A modern work machine does more than meets the eye; it gathers information about itself and its surroundings. The PoE network, launched in Tampere, explores how this data can birth new green businesses.
The European Union’s climate goals for 2040 require a reduction in emissions of up to 90% compared to 1990 levels. In the EU, the largest greenhouse gas contributors are electricity and heat production (27%), logistics (23%), and industry (20%).
Technology experts Johannes Hyrynen and Harri Nieminen from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland believe that these goals cannot be achieved through restrictions and coercive measures alone. Various industrial sectors must adapt to significant changes, where new business models and green technologies play a central role.
Hyrynen and Nieminen are optimistic about this development. Finnish expertise in mobile work machinery is internationally recognized, and by collaborating, the industry can achieve breakthroughs in areas such as machine learning, robotics, data transfer, and the Internet of things. This could create a chain reaction that accelerates the development of many research fields.
Tech Pollinates New Markets
Next-generation mobile work machinery is a catalyst for diverse economic growth. According to Hyrynen and Nieminen, technological advancements not only address existing needs but also create entirely new markets and business models.
One of the future business opportunities is battery repurposing, they estimate. Currently, the battery of a work machine is drained until the end of its life, after which only the manufacturing materials are recycled. In the future, the battery can be taken out of service before it breaks down, allowing it to have years of lifespan for lighter applications, such as being used as a backup power source.
For this reason, battery passports are being developed. A battery passport indicates when a battery can be taken from the work site to lighter tasks. This reduces the costs of battery replacement, increasing the attractiveness of electric work machines. One such passport solution has been developed collaboratively by the actors of the SIX Mobile Machines cluster.
The battery passport is just one example of the emergence of new operating models. According to VTT experts, the field of mobile work machinery is a systemic entity where everything is interconnected. Therefore, money invested in the sector can generate profit across multiple industrial sectors.
Green is Good for the Wallet
Hyrynen and Nieminen emphasize that the digital-green transition of mobile work machinery will only succeed if eco-friendliness also becomes economically viable. For instance, machine idling, fuel waste, and unexpected component failures are detrimental to both the environment and companies' productivity.
A traditional diesel-powered machine has two selling points that an electrified machine doesn’t yet have: it’s cheap and familiar. Therefore, a modern machine must excel in other features, such as precision, efficiency, speed, versatility, and safety.
According to Hyrynen and Nieminen, the goal is very much achievable. VTT experts report that Finland is at the forefront globally in the development of mobile work machines, and that Finnish technology, such as autonomous, data-gathering mobile work machinery, is attracting international interest.
The transition to electrified machinery is also being accelerated through legislation, particularly in Europe. The EU aims to become a global leader in combating climate change with regulations targeting the reduction of carbon emissions.
However, innovations alone are not enough. More skilled labor must be trained to operate, develop, and manufacture modern machinery to keep the industry booming, VTT experts point out.
This text is part of a series on the Mobile Machines Platform of Excellence (PoE) network, exploring six themes. The other five themes are autonomy and robotics, machine collaboration, intelligent control systems, sustainable energy solutions, and humans in the loop.
The themes are based on a roadmap developed by the SIX Mobile Work Machines cluster. The cluster is coordinated by Tamlink and includes Ponsse, Epec, Sandvik, Valmet Automotive, Valtra, Kalmar, Normet, Tana, Nokia, Danfoss, Junttan, Hevtec, Cargotec, VTT, and Tampere University.
The texts are part of an EAKR-funded project called the Twin transition of mobile work machines (SIX-PoE).
Johannes Hyrynen and Harri Nieminen are technology experts at
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, which acts as a bridge between technology researchers and companies.
Σχόλια