Volvo Trucks Research Articles

Bridging the Gap: A Comparative Analysis of Regressive Remaining Useful Life Prediction and Survival Analysis Methods for Predictive Maintenance

Regressive Remaining Useful Life Prediction and Survival Analysis are two lines of research with similar goals but different origins; one from engineering and the other from survival study in clinical research. Although the two research paths share a common objective of predicting the time to an event, researchers from each path typically do not compare their methods with methods from the other direction. Given the mentioned gap, we propose a framework to compare methods from the two lines of research using run-to-failure datasets. Then by utilizing the proposed framework, we compare six models incorporating three widely recognized degradation models along with two learning algorithms. The first dataset used in this study is C-MAPSS which includes simulation data from aircraft turbofan engines. The second dataset is real-world data from streamed condition monitoring of turbocharger devices installed on a fleet of Volvo trucks.
 
 
 

Hierarchical Control of Heavy-Duty Trucks Through Signalized Intersections With Non-Deterministic Signal Timing

This paper presents a hierarchical Green-Light Approach Speed (h-GLAS) strategy for controlling heavy-duty trucks traveling through urban/suburban environments, where future intersection signal phase and timing (SPaT) information is non-deterministic. Through vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, past SPaT information is sent to the vehicle and is used to forecast future predictions of the signal timing using a Gaussian Process (GP) model. The h-GLAS strategy uses the predicted SPaT information to generate an efficient desired velocity profile that navigates through intersections where the probability of a green light is maximized. This velocity profile is tracked by a convex model predictive controller (MPC) that simultaneously minimizes mechanical energy expenditure and braking effort over its prediction horizon. Downstream from the MPC, we implement a command governor (CG) that adjusts the MPC output by the minimum amount necessary to maintain safe vehicle following and ensure that the vehicle stops at all red lights. Using a proprietary medium-fidelity Simulink model provided by Volvo Trucks, we characterize the h-GLAS strategy’s performance over a real suburban route, consisting of 10 actuated signalized intersections, using actual SPaT information provided by the NC Department of Traffic (DOT). Simulation results demonstrate a 30-43% reduction in fuel consumption, as compared to a baseline control strategy, which is attributable primarily to avoiding the massive energy losses associated with braking. Furthermore, we evaluate the computational efficiency of our approach by assessing average simulation execution times.

Domain Adaptation in Predicting Turbocharger Failures Using Vehicle’s Sensor Measurements

The discrepancy in the distribution of source and target domains is usually referred to as a domain shift. It is one of the reasons for the inferior performance of machine learning solutions at deployment. We illustrate that the domain shift issue is pertinent to the readings of the vehicles’ operational sensors. This is due to the fact that these measurements are collected over a period of time and are susceptible to various changes that happen in the meantime. Examples of these changes are usage pattern variations, aging of the vehicles, seasonal shifts, and driver changes. However, domain adversarial neural networks (DANN) have shown promising results to reduce the negative impact of the domain shift. The present study investigates domain adaptation (DA) in the predictive maintenance field by estimating the remaining useful life (RUL) of turbochargers. The devices are operating on a fleet of VOLVO trucks, and the information about their services is collected over four years between 2016 and 2019. The input features to the model are a set of bi-weekly collected measurements called logged vehicle data (LVD). The contributions of this paper are two-fold. First, we propose a new approach for detecting domain (covariate) shift using an autoencoder. Second, we adapt domain adversarial neural networks to the specific application of predicting turbocharger failures. Finally, we deploy a recurrent feature extraction layer in the DANN architecture to incorporate temporal aspect of the data. The experimental results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method over the traditional approach.

Noise Exposure Assessment in Construction Equipment Operators in Tehran, Iran.

Occupational hearing loss is a common complication among construction workers, especially those working with heavy machinery and construction equipment. This research measured the noise that construction operators are exposed to, and proves that most of the construction equipment operators that we studied have a potential risk of hearing impairment. We examined 22 types of construction machinery that are commonly used in various stages of construction projects in Tehran (demolition, excavation, and execution). The noise that construction operators were exposed to was measured with a dosimeter during 8 working hours, and the Time-Weighted Average (TWA) was calculated for each operator according to OSHA standards. Finally, a suitable hearing protection device (HPD) was suggested. The results indicated that the operators of D8N (opened-cab) and CAT D8L SA (closed-cab) bulldozers were exposed to more noise than other operators in this study. Hand-saw, Caterpillar 943, and Komatsu 470 loader operators were also exposed to significant noise levels. Other operators, such as drivers of older Benz and Volvo trucks, the Backhoe HLB95, the Soosan mobile crane, and the Bobcat were also exposed to heavy noise that put them at risk of occupational hearing loss.

Transforming brand core values into perceived quality: a Volvo case study

Core values are an important part of Volvo Car Group's and Volvo Trucks' strategic development plans. These two companies share the same core values, quality, safety, and environmental care, but they approach these values in different ways. This study seeks to understand how industry professionals and customers perceive these core values and the attributes that are associated with them, using semi-structured interviews with industry professionals from both companies and quantitative survey methods with customers. The purposes of this study are to investigate how designers convey core values to customers through product attributes and how customers perceive those core values through the same attributes. Such an understanding reveals the commonalities and discrepancies between the perspectives of producers and customers, and can contribute to more effective design processes that communicate company values in the early product development phases.

Research on the quality of diesel fuel provided by LLC Ferronordic Trading House

Ferronordic is the official dealer for Volvo Construction Equipment, Dressta, Mecalac and Rottne. In addition to sales and after-sales support for Volvo Construction Equipment, the company is a dealer for servicing Volvo and Renault Trucks, as well as a dealer for Volvo Penta for servicing industrial and marine engines in some regions of Russia. The company collaborates with other well-known brands and several suppliers of attachments. The Swedish concern Volvo Group supplies to the Russian market trucks equipped with diesel engines with Common Rail injection system, as well as with pump nozzles. Diesel mechanical and electronic pump nozzles perform timely and metered injection of the working mixture into the combustion chambers of the cylinders of a diesel engine. The mechanical nozzles are driven by a high-pressure fuel pump, while the electronic ones are controlled by the Common Rail electronic injection system and are constantly under intense mechanical stress. Poor quality diesel fuel leads to: loss of power, lack of traction and instability of the engine; overexpenditure and fuel leakage from sprayers; change in spray angle and time; change in the amount of injected mixture; the appearance of knocks and noises, black and bluish smoke during exhaust. The results of research work on the study of the quality of diesel fuel of the company LLC Ferronordic Trading House are presented. The physicochemical properties of diesel fuel were studied experimentally, such as: density, fractional composition, mass fraction of sulfur, mass fraction of water, flash point, limiting filterability temperature and cloud point.

New Engines at Volvo Trucks

New Engines at Volvo Trucks

THE EFFECT OF SERVICE RECOVERY JUSTICE PERCEIVED SATISFACTION AND IMPACT ON RELATIONSHIP QUALITY, AND PURCHASE INTENTION AT PT INDOTRUCK UTAMA AS ONE OF VOLVO TRUCKS INDONESIA’S DEALER

The purpose of this study was to influence the Service Recovery Justice Perceived Satisfaction and Impact on Relationship Quality, and Purchase Intention at PT Indotruck Utama As One Volvo Trucks Dealer Indonesia. The study design was a survey with causality analysis of quantitative methods. The population in this study is that consumers Volvo truck Indonesia. The sample selection using sampling nonprobability with 100 respondents. This study uses primary data derived from questionnaires. Mechanical questionnaires using Likert scale measurement. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with the help of program LISREL 8.8. The results showed that procedural justice is proven positive effect on service recovery satisfaction, distributive justice is not a positive influence on service recovery satisfaction, interaction justice proven positive effect on service recovery satisfaction, service recovery satisfaction proven to have a positive influence on relationship quality, and service recovery satisfaction proved have a positive influence on purchase intention in PT. Top Indotruck as one of the Volvo Trucks dealer Indonesia. Complaint handling service recovery after a failure of the service used as one way to establish an ongoing relationship and be useful for the PT. Top Indotruck. The management should aim at customer satisfaction as much as possible so as to provide a sense of comfort and content for consumers, a grievance effective given the management of dealer Volvo Trucks Indonesia through service restoration can strengthen the quality of positive relationships that attract consumers to make purchasing decisions on product Volvo

In the end, it is up to the individual.

ABSTRACTThe discussion on automated mobilities tends to be highly speculative and future-oriented. Many predictions have been made about the ways in which transport will be radically transformed by the ongoing development and implementation of various automated technologies. One criticism leveled at this rapidly expanding societal debate is that it is often based on mere-conjecture. There is a benefit in doing more grounded analysis of automated transport futures, which relate to specific events, organizations, persons, and contexts.In May 2019 Anthony Elliott and Sven Kesselring had the opportunity to talk to Anders Eugensson from the Volvo Group about the current state of the discussion seen from a Europe based car producer. Anders Eugensson has been working for the former Swedish car producer for decades, that is part of the Chinese Geely Group, since 2010. He was involved in many corporate initiatives in the automation of land-based transport. From 2003 to 2018, he served as the Director of Governmental Affairs within Volvo Car Corporation. In 2013, Eugensson received the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s US Government Special Award of Appreciation. Currently, he works as an Autonomous Vehicle consultant to Volvo Trucks and Buses.Anthony Elliott and Sven Kesselring sat down with Eugensson to talk about his thoughts and experiences on how transport systems are being automated in a multitude of ways – some hidden, with others in plain sight. Eugensson mainly talks about the topic against his background at Volvo but much if it is actually representative for many developments in the global automotive industry.The interview took place at the inaugral Workshop event of theErasmus+ Jean Monnet Network “Cooperative, Connected andAutomated Mobility: EU and Australasian Innovations (CCAMEU),held in Munich, Germany in May 2019.

Autonomous Production Workstation Operation, Reconfiguration and Synchronization

The decoupling of production line’s workstations and its equipment from the higher layers in an automation architecture has the potential to provide the following benefits: 1. Dynamic workstation reconfiguration; 2. Autonomous synchronization of workstation equipment; 3. Autonomous workstation operation.Each of these benefits will improve the automation flexibility at each workstation and for the whole production line.Introducing IoT equipment into workstations and making use of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) fundamentals such as lookup, late binding and loose coupling are shown here to provide the above benefits. In addition, the cost of such an implementation and deployment seems to be significantly less than the comparable cost for legacy technology.An implementation, using the SOA approach on a workstation, at the Volvo Trucks production facility in Gothenburg was made possible thanks to the Arrowhead framework, which has been shown to provide all three listed improvements.The analysis of the above-mentioned demonstration clearly shows how the workstation reconfiguration is made simple using the arrowhead ServiceRegistry system. Autonomous synchronization is achieved through the look-up and late binding capabilities provided by the arrowhead Orchestration system in cooperation with the ServiceRegistry system. Finally, autonomous workstation operation is provided through the support of the arrowhead Workflow Manager and Workflow Executor systems.All these benefits were achieved at a significantly reduced cost compared to comparable legacy implementation.

Learning Low-Dimensional Representation of Bivariate Histogram Data

With an increasing amount of data in intelligent transportation systems, methods are needed to automatically extract general representations that accurately predict not only known tasks but also similar tasks that can emerge in the future. Creation of low-dimensional representations can be unsupervised or can exploit various labels in multi-task learning (when goal tasks are known) or transfer learning (when they are not) settings. Finding a general, low-dimensional representation suitable for multiple tasks is an important step toward knowledge discovery in aware intelligent transportation systems. This paper evaluates several approaches mapping high-dimensional sensor data from Volvo trucks into a low-dimensional representation that is useful for prediction. Original data are bivariate histograms, with two types—turbocharger and engine—considered. Low-dimensional representations were evaluated in a supervised fashion by mean equal error rate (EER) using a random forest classifier on a set of 27 1-vs-Rest detection tasks. Results from unsupervised learning experiments indicate that using an autoencoder to create an intermediate representation, followed by $t$ -distributed stochastic neighbor embedding, is the most effective way to create low-dimensional representation of the original bivariate histogram. Individually, $t$ -distributed stochastic neighbor embedding offered best results for 2-D or 3-D and classical autoencoder for 6-D or 10-D representations. Using multi-task learning, combining unsupervised and supervised objectives on all 27 available tasks, resulted in 10-D representations with a significantly lower EER compared to the original 400-D data. In transfer learning setting, with topmost diverse tasks used for representation learning, 10-D representations achieved EER comparable to the original representation.

Automaker-supplier relationships and new product development in the truck industry: the case of Volvo do Brasil

Previous studies have focused on differences between western and Japanese approaches to supply chain network management techniques as regards NPD and relationship-specific ties. Based on in-depth interviews with senior managers at Volvo Trucks Brazil and two Spanish first tier suppliers, the aim of this research is to learn about the types of NPD collaboration ties used between Volvo and suppliers and to examine the supply chain network management techniques and routines used to intensify inter-firm collaboration and promote value-chain optimisation. One main finding of this research is that there is not one best buyer-supplier relationship style for NPD, but that relationships differ significantly depending on the degree to which the buyer relies on the capacity and technology possessed by each provider. Lower NPD frequency than in the car industry and the introduction of the Volvo production system in 2007 also make buyer-supplier relationships focused on NPD stronger in Volvo Trucks than in previously researched big car firms.

자동차 경량화를 위한 다이캐스팅용 알루미늄합금 브레이크 페달의 강도해석

Article history: In this study, a strength analysis was performed to assess die-cast aluminum alloy brake pedals as an improved alternative to wrought alloys. Aluminum brake pedal shapes are considered to be suitable for the die-casting process. The strength criterion of Volvo trucks was used as the criterion for the pedal strength. The results of this analysis showed that the frame thickness of the aluminum brake pedal must be increased from 12 mm to 18 mm to have a strength superior to that of a steel brake pedal. Additionally, the stress and weight of the aluminum brake pedal were found to be approximately 24% and 26% lower than those of the steel brake pedal, respectively. Mounting tests and strength assessments verified that the proposed die-cast aluminum alloy brake pedal demonstrated sufficient

Cooperative Self-declaring of Weight for Trucks

This paper explains how a new concept with cooperative self-declaring of truck weight may reduce time lost for trucks at control stations as well as improve the traffic controls for public authority. The truck voluntarily shares its weight and identity with a roadside station that in turn shares the info with a dedicated back office system. The back office system controls the weight and checks the administrative registers for traffic remarks, insurance and public fees. The work is done in cooperation by NPRA and Volvo Trucks under the European project MOBiNET.MOBiNET is “the Internet of (Transport and) Mobility”. It is an Internet-based network linking travellers, transport users, transport system operators, service providers, content providers and transport infrastructure. It connects users (people, businesses, objects) with suppliers (operators, providers, systems), and brokers (or helps to broker their interactions). At its core is a “platform” providing tools and utilities to enable those interactions, with components both for users and for suppliers.

Fair Value Cost Measurement Practice: Case Study Volvo Trucks

This article investigates some of the sound reasons why the IASB ( IAS/IFRS), FASB (SFAS) have jointly spur up recommendations and application for fair value measurements to assets and liabilities rather than the historical cost measurement principle. The research is focused on using a practical scenario to support the application of fair value accounting measurement. In this research paper, Volvo Trucks was selected as a good example of a segment of VOLVO AB to explain the advantages of fair value measurement. Volvo trucks being a profitable segment of the parent VOLVO AB measures its accounting records using the fair value in all of its active markets. The purpose of my research question is to ascertain the costing technique measurement records in the balance sheet of VOLVO Trucks with the guidance of the International Accounting Standards Boards (IASB) and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB).

Eye movement and brake reactions to real world brake-capacity forward collision warnings—A naturalistic driving study

The purpose of this field operational test study is to assess visual attention allocation and brake reactions in response to a brake-capacity forward collision warning (B-FCW), which is designed similarly to all forward collision warnings on the market for trucks. Truck drivers’ reactions immediately after the warning (threat-period) as well as a few seconds after the warning (post-threat-recovery-period) are analyzed, both with and without taking into consideration the predictability of an event and driver distraction. A B-FCW system interface should immediately direct visual attention toward the threat and allow the driver to make a quick decision about whether or not to brake.To investigate eye movement reactions, we analyzed glances 30s before and 15s after 60 naturally occurring collision warning events. The B-FCW events were extracted from the Volvo euroFOT database, which contains data from 30 Volvo trucks driving for approximately 40000h for four million kilometers.Statistical analyses show that a B-FCW leads to immediate attention allocation toward the roadway and drivers hit the brake. In addition to this intended effect during the threat-period, a rather unexpected effect within the post-threat-recovery-period was discovered in unpredictable events and events with distracted drivers. A few seconds after a warning is issued, eye movements are directed away from the road toward the warning source in the instrument cluster. This potentially indicates that the driver is seeking to understand the circumstances of the warning. Potential reasons for this are discussed: properties relating to the termination of the warning information, the position of the visual and/or audio warning, the conspicuity of the warning, the duration of the warning, and the modality of the warning.The present results are particularly valuable because all on-market collision warning systems in trucks (and almost all in cars) involve visual warnings positioned in the instrument cluster like the one in this study. Acknowledging the fact that human machine interface (HMI)-design is challenging, the conclusions lead the way toward HMI design recommendations for collision warning systems.

Silumins: The Automotive Alloys

Abstract Aluminum-silicon (Al-Si) alloys have good castability in combination with high corrosion resistance, thermal conductivity, and specific strength, making them a strong candidate for many automotive applications. This article describes the processes used in the production of die-cast AlSi9Mg engine brackets for Volvo trucks, the effects of solution treatment temperature on Si particle size, and the benefits of Mg additions on yield strength and heat treatability.

Improving the prerequisites for customer satisfaction and performance

PurposeThe paper aims primarily to describe and analyze how the strategic and operational relationship with independent dealers has been improved and controlled. The paper also aims to describe and analyze the improvement program that the dealerships have designed, adopted and implemented, and the improvements that have resulted from them.Design/methodology/approachThe paper used an explorative, qualitative research approach using in‐depth interviews. In order to achieve a prior understanding of Volvo Trucks North America's (VTNA) quality improvements at the dealerships, three in‐depth interviews were conducted with dealers in the USA. One interview was held with a business manager responsible for five dealerships in the Chicago area, and another with the person in charge of the quality improvement program at the corporate level.FindingsThe key to success lies in the strategic and systematic implementation of the tools and programs with which VTNA has provided its dealerships. The following six factors were identified as key issues in VTNA's improvement program: customer focus, product quality, service experience, employees, information and communication technology, and customer satisfaction.Originality/valueThis paper illustrates how a large company such as Volvo is able to positively influence a large number of smaller companies using a small number of policies.

Trend towards clean and fuel-efficient trucks

The IAA Commercial Vehicles 2008 in Hanover is a platform for numerous new presentations in the truck sector. The Mercedes Actros MP3 is celebrating its premiere at the show, the two Volvo AB subsidiaries Volvo Trucks and Renault Trucks are presenting their long-distance truck series, while MAN and Scania are focusing on their Euro 5 engines with exhaust gas recirculation — although the Munich-based company has also updated its light and medium-weight series. This report presents an overview.

Low noise truck study for distribution in urban areas

Today, vehicle noise is identified in opinion pools as one of the main annoyance source in urban areas. To face this issue, truck manufacturers are today developing low noise vehicles in order to allow their customer to deliver goods in urban areas during night. An acoustic research program has been launched by Volvo 3P (Volvo Trucks, Renault Trucks and Mack Trucks): the LUT project as Low Noise Urban Truck. The partners of the project are Michelin, the Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Lyon (INSA) - a French university - and Marmonier - a noise shield manufacturer. This project has been founded by ADEME The target in terms of noise reduction is ambitious because the low noise truck will emit an acoustic power four times lower than today's vehicles in specific rolling conditions! Methods and tools have been developed to analyze the vehicle noise sources in urban conditions and define acoustic solutions to reduce the main vehicle noise sources.