Mobile work machines into a new era – Research and industry collaboration accelerates the green transition
The goal of the INTERROB project is to develop even more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions for the electrification of work machines and to foster innovations that utilize both virtual and physical testing. Partners in the project include the University of Oulu, Oulu University of Applied Sciences (NUVE-LAB), LUT University, and companies such as Kalmar Cargotec, Arctic Drilling Company, Danfoss Editron, Treon, Wapice, HORIBA Europe GmbH and HORIBA MIRA Ltd.
The solutions developed for the unique NUVE-LAB environment at Oulu University of Applied Sciences, the only one of its kind in the Nordic countries, will significantly reduce the time to market for new, tested product solutions and lower testing costs for companies. "The project will support the competitiveness of Finland's entire work machine sector in the future," says Jukka Säkkinen, Development Manager at Oulu University of Applied Sciences.
The INTERROB project is expected to deliver not only significant research findings but also new product and service innovations, with a combined export growth potential estimated to exceed 300 million euros between 2030 and 2035. The NUVE-LAB and LUT University's state-of-the-art facilities provide excellent research and development environments for the project. The project is funded by Business Finland, with a total budget of nearly 8.5 million euros, of which 4.4 million euros are allocated to research partners and the remainder to company projects.
At the heart of the INTERROB project are cyber-physical testing solutions such as vehicle-in-the-loop (ViL) and software-in-the-loop (SiL) testing methods.
"ViL integrates vehicles into the testing environment to simulate real-world operating scenarios, while SiL enables software testing virtually before implementation," explains Professor Tero Päivärinta from the University of Oulu.
These technologies enable the development and testing of powertrain systems for work machines, work cycle scenarios, and data analytics solutions. Energy-efficient electric powertrain components are also a key focus of the project, supporting the industry's green transition.
Additionally, software development plays a crucial role in creating new solutions for both vehicle operation and testing, emphasizes Lassi Aarniovuori from LUT University.
The project builds on the Danfoss Editron Veturi program and Kalmar’s innovation initiatives, complemented by the expertise of Horiba and Danfoss Drives.