How industry can benefit from the shift to automated vehicles

Machines have long been central to streamlining industrial operations. However, whereas they were previously entirely dependent on manual control, there is now a clear shift taking place: automated and connected systems are becoming increasingly prevalent in a growing number of sectors, changing the way industrial processes are planned and executed.

– There are pilot projects involving commercial robot taxis in various parts of the world, but this type of vehicle will have the greatest impact in sectors where environments are more predictable. That's where the benefits of automation are most apparent, says Peter Janevik, CEO of AstaZero.

Asta Zero is RISE's full-scale testing and development environment where companies can trial their solutions in realistic yet controlled conditions.

Efficient work in the mine

The mining industry is an example where automated and connected machinery can play a vital role. Automated vehicles are already in use at LKAB's and Brönnöy Kalk's mines, for example, but there is still huge potential.

– Clear gains can be achieved in terms of productivity and energy efficiency, says Peter Janevik. For example, downtime during blasting can be drastically reduced if people, who are affected by the gases produced during blasting, do not need to be present in the area.

– Underground, automated machinery means that people do not need to work in areas where special safety measures are required. Additionally, ventilation, which accounts for a large proportion of energy consumption, can be significantly reduced.

Increased sustainability in agriculture

Automated machines, such as driverless tractors and precision-controlled devices, can address challenges faced by the agricultural industry, including labour shortages, stricter climate requirements and the need for greater efficiency.

– Automation enables resources to be used more precisely. Fertiliser, irrigation and pesticides can be applied only where they are needed, thereby reducing unnecessary consumption of resources.

In practice, driverless tractors, such as those offered by John Deere in the US, function as advanced robotic lawnmowers. Without a driver, the size of the machines will change.

– Driverless machines can be smaller yet still perform the same work. They are also not dependent on working hours, but can work entirely according to the conditions. This can reduce fuel requirements and facilitate the electrification of vehicle fleet, says Peter Janevik.

Although it is possible to use vehicles with traditional fuels, electrification often goes hand in hand with automation.

– However, there is a clear interaction whereby it becomes easier to electrify automated machines. This can also lead to gains in sustainability.

Automation in smart grids

The energy sector is undergoing rapid change, with growing electricity demand and increasingly complex infrastructure. The ageing structure of power plants and the increased demand for robustness make manual monitoring costly and vulnerable.

– Here, we can already see how automation is creating new opportunities for the efficient, demand-based distribution of energy through smart grids.

For local energy markets and battery-to-grid systems to function fully, intelligent and connected systems are required.

– The more of the energy system that is connected, the more precise and flexible the control can be, he says.

Tests to meet requirements

However, there are a number of obstacles that need to be overcome before the industry can reap the benefits of connected devices and self-driving machines.

– It is partly a matter of meeting legal requirements, and partly a matter of ensuring that systems function correctly in all relevant operating scenarios. This means that systems must undergo rigorous testing and validation before they can be put into use. A significant amount of testing and simulation takes place during the development process.

In practice, everything must be tested, including subsystems and entire vehicles, as well as how components integrate with each other and how the system functions in its operating environment.

– For example, a small software error in a single component can bring an entire production chain to a halt, Peter Janevik says.

Physical and virtual environments

This is where RISE comes in, offering test and development environments to meet a variety of needs.

– At AstaZero, we have both physical and virtual environments, and we can also work on site at the customer's premises. By providing stand-alone networks, control centres, and simulated target environments, we can build and test the system step by step long before it is put into operation.

The technical infrastructure of the AstaZero environment can also be linked to several RISE laboratories and facilities, whose expertise covers the entire development chain, from components to complete systems, across a range of technical areas.

– We are only at the beginning of this development. As systems become more connected and intelligent, opportunities will grow rapidly. Companies that start now will be well ahead when the shift really takes off,' says Peter Janevik.