One exhibition, four voices

It was an April day in Munich (Germany). Across more than 14,000 m², machines stood that could lift loads weighing tonnes, move gravel autonomously, and operate on hydrogen. Over 100 exhibits, each telling a story – of engineers pushing boundaries, mechanics making the impossible possible, and a Group that has held fast to a conviction for over 75 years: The future is not created in conference rooms. It is built, tested, driven.

“Hands on the future” – grasping the future with both hands. This was Liebherr’s motto at Bauma 2025. It was more than a slogan; it was a promise to make innovations tangible. For customers seeking reliable partners. For an industry facing massive upheaval. For people wanting to understand what tomorrow’s construction site will look like.

More than half a year has passed since the world’s most important exhibition for construction and mining machinery. But what remains of this promise? Four people share the lasting impression Bauma has made on them.

“From my perspective, Liebherr made three trends visible that will shape the coming years. Autonomous workflows with ‘Liebherr Autonomous Operations’ shift dangerous tasks into automated routines. Battery-electric wheel loaders, excavators, and hydrogen-powered large machines such as the L 566 H demonstrate progress in zero-emission drives. With ‘Liebherr Connect’, ‘INTUSI’, and digital services, structures are emerging that bring together machine status, deployment planning, and maintenance.

These trends provide answers to industry challenges: Autonomy helps address the shortage of skilled workers. Zero-emission drives are essential for climate targets. Digital networking makes complex construction projects transparently manageable.

To single out one future technology would not do justice to the situation. The real dynamism arises where these developments are consciously interconnected.”

“My most successful video captured the moment I was standing in the middle of the Liebherr booth. I wanted to convey what it feels like to be there. The 70-second video reached nearly 900,000 views and over 4,300 hours of watch time. More than 10,000 new followers have joined.

The comments were overwhelming. People described it as ‘machine heaven’ and said that the video made them curious to visit Bauma themselves.

I was especially impressed by the Test & Drive area. Going up in the MK 88-4.1E and seeing the entire exhibition ground was fantastic. The LG 1800-1.0 was, for me, the heart of the booth.

The video went viral not because it was perfectly produced, but because it showed the atmosphere. It let viewers feel what it’s really like to be there.

“The RE 25 M and the R 9400 E were emotional highlights for me. When I saw the new RE 25 M from the Liebherr balcony, I was blown away. Liebherr has never made anything like it.

The rear swing radius of just 1,570 mm is a game changer – more flexibility on the tracks, ideal for narrow track centre distances. Many older railroad excavators were around 2,000 mm. A clear step forward. I was particularly impressed by the centrally positioned support. It provides just as much stability as a four-point support.

I was very curious about the new cab: A completely new concept with the INTUSI system, redesigned controls, better visibility, new lighting. Thoughtful details like tank access, sun visor, ergonomically optimised switches.

As an operator, the ‘Test & Drive’ area was the absolute highlight for me. You don’t just watch – you get to drive yourself. You don’t just experience the technology – you feel it.”

From concept to business model

“Bauma 2025 made it clear: Technological excellence alone is no longer sufficient. The demand for holistic solutions is enormous – products must be seamlessly embedded in digital ecosystems and sustainable overall concepts. This reinforces our commitment to consistently approach innovation from the customer’s perspective.

What remains particularly memorable is the quality of the conversations. Many future topics were no longer discussed in visionary terms, but in very concrete ways: How does it work? How can it be integrated? That is precisely what ‘Hands on the future’ meant to me – bringing future technologies tangibly to the construction site.

The presentation of the Innovation Award was an emotional highlight for me. Our victory with Liebherr Autonomous Operations in the Digitalisation category demonstrates how relevant the connection between hardware, software, and new business models is. The reactions to the live showcase – autonomous wheel loaders in realistic operation – confirmed this: What we develop is perceived as a genuine solution.”

Experience Bauma once again