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TECHNOLOGY TRENDS & REPORTS

 

NFPA Technology Roadmap

Every other year, the National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) engages with stakeholders across the fluid power supply chain to refresh and re-publish one of its Technology Roadmaps for the Fluid Power Industry. The NFPA Roadmaps are documents that describe the evolving needs of companies in fluid power’s many customer markets, the degree to which fluid power is capable of meeting those needs, and the R&D objectives that will help fluid power meet or better meet those needs in the future.

The last full Roadmap was published in 2025 and focused on fluid power in industrial applications.

The previous Roadmap was published in 2023 and focused on fluid power in mobile applications.

2025 NFPA Industrial Technology Roadmap
2023 NFPA MOBILE Technology Roadmap

Supplement Reports and Resources

As defined in NFPA Technology Roadmaps, there are many machine-level technology trends that are actively shaping the future of the fluid power industry. These trends include the increasing electrification, connectivity, and autonomous functionality of both the mobile and industrial machines that use fluid power in their power or control systems.
NFPA launched two task forces to better understand these trends, and to engage stakeholders across the supply chain in the development of the resources and connections that will be needed to keep fluid power positioned as an actuation technology of choice on mobile platforms.

Communications & Data Protocols for Mobile Equipment

Important Reports and Documents

Communications & Data Protocols for Mobile Equipment White Paper
Communications & Data Protocols for Mobile Equipment Podcasts

Podcast - Fluid Power Forum #160:
The Power of IoT in Fluid Power: Driving Performance and Innovation Through Ecosystem Partnerships

Podcast - Fluid Power Forum #156:
J.R. Merritt Controls to Showcase Operator Interface Solutions for Off-Highway Equipment at iVT EXPO USA 2025 (06/30/25)

Podcast - Fluid Power Forum #148:
The Future of IoT in Fluid Power (03/10/25)

Podcast - Fluid Power Forum #146: State of Off-Highway Machine Software (02/10/25)

Podcast - Fluid Power Forum #137 : Hydraulic Cartridge Flow Meters for Data Acquisition (11/04/24)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #120: Elevāt to Help Connect Off-Highway Machinery at iVT EXPO USA 2024 (03/21/24)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #97: Multi-variable Position Sensor Increases Safety and Productivity for Material Handling (04/24/23)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #90: Smart Pneumatics for Packaging Equipment (01/16/23)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #89: 3D Smart Sensors Assist Operators with Mobile Machines (01/02/23)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #68: Digitization of Industrial Vacuum Systems Creates Energy and Cost Savings for Manufacturers (03/14/22)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #33: IoT Integration with Sensor and Control Technology (10/26/20)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #18: Using IoT to Grow Your Aftermarket Parts Business (03/30/20)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #13: IoT-Driven Relationships Between Fluid Power Suppliers and Customers (01/20/20)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #12: IoT-Enabled Telematics in Fluid Power Systems (01/06/20)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #4: IoT Condition Monitoring of Fluid Power Systems (09/16/19)

 

Electrification in Fluid Power

Important Reports and Documents Electrification in Fluid Power Report 
Electrification in Fluid Power Podcasts

Podcast - Fluid Power Forum #162: Off-Highway Power Transmission Methods (09/22/2025)

Podcast - Fluid Power Forum #154:
Advancing Electrification with Dual-Seal Plug Technology (06/02/25)

Podcast - Fluid Power Forum #144:
Advancing Modeling Techniques and Performance Comparisons of Electrohydraulic Systems (01/13/25)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #141: Innovative Gear Pump for Electrified Machines (12/30/24)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #130: HYDAC to Provide 48VDC Standard Electrification Kit for Mobile OEM at iVT EXPO USA 2024 (08/12/24)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #127: IFP Motion Solutions Inc. to Provide Electric PTO Systems for Work Trucks at iVT EXPO USA 2024 (07/01/24)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #125: HAWE Hydraulik to Provide Hydraulic Solutions for Electrified Vehicles at iVT EXPO USA 2024 (06/03/24)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #124: Cross Company to Provide Hydraulic Solutions that Extend Battery Life in Electrified Vehicles at iVT EXPO USA 2024 (05/20/24)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #115: EHA’s Provide Increased Performance and Safety for Industrial Machines (01/01/24)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #110: Challenges and Opportunities for Electrifying Off-Road Vehicles - CCEFP Report (10/23/23)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #92: Efficient System Solutions for the Electrification of Mobile Machines (02/13/23)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #88: State of Play: Electrification of Mobile Machines (12/19/22)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #84: Electrification for Motion Control (10/24/22)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #83: New Hydro-Electric Drive Solutions for Mobile Equipment (10/10/22)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #82: Electrification of Hydraulic Solutions Using an ePTO (09/26/22)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #81: Independent Electrohydraulic System Increases Efficiency and Reliability in Aerospace and Military Applications (09/12/22)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #76: Electrification of Hydraulic Wheel Loaders Maintains Relevance of Fluid Power (07/04/22)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #73: Fluid Power’s Unique Advantages Continue to Support Electric Truck Functions (05/23/22)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #69: Innovations in Electric Hydraulic System Technology Changing the Landscape of Waste Management (03/28/22)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #60: New Research Examines Incorporation of Electrification in Hydraulic Off-Highway Equipment (11/22/21)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #38: Electrified Hydraulic Systems for Top Loaders (01/04/21)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #34: Electrifying the Future of Hydraulic Powertrains (11/09/20)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #3: Electro-Hydraulic Smart Pumps and Power Units (09/02/19)

 

Energy Efficiency

Important Reports and Documents White Paper – Demonstrating the need for efficiency gains, and what is driving those needs (coming soon)
Energy Efficiency Podcasts

Podcast - Fluid Power Forum #158:
Sun Hydraulics to Showcase Energen for Converting Hydraulic Flow to Electrical Power at iVT EXPO USA 2025 (07/28/25)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #145: Adaptive Load Sensing and Energy Recovery Solutions (01/27/25)

Podcast - Fluid Power Forum #144:
Advancing Modeling Techniques and Performance Comparisons of Electrohydraulic Systems (01/13/25)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #140: Rethinking Hydraulic Motor Design for Transmission Efficiency in Construction Equipment (12/16/24)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #135: Quiet and Efficient Hydraulics for Electrified Machines (10/07/24)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #116: Energy Mapping Optimize Systems on Mobile Machines (01/15/24)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #109: Increasing Hydraulic Efficiency for Electrified Machines (10/9/23)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #100: High VI Industrial Lubricants and Their Impact on Equipment Efficiency (06/05/23)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #74: Smart Pneumatics Aid in Energy Consumption Reduction for Packaging Processes (06/06/22)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #65: Innovative Solution Boosts Efficiency of Hydraulics Systems in Refuse Vehicles (01/31/22)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #51: Intelligent Sensor Technology Increases Efficiency of Pneumatic Systems (07/19/21)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #31: Pump and Motor Advancements Solve Inefficiency Issues and Keep Hydraulics Competitive (09/28/20)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #22: Assessing Your Hydraulic System Efficiency (05/25/20)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #2: Energy Efficient Hydraulic Fluids (08/19/19)

 

Functional Safety

Important Reports and Documents White Paper – Reviewing existing safety standards and machine directives 
Functional Safety Podcasts

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #147: NFPA Technology Task Force Report: Machine Safety Compendium Overview (2/24/25)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #138: Improving Safety Standards for Off-Road Equipment (11/14/24)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #134: Demystifying Functional Safety in Mobile Hydraulics (09/23/24)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #121: Cutting-Edge Cartridge Valve Portfolio Increases Efficiency, Stability and Safety in Mobile Equipment (04/08/24)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #116: Enhancing Operator Safety with GSH Technology in Mobile Hydraulics (01/29/24)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #55: Hydraulic Safety Valves Reduce Hazards in Industrial Applications (09/13/21)

Pace of Technology Adoption

Important Reports and Documents
Pace of Technology Adoption Podcasts

Podcast - Fluid Power Forum #159:
Launching the Center for Off-Highway Vehicle Powertrain Innovation (COVPI) (08/11/25)

Podcast - Fluid Power Forum #147:
NFPA Technology Task Force Report Machine Safety Compendium Overview (02/24/25)

Preventing Leaks

Important Reports and Documents

Survey Results - Preventing Leaks

White Paper -  Preventing leaks in fluid power systems (coming soon)

Standard – NFPA/T2.24.2 R1-2002: Hydraulic Fluid Power Systems – Methods for Preventing External Leakage
Preventing Leaks Podcasts

Podcast - Fluid Power Forum #154:
Advancing Electrification with Dual-Seal plug Technology (06/02/25)

Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #104: Only Fluid Power Can Provide Sustainable Sealing Solutions in High Pressured Environments (07/31/23)

  Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #57: Continued Seal Advancements and the Extension of Life for Mobile Equipment (10/11/21)

  Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #16: Choosing the Right Road Seal for Your Hydraulic Application (03/02/20)

 Podcast – Fluid Power Forum #16: Choosing the Right Road Seal for Your Hydraulic Application (03/02/20)