SaMoTer Innovation Award Recognises 30 Winners Ahead of 2026 Exhibition
Thirty winners were recognised at the 25th edition of the SaMoTer Innovation Award, held in Verona on the eve of the 32nd edition of SaMoTer at Palazzo della Gran Guardia during the welcome dinner. SaMoTer, held at Veronafiere in Verona from 6 to 9 May 2026, is considered Italy’s main meeting point for the construction equipment […] SaMoTer Innovation Award Recognises 30 Winners Ahead of 2026 Exhibition published on The HeavyQuip Magazine.
machineryasia 
Thirty winners were recognised at the 25th edition of the SaMoTer Innovation Award, held in Verona on the eve of the 32nd edition of SaMoTer at Palazzo della Gran Guardia during the welcome dinner.
The awards covered several categories, including hydraulic excavators, wheel loaders, skid loaders, telehandlers, lifting machines, transport machines, plants, software applications, attachments, and components.
Innovation in construction equipment
The winning entries included machines, technologies, software, components, and digital systems developed to improve safety, operator comfort, energy efficiency, and productivity on construction sites.
The competition is open to exhibiting manufacturers, official representatives, importers, research institutions, universities, and professionals. Entries are evaluated according to criteria including energy efficiency, production optimisation, ergonomics, operator safety, and sustainability in construction processes and machine use.
The jury included technical and scientific experts, engineers, industry representatives, and international journalists. It was chaired by technical journalist Costantino Radis and included representatives from Unacea, Assodimi, and IPAF, alongside independent technical specialists.
The awards were presented by Veronafiere President Federico Bricolo, CEO Barbara Ferro, Deputy General Manager Gianni Bruno, Valeria Santolin, Exhibition Manager B2B Area, and Matteo Pasinato, SaMoTer Event Manager.
“The awarded projects include machines and technologies that improve safety, comfort, and operational efficiency on construction sites, along with increasingly advanced digital solutions for process management. […] This year, the applications and the contribution of the jury made it possible to identify proposals that mark progress in sustainability, energy efficiency, and safety.”
Special awards presented in Verona
Two special awards were also presented during the evening. The Female Leadership Award in the construction sector went to Giacomina Venieri, entrepreneur and president of VF Venieri, the long-established Italian earthmoving equipment manufacturer based in Lugo (RA), recognising her contribution to SaMoTer’s history and her role in representing Italian industry internationally.
SaMoTer Innovation Award 2026: key winners by category
Hydraulic excavators
In hydraulic excavators, DEVELON won with E-stop, a safety package built around camera-based 360-degree monitoring (SAVM) and AI detection, backed by radar that tracks objects up to about 6 m from the machine. When a person or obstacle is detected inside predefined zones, the system can automatically slow or stop rotation and travel to reduce the risk of contact.
Technical mentions went to Kobelco for the SK165SRLC, recognised for standardized production of excavators aimed at highly specialized applications.
Hitachi Construction Machinery Europe was recognised as well for its LANDCROS Mini, which also received a Design Award, and Midi Equipment for the TB20e Remote Control Kit.
Wheel loaders
In wheel loaders, awards went to VF Venieri for its VF22.03, VF25.03, VF27.03 and VF30.03 compact loader range (the new VF03 platform line), recognised for a project designed to keep operational flexibility independent of a single power source. The range is presented with multiple set-ups, including parallel kinematics or a telescopic boom, and diesel or hybrid variants, so contractors can match the machine to the job and energy availability.
Hidromek won with the HMK 635 WL Teleopera, a wheel loader configured for remote operation to keep the operator out of harm’s way while maintaining comfort even in extreme conditions.
SDLG Netherlands was awarded for the L958HEV, noted for its high-efficiency electric powertrain. On the machine side, SDLG positions it around a dual-motor drivetrain, regenerative braking and multiple work modes including ECO, supported by thermal management aimed at demanding climates.
VF Venieri and Hidromek also received Design Awards.
Skid loaders
The skid loader category saw wins for Cormidi with the Mini Track Loader CLX1500 and Makbrent with the MAK 150, both recognised for safety and performance in compact equipment.
Telehandlers
In telehandlers, Merlo was awarded for its patented system for managing non-original attachment configurations.
Lifting machines
M.T.S. won in lifting machines with the Mountain Spider, an “innovative concept” aimed at safe operation in complex and varied environments.
Transport machines
Wacker Neuson was recognised in transport machines for the Dual View Dumper DV 125 with Active Sense Control, with the jury pointing to its strong focus on safety in a fast-growing machine category.
Plants
In plants, Blend Plants received an award for the Blend E-Series and A240 Full Electric, specifically for the engineering work of integrating electrified drives while solving tight space constraints. Rotair won with the VRK-e, an inverter-driven electric portable air compressor recognised for reducing emissions and operating costs in small-compressor applications.
Cifa received a mention for the K60H Carbotech, a long-reach truck-mounted concrete pump with a seven-section boom using carbon fibre and composite materials in the final sections to reduce weight and improve balance.
Software applications
The software applications category recognised Trackunit IrisX, RI Rent Control Platform, Cosmic’s LUISCO System, and CNH Industrial Italia’s RoofX, with solutions focused on fleet management, rental operations, site safety, and modular machine systems.
Attachments
In attachments, CGT S.p.A. and Alayan won for the LDR Excavation Bucket (RodRadar Live Dig Radar), awarded for tackling a critical problem in urban excavation. The bucket integrates radar hardware and algorithms to scan continuously during digging and flag buried utilities in real time, helping reduce strikes on pipes, conduits and cables.
Other winners ranged from the Steelwrist SQ40 Quick Coupler (high hydraulic flow) to the Dynaset HRVB-HD recycling vacuum bucket, plus Makbrent, Mantovanibenne and Simex for productivity and safety gains in established attachment categories.
Components
In components, CMB won with HYDRAMEC 360°, a continuous rotation system for forestry handling intended to boost stability and reduce accident risk.
SaMoTer 2026 closed on 9 May with 42,000 professional operators attending over four days, with international participation up 38% and visitors recorded from 78 countries, underlining the show’s role as a launchpad for equipment and jobsite technology updates across the sector.
SaMoTer Innovation Award Recognises 30 Winners Ahead of 2026 Exhibition published on The HeavyQuip Magazine.
