Innovative Student Collaboration Develops Solution for Volvo Construction Equipment

• Post by: Christian Johansson
• 30th June 2024
• No Comment

Seven students from the Blekinge Institute of Technology (BTH) in Sweden and the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil have developed a solution for Volvo Construction Equipment. This project, which is part of the SUGAR Network, aims to tackle the problem of unplanned downtime in the construction industry.

The team, comprised of Samer Albardan, Simon Bååth, Sowmya Lakshmi, and Evelina Persson from BTH, along with Artur Paparounis, Gabriel Paraizo, and Rossana Tsutsumi Kallas from USP, was assigned the task of developing a Product-Service System (PSS) tailored for the construction equipment sector. This system leverages technologies such as IoT, AI, and Machine Learning to innovate the operations conducted on construction sites. Their solution, the Volvo Human Sensor (Volvo HS), incorporates these technologies to enhance the maintenance of construction vehicles and streamline daily check-ups.

The Challenge

Volvo Construction Equipment challenged the students to explore technologies that facilitate the application of a Digital Twin for managing the lifecycle of construction equipment. The objective was to develop a system that continuously assesses customer needs and offers tailored solutions throughout the entire lifecycle of the equipment.

The Solution: Volvo HS

The Volvo HS system is designed to utilize operators as ’human sensors.’ With this system, operators can perform daily machine checkups, report any anomalies, and access troubleshooting guides through an app. The system gathers contextual data from the operators and combines it with machine data to create a more accurate and predictive maintenance model.

Key Features

• Daily Checkups: Operators utilize the app to conduct routine inspections, recording the machine’s condition and noting any anomalies.
• Machine Learning Integration: The system employs artificial intelligence to analyze the collected data, predict potential failures, and recommend maintenance actions.
• Augmented Reality (AR) Guidance: The app offers augmented reality-based instructions to assist operators in performing detailed inspections and maintenance tasks.

Impact and Future Development

The Volvo HS system aims to minimize unplanned downtime by offering real-time insights and predictive maintenance capabilities. This proactive strategy enhances machine uptime and operational efficiency while lowering maintenance costs.

The project concluded with a presentation at the SUGAR EXPO in Kyoto, Japan, where the team demonstrated their solution to industry experts and received positive feedback. Their approach, which combines human intuition with advanced technology, has the potential to enhance maintenance practices in the construction industry.

As Volvo Construction Equipment explores this solution further, the collaboration between BTH and USP showcases the importance of international teamwork and student-led innovation.