can accelerate progress in these areas.” 

Yashodhara Dasgupta, Regional Managing Director of Coventry University Group’s India Hub, said: “The India Hub exists to turn relationships into outcomes. Whether through joint PhDs, research-led training or policy-facing dialogue, our focus is on creating platforms where UK and Indian expertise can come together to address real-world challenges and deliver shared value.” 

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised the 4th DISCOM Conclave 2026 at PHD House, New Delhi, on 24th February 2026.

The highlight of the conclave was its distinguished list of guests:

Chief Guest: Mr Shripad Yesso Naik, Hon’ble Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Government of India

Chair: Mr P R Kumar, Power Committee, PHDCCI & MD & CEO, Noida Power Company Ltd

Guest of Honour: Mr Alok Kumar, IAS (Retd.), Director General, All India Discoms Association & Former Power Secretary, Government of India

Guest of Honour: Mr Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson, Central Electricity Authority

The Conclave commenced with a warm welcome address by Dr Ranjeet Mehta, CEO and Secretary General, PHDCCI, who emphasised the significance of the Hon’ble Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy’s presence, underscoring the importance of the conclave and the critical role that DISCOMs play in India’s evolving energy landscape.

Speaking at the 4th DISCOM Conclave 2026, the Chief Guest, Mr Shripad Yesso Naik, Hon’ble Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Government of India highlighted India’s remarkable power sector transformation under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, from universal electrification to 500 GW renewable capacity targets. He emphasised that financially strong and digitally intelligent DISCOMs are central to achieving the nation’s energy vision.

With 5.5 crore smart meters already installed under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), he underscored the transformative potential of AI in demand forecasting, grid management, and operational efficiency. He called upon industry, innovators, and financial institutions to partner in building next-generation DISCOMs fit for Viksit Bharat 2047.

Mr Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson, Central Electricity Authority states – Building next-generation DISCOMs demands excellence across two critical dimensions — technical reliability and digital intelligence. On the technical front, DISCOMs must progressively achieve N-1 reliability standards at the distribution level, ensuring consumers receive truly uninterrupted, quality power supply.

Digital transformation must go beyond smart metering to encompass a holistic, integrated digital architecture with standardised components, interoperable systems, and robust cybersecurity frameworks. Bihar’s near one-crore smart meter deployment in prepaid mode demonstrates the transformative financial and operational impact already achievable.

The real opportunity lies in leveraging granular consumption data for precise demand forecasting, peak load prediction, and dynamic resource adequacy planning. Integrating finance, technology, data, and planning into one cohesive architecture will position Indian DISCOMs among the world’s best, driving India’s journey toward Viksit Bharat 2047.

Supporting the discussion further, Mr Alok Kumar, IAS (Retd.) Director General, All India Discoms Association & Former Power Secretary, Government of India said – “Indian DISCOMs have achieved a commendable turnaround in FY25, with reduced aggregate losses and improved profitability. With AT&C losses at 15%, there remains a significant opportunity to close the gap with the global benchmark of 7.5%, while turning the ACS-ARR gap meaningfully positive will further strengthen long-term financial resilience. With electricity demand projected to grow four to five times by 2047, DISCOMs have an immense opportunity to scale up, provided network investments keep pace with renewable integration.

Realising this potential requires pushing billing efficiency from 87% towards 92-93%, achieving 100% collection efficiency, ensuring timely state government subsidy payments, and enabling realistic tariff revisions by State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs). Encouragingly, addressing these two structural enablers — timely subsidies and progressive tariff revisions — alone can resolve 90% of sectoral financial stress. With focused operational improvements, India’s DISCOMs are well-positioned to become financially resilient institutions capable of powering Viksit Bharat 2047.

While addressing at the Conclave Mr P R Kumar Chair, Power Committee, PHDCCI & MD & CEO, Noida Power Company Ltd said – “India’s power distribution sector has made significant strides, with Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses falling from over 25% in FY14 to nearly 15% in FY25, and the Average Cost of Supply per unit to the Average Revenue Realized (ACS-ARR) gap narrowing to just 6 paise per unit. DISCOMs have collectively reported positive PAT this year. However, financial fragility persists, with nearly 80% of DISCOMs having a Debt Service Coverage Ratio below 3. Strengthening finances requires reducing losses, optimising power purchase costs, and ensuring cost-reflective tariffs.

On the digital front, transformation is no longer optional. With renewable energy poised to constitute 80% of future capacity, demand-side flexibility through smart metering and digital infrastructure is critical. Beyond the mandated 25 crore smart meters, DISCOMs must build a comprehensive digital stack — encompassing AI-based forecasting, SCADA, AMI, and cybersecurity frameworks — to evolve into intelligent energy service providers.”

In his address, Dr Ranjeet Mehta also predicted – “The DISCOMs will not just be power distributors — they will be energy managers, digital service providers, and key enablers of India’s energy transition. With smart meters, data analytics, AI-based demand forecasting, and improved consumer interfaces, DISCOMs can become more consumer-centric and financially sustainable.

In today’s rapidly changing environment, DISCOMs are recalibrating their strategies. I believe that across the country, DISCOMs have increasingly recognized that the customer must be at the center of their strategy.”

Amid the enlightening speeches by our honourable guests, PHDCCI and FICHTNER released a knowledge report on “Creating Next Generation DISCOMs – Financially Strong and Digitally Smart” underscoring the conclave’s vision and its alignment with India’s journey towards 2047. The report is also attached with this press release.

The event was also attended by a vast pool of policy makers, regulators, sustainability enthusiasts, power and distribution experts, entrepreneurs, and industry stakeholders.

Ras Al Khaimah, Feb24: Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) marked the groundbreaking of a new 5,839 m² warehousing facility by Indu, a multi-industry-focused logistics and warehouse solutions provider, at Al Hamra Industrial Zone.

The ceremony was attended by senior RAKEZ representatives, including Ian Hunt, Chief Experience Officer; Alia Rabbani, Key Accounts Director; and Mohamed Ismayil, Senior Manager – Key Accounts.

The new development will deliver advanced warehousing solutions with a projected capacity of 12,000 m³. Designed to serve fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), hotel supplies, and food supplies, the facility will primarily support the F&B sector across the Northern Emirates by providing specialised storage solutions.

Scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2026, the project forms a key part of Indu’s broader expansion strategy to evolve into a multi-industry-focused logistics provider, capitalising on Ras Al Khaimah’s accelerating economic growth and rising demand across key sectors.

Commenting on the milestone, Kush Kishore Lakhani, Managing Director at Indu, said, “Indu has always followed the ‘Build It and They Will Come’ approach. This strategic investment reflects the notable rise in activity across Ras Al Khaimah and the growing demand for advanced logistics solutions, particularly in the FMCG and F&B sectors. By establishing this facility, we are strengthening our footprint in the Northern Emirates and positioning ourselves to support the region’s continued economic and tourism-driven growth. The proactive support we received from RAKEZ, from application to construction permits, has been instrumental in helping us stay on track and execute this investment with confidence.”

Ramy Jallad, Group CEO of RAKEZ, added, “Indu’s investment reinforces Ras Al Khaimah’s position as a growing logistics and distribution hub serving key sectors across the Northern Emirates. As demand rises across FMCG, hospitality, and food supply chains, scalable warehousing infrastructure becomes increasingly vital. At RAKEZ, we remain committed to providing investors with the industrial land, streamlined processes, and end-to-end support needed to accelerate their growth and deliver long-term value to the wider business ecosystem.”

The facility’s development comes amid sustained expansion in Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism and hospitality sectors, further strengthening the emirate’s supply chain capabilities and enhancing its industrial ecosystem.

LAS VEGAS, NV – Feb 24 – Xwatch Safety Solutions, part of Hexagon, a leader in excavator safety systems, and RodRadar, developer of the field-proven Live Dig Radar (LDR), today announced the industry’s first safety-grade solution for preventing underground utility strikes. The integrated system, set to be demonstrated at ConExpo-Con/Agg 2026 (March 3-7, Las Vegas), automatically stops excavator bucket movement when subsurface utilities are detected during active excavation, making RodRadar’s Zero-Strike vision a reality.

Underground utility strikes remain among the most persistent safety and financial challenges in construction. In the United States, one to two strikes occur every minute, with over 400,000 incidents reported annually, costing the economy approximately $30 billion each year and contributing to thousands of injuries and hundreds of fatalities over the past two decades.

Nearly 50% of strikes occur because utilities were not located or were mis-located, and in 64% of incidents the buried infrastructure was more than two feet outside the marked area.

RodRadar’s AI-driven Live Dig Radar digging system uses the first-ever ground-penetrating radar (GPR) embedded directly in an excavator bucket to detect underground utilities in real- time, during excavation, without reliance on pre-project utility data. Through the RodRadar- Xwatch integration, LDR detected utilities trigger an automatic bucket stop via Xwatch’s safety- grade hydraulic control system to prevent it from hitting the utility.

The integration represents a fundamental step in excavation safety. The approach is analogous to the automotive industry’s evolution from Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that merely warn drivers, to autonomous emergency braking that actively prevents collisions: the integrated system takes direct action, delivering what RodRadar terms Stop-Before-Strike (SBS), while operators retain override capability.

Xwatch Safety Solutions brings long-standing experience in safety-grade excavator control to this partnership. With over 6,500 systems installed worldwide, the company is a global leader in excavator safety technology, providing height and slew control through proportional hydraulic intervention. Acquired by Hexagon AB in April 2024, Xwatch operates within Hexagon’s Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division, alongside Leica Geosystems and IDS GeoRadar.

“RodRadar has solved the detection problem during excavation,” said Dan Leaney, Director of Sales at Xwatch Safety Solutions. “By integrating their Live Dig Radar technology directly into our safety-grade hydraulic control, we can physically stop the machine before a strike occurs. That’s the difference between warning about a risk and actually preventing it.”

“Xwatch’s proven track record in safety-grade hydraulic control makes them an ideal partner to bring our Zero-Strike vision to reality,” said Yuval Barnea, VP of Sales and Marketing at RodRadar. “The integration further closes the safety gap, transforming LDR detections into automatic strike prevention and delivering the industry’s first-ever SBS solution. We envision this to be recommended and mandated by leading industry stakeholders, project owners, and contractors.”

Construction safety remains a critical industry concern, with 1,075 fatalities recorded in U.S. construction in 2023, the highest figure since 2011; struck-by incidents account for approximately 15.4% of those fatalities. The integrated solution aims to establish Zero-Strike Excavation as the new industry standard, with the potential to become mandated on job sites where underground utilities are present.