Is That Hydraulics? The Accelerating Pace of Technology Change in the Fluid Power Industry

Recorded live at CONEXPO-CON/AGG in Las Vegas, host Eric Lanke interviews NFPA Advanced Hydraulics Conference presenters Barun Acharya (Parker Hannifin), Joe Budden (Danfoss Power Solutions), and Philippe Reynolds (Poclain Hydraulics) on how electrification is driving innovation in mobile hydraulics through hybrid architectures, smarter controls, and integrated mechatronic solutions. Acharya outlines hybrid strategies to reduce battery cost via engine and hydraulic downsizing, variable pumps, steer-by-wire, and faster electric motor speed control to cut losses. Budden discusses selecting among increasingly complex system architectures and highlights new EV challenges such as back EMF, torque ripple, and NVH. Reynolds presents an integrated electronic drive unit for electrified wheel hubs, emphasizing energy-based sizing, higher voltage trends, and plug-and-play integration. The panel describes company shifts toward system engineering, acquisitions, and vehicle-level testing, notes autonomy as an emerging driver, and concludes that hydraulics' power density remains difficult to replace, though electric actuators fit some niche use cases. Subscribe to the Fluid Power Forum today to never miss an episode. The podcast is available on all of your favorite podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeart Radio. Connect with host Eric Lanke, at [email protected]. Connect with Barun Acharya, at [email protected]. Connect with Joe Budden, at [email protected]. Connect with Philippe Reynolds, at [email protected]. Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA. #FluidPowerForum #electrification #energyefficiency #systemintegration