Finalists Announced for CONEXPO 2026 Next Level Awards
CONEXPO-CON/AGG, considered the largest trade show in North America for the construction industry, has announced the finalists for the 2026 event’s Next Level Awards. This awards program is designed to highlight the many innovations taking place within the construction equipment industry.
Companies exhibiting at CONEXPO 2026 were eligible to submit their innovations under two categories — Equipment and Technology. Over 230 entries were submitted, from which a panel of judges comprised of industry association leaders and trade media selected 20 finalists, 10 in each category.
One winner from each category will be chosen and announced on Friday, March 6 during CONEXPO 2026. Attendees will have the chance to vote for their favorites during the show as well and can do so by scanning a QR code in finalists’ booths.
Finalists for the 2026 Next Level Awards
According to show organizers, finalists for the 2026 Next Level Awards came from a competitive and diverse field of submissions highlighting the next generation of equipment, technology, sustainability, and efficiency in the construction sector.
The finalists for each category represent the wide range of technology suppliers serving the construction industry from original equipment manufacturers and service providers to component and system developers, including several from the fluid power industry.
Visit our CONEXPO 2026 page for more news, interviews and other content related to one of the year's biggest events for the construction equipment industry.
“Congratulations to these outstanding finalists. Innovation is what drives our industry forward, and CONEXPO-CON/AGG is dedicated to shining a light on the trailblazers shaping tomorrow," said CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show Director Dana Wuesthoff. "These finalists for the Next Level Awards have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing this sector. We look forward to honoring their contributions on the show floor and our attendees getting the chance to see these advancements up close.”
Finalists in the Equipment Category
Innovations considered in the Equipment category include products, components, attachments and more.
Bergkamp - Journeyman Mobile Mix Plant
Bergkamp’s Journeyman is a mobile mix plant designed for Cold Central Plant Recycling (CCPR) to produce ambient asphalt mixes using virgin or recycled asphalt pavement (RAP). The Journeyman offers users mobility, ease of setup, and operational flexibility, and is well suited for work sites where other potential solutions, such as in-place recycling, is not feasible or hot mix asphalt is not available.
First Green Industries - Rockeat
Rockeat is First Green Industries’ fully electric, cabless skid steer which is purpose built for remote operation. This benefits use in space-constrained or hazardous environments, allowing operators to utilize the machine from a safe location without compromising productivity.
Flexco - FXC Steel Cord Belt Fastening System
The Flexco FXC Steel Cord Belt Fastening System can be installed immediately when faced with significant belt damage or when pulling a belt onto a conveyor system. This mechanical fastener can be installed with minimal downtime to get the belt up and running quickly.
Husco - GenSteer
Husco’s GenSteer steer-by-wire technology is designed to provide a more simplified architecture through smart system integration that eliminates duplication of hardware and software.
Instagrid - Instagrid GO
Instagrid GO is a portable power supply which delivers pure sine wave power with 3.6 kW continuous and 18 kW peak in a rugged 46 lb. unit. It provides silent and emissions-free operation for powering construction and industrial tools.
Moog Construction - Adaptive Electrification Management System
The Adaptive Electrification Management System (AEMS) from Moog Construction simplifies motion control and power management for electric vehicles. It’s a modular solution that integrates key components to reduce complexity and cost, offering easy updates via a common software platform. AEMS is designed to manage electrical actuation, power consumption, and enables automated features while configuring component modules for specific machine functionalities.
OTH Pioneer Rigging - Wireless Quick-Release LudwigHook
OTH Pioneer Rigging’s Quick-Release LudwigHook is a wireless, radio-controlled lifting hook designed to keep crews safe by eliminating the need for ladders or lift platforms. With the push of a remote, loads can be released from ground level in under two seconds, reducing risk during high or hard-to-reach lifts. It is available in 4,400- and 11,600-lb. working load limits.
Stellar Industries - Hybrid Power Source
The Stellar Hybrid Power Source (HPS) provides quiet hydraulic power without using a vehicle or machine’s engine. Instead, automotive-grade lithium-ion batteries provide low-voltage energy to help power cranes, compressors, stabilizers and tools. Using batteries instead of an engine to provide power reduces noise levels on job sites, fuel use and idling.
Vanair Manufacturing, LLC, A Lincoln Electric Company - EPEQ EPRO Power Skid
The EPEQ EPRO20 Power Skid from Vanair is a battery-powered air compressor system which delivers 20 CFM at up to 150 PSI with zero emissions and minimal noise. Because it is skid mounted, it can easily be dropped into a pickup truck be, UTV, van or trailer without requiring installation, wiring or permanent vehicle modifications. EPEQ is powered by Vanair’s ELiMENT LiFePO4 battery system.
Yanmar Compact Equipment North America - Yanmar ViO35-7 Mini Excavator
Yanmar’s ViO35-7 mini excavator features a three-pump hydraulic system to provide smooth, high power multi-function performance that enables operators to maintain faster cycle times without sacrificing control during simultaneous boom, arm, swing, and bucket movements. Inclusion of more intuitive controls and other upgrades to the excavator’s operator cab help improve operation as well.
Finalists in the Technology Category
Eligible submissions for the Technology category include software, apps, artificial intelligence and other tech innovations.
Bentley Systems - SYNCHRO
SYNCHRO from Bentley Systems is a 4D solution for visually planning, scheduling, and tracking construction projects. It enables teams to simulate plans and progress, explore what‑if scenarios, and detect issues early to make more informed decisions and thus reduce errors, rework and overall project costs.
Bobcat Company - Bobcat Jobsite Companion
Bobcat’s Jobsite Companion is an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled solution that allows machine users to employ voice-activation to manage machine functions, allowing them to keep their hands on joysticks and other machine controls. Over 50 machine functions can be managed as well as automatic optimization of attachment settings. Users can also ask questions about operation of the machine and fault codes.
Watch Bobcat's video below to see its Jobsite Companion technology in action.
BOMAG Americas, Inc. - Single Drum Roller with Remote Control
With its remote control solution, BOMAG enables operators to control a single drum roller at a safe distance when required. Operators can move seamlessly from in-cab driving to precise remote operation of all key functions by simply flipping a switch.
Dynapac North America - SEISMIC Asphalt
Dynapac’s SEISMIC Asphalt system uses sensors and software to automatically determine optimal vibration frequency and continuously adjusts to deliver the appropriate compaction effort when and where needed on the asphalt mat. It is designed to be a default setting that requires machine operators to just select amplitude and the system takes care of the rest.
Gefran, Inc. - TWIIST Multivariable Linear Position Sensor
The Gefran TWIIST multivariable position sensor provides multiple measurements in a single sensor unit, helping to reduce the size and complexity of system architectures. It provides a compact and contactless solution that can be used in a range of mobile off-highway applications and features a shielded configuration to ensure durability in harsh operating conditions.
Gravis Robotics - Gravis Rack
The Gravis Rack from Gravis Robotics enables conventional machines to be turned into intelligent robots by adding 3D sensing, cameras, and onboard compute. It can provide real-time cut/fill visibility, analytics, augmented reality guidance and people detection from the cab while also enabling autonomous excavation tasks such as trenching, bulk excavation, and truck loading.
ITI (Industrial Training International) - VR Crane Simulator
The ITI VR Crane Simulator provides realistic crane simulations that replicate real-world control responses, load behavior, and jobsite conditions to aid training and skill building for crane operators. It was developed in collaboration with equipment manufacturers to ensure proper simulation of crane operations.
Komatsu - Smart Quarry Autonomous
Smart Quarry Autonomous combines Komatsu’s quarry equipment expertise with advanced autonomous haulage technology from Pronto. It can be added as a retrofit solution to Komatsu haul trucks or installed on new trucks equipped with Pronto’s self-driving system to take advantage of autonomous capabilities in a cost-effective manner.
Moasure - Moasure 2 PRO
Moasure 2 PRO is a motion-based measuring tool that measures and draws at the same time, designed to capture area, volume, slope, and elevation data for general construction, paving, and site preparation work.
Samsara - Samsara Asset Tag
The Samsara Asset Tag makes it easy to track any asset of any size in real time. It combines a rugged, discreet design with Samsara’s network and industrial-grade Bluetooth to monitor the location of machines and other assets at all times, helping prevent theft and loss.
About the Author
Sara Jensen
Executive Editor, Power & Motion
Sara Jensen is executive editor of Power & Motion, directing expanded coverage into the modern fluid power space, as well as mechatronic and smart technologies. She has over 15 years of publishing experience. Prior to Power & Motion she spent 11 years with a trade publication for engineers of heavy-duty equipment, the last 3 of which were as the editor and brand lead. Over the course of her time in the B2B industry, Sara has gained an extensive knowledge of various heavy-duty equipment industries — including construction, agriculture, mining and on-road trucks —along with the systems and market trends which impact them such as fluid power and electronic motion control technologies.
You can follow Sara and Power & Motion via the following social media handles:
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