ASPECT – A System for Electric and Connected Transport Solutions | 2021-2024
- Post by: Tobias Larsson
- 7th December 2021
- 11 Comments
Project ASPECT aims to, based on learnings from pilot Electric-Site, lift the technology to an energy optimized solution to scale in both volume and size. Focus for this project is within confined area. The project includes design of energy infrastructure, electric system on machines and site management system. Furthermore it includes validation of digital infrastructure for system, method and requirements on infrastructure, digital twin for energy optimized system and to understand if it is possible to increase energy efficiency by using teleoperation.
Aspect aims to design a system of electrified machines in a confined area. Together with partners in the project we combine automotive and digital technologies to enable digitalized and energy optimized solutions for a site. Furthermore, the target is to create a testbed for a digital infrastructure for the system, a method to identify and evaluate requirements of the infrastructure for electrified machines and virtual models for energy optimization. The project results will be presented at a final demonstration in a digital environment.
The project is led by Volvo and structured in five horizontal and two vertical work packages. H1 Project management (Volvo) H2 Digital infrastructure for a site and system of machines (Telia, Ericsson) H3 Method and requirements of infrastructure for standardization (GU) H4 Digital twin for energy optimization of a site and system of electric machines (BTH) H5 Dissemination of results and preparation of demonstration (Volvo) V1 System for electric machines and charging technology (Volvo) V2 Process control for energy optimization of electrified machines (Volvo)
Final report
ASPECT builds on the findings from the Autonomous Electric Quarry project (Energimyndigheten dnr
2015-003982), where an autonomous electric fleet and other electric machines were deployed in a
Swedish quarry, demonstrating significant reductions in tailpipe greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and
energy usage. Autonomy in transport solutions can be a key enabler for electrification in the mining
and quarry industry, particularly through the “Elephants to Ants” approach. The concept involves
replacing larger diesel-driven haulers with numerous smaller electric haulers operating autonomously
as a fleet. Autonomous haulers eliminate additional driver costs and address safety and driver
availability issues, a key enabler for a “Elephants to Ants”-transition. This approach provides Volvo with
an opportunity to enter the mining segment, currently dominated by large machines from non-
Swedish automotive OEMs.
The primary purpose of the ASPECT project has been to contribute to a comprehensive electric and
autonomous transport solution that is energy-efficient, scalable, sustainable, and reliable. By
operating machines and vehicles as one system, the overall site process can be optimized, creating
value and minimizing waste across the entire transport solution, rather than just in individual machines
and vehicles.
The Volvo autonomous transport solution is at the cutting edge of technological innovation,
necessitating close collaboration among the automotive, telecommunications, and mining and quarry
industries to develop a robust and scalable industrialized system. Partnering also with academic
institutions offers new insights into areas where the industry has had less opportunity to focus.
Through this project, the ASPECT consortium—comprising Volvo Autonomous Solutions, Volvo
Construction Equipment, Voysys, Telia, Ericsson, Blekinge Tekniska Högskola, and Göteborg
University—has bolstered Swedish expertise in the research, development, and innovation of
connected, electric, and autonomous transport systems. We have generated valuable data and
knowledge that enhance the overall level of innovation and international competitiveness in this field.
Moreover, we have expanded our network, established new partnerships, and created opportunities
for future collaborations.
The project has advanced Volvo’s autonomous electric transport solution, elevating the system’s
various components to Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL6), moving towards the industrialization of
a scalable electrified autonomous transport system for machines and vehicles.
Ericsson and Telia explored the 5G connectivity requirements of the digital site, with a specific focus
on the autonomous transport service, and effectively showcased data flow differentiation.
Voysys investigated simulation environments for teleoperation and assessed the energy impact of
seamless transitions from autonomous to teleoperated modes. Blekinge Tekniska Högskola (BTH)
developed a modular digital twin for confined areas to evaluate the optimal setup of the autonomous
fleet in a quarry, focusing on energy and productivity efficiency. BTH also collaborated with Volvo
Construction Equipment to develop dynamic machine models for the larger electric hauler designed
within the project. Additionally, Göteborg University examined requirements engineering for digital
twins and AI in the context of confined area autonomous transport solutions.
Final report: PDF 5.6 MB
Project info
BTH project leader: Professor Tobias Larsson
Time span: 20211101 – 20240630
Funding: 97 MSEK (30.24 MSEK VINNOVA FFI)
Partners:
- BTH
- Ericsson AB
- Göteborgs University
- Telia Sverige AB
- Volvo Autonomous Solutions
- Voysys AB
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