Aalto University to establish network of companies interested in digital twin development

Aalto University is hosting DigiTwin Demo Day on 18 January 2019 to showcase the DigiTwin project and collaboration it offers for companies.

Vast amounts of data are created and collected as we develop, use, maintain and upgrade our machines and devices. This information is valuable when designing products that are better suited for different environments or making more accurate estimates about maintenance needs.

Thanks to technological advances and greater affordability, sensors and the internet of things (IoT) now make it possible to collect larger amounts of up-to-date and accurate data than ever before about, for example, the use of machines and the wear of parts.

Digital twins are intended to make it easier to exploit this information. A digital twin refers to a virtual model of a physical object – such as a product or service – that contains all the data available about its physical counterpart.

Aalto University is developing the digital twin concept in the DigiTwin research project together with Konecranes, Siemens, Ideal PLM, Remion and RD Velho, with funding from Business Finland. The overhead crane Ilmatar serves as the research platform. The crane was donated by Konecranes and is fitted with numerous data-collecting systems. A digital twin of the crane will be created as part of the project to study the opportunities the model can provide for business and mechanical engineering.

The aim is to advance the digital transformation of Finnish industry. In addition to partner companies, other Finnish companies may also take advantage of the solutions developed within the research project.

Digital twin network to promote new business opportunities

The DigiTwin project also aims to create a network of companies interested in developing the technology. Start-ups and SMEs offering products or services in analytics, product development and maintenance are of special interest, but the network welcomes everyone interested in the field.

Collaboration in the network is based on hands-on work and experiments backed by the development tools and training offered by the Aalto University Industrial Internet Campus (AIIC). Aalto University runs the network, promotes the creation of potential innovations and offers the possibility to showcase development results at the network’s events.

Within the AIIC environment, companies can test and develop their capabilities with regard to the internet of things and use the latest public research findings to update their competence. Companies may also use the network to map out business opportunities.

How to get involved:

1. Attend the university’s DigiTwin network event on 18 January 2019. You will get to know the aims and participants of the project as well as the development platform. You can find out more and sign up here.
2. In the second phase, you can bring some of your own expertise to the DigiTwin development platform, for example by providing an IoT sensor for installation.
3. In phase three, select companies will be invited to participate in closer collaboration as members of the project consortium.

For further information

Event web page
Project web page

Contact:
Project Manager, Doctoral Candidate Juuso Autiosalo
juuso.autiosalo@aalto.fi