How OEMs can successfully integrate AI into off-highway applications

AI integration into off-highway applications

The off-highway machinery market is experiencing a shift, driven by evolving customer expectations and service demands (e.g., predictive maintenance, lower operating cost, more connected machinery), skilled labor shortage, regulatory compliance requirements, and increased electrification.

OEMs are looking toward more autonomous systems, telematics, and solutions powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to address these challenges. AI integration can support operators by streamlining tasks, enhancing safety, and automating functions – and it can also enable more efficient and sustainable solutions, for example smart farming. In addition, increasingly software-driven vehicles (SDV) are extending equipment lifetime by adding new functionalities and upgrades through software, rather than hardware modifications.

“We see a trend towards more autonomous and AI-enhanced applications. The agricultural sector is at the forefront right now, but there are other sectors with a high interest such as construction, municipal services, or mining.”
Christiana Seethaler, Vice President Product Development at TTControl

Key requirements for AI-enhanced applications

OEMs must address several requirements to fully realize the benefits of AI-enhanced solutions for their mobile machinery and ensure reliable performance in demanding environments.

Compliance with all relevant functional safety and cybersecurity standards and constant review of evolving regulatory environments are essential to protect systems and ensure operator trust.
Companies need robust cybersecurity concepts across the whole product lifecycle and must ensure privacy and security of data.
High-performance computing: digital services and AI applications require large amounts of data that are provided by sensors and cameras. The data and its real-time processing require high computing power to accommodate current applications and future system upgrades and extensions.
To set up digitalized services, develop software, as well as build and integrate AI models, companies need specialized technical expertise. These can be provided by dedicated departments in-house, but this may not be practicable, efficient, or too costly.
Secure, reliable connectivity is the basis for all digital services. This includes connecting on-board equipment to the cloud, and edge computing capabilities on machine level to process real-time data for services like predictive maintenance, remote service, or applications in the field.

TTControl can meet these requirements with a comprehensive product portfolio. In combination with services such as application development and consulting, TTControl supports customers to successfully integrate AI and autonomous technologies into their equipment.

Full-service partner for autonomy and AI in mobile machinery

“At TTControl, we work with our customers and long-time partners to find a solution that fits – from hardware and software, from electronic control units (ECUs) and human-machine interfaces (HMIs), to computing platforms that build the brain of a modern vehicle architecture. We have a 25-year successful track record in functional safety and regulatory compliance, including cybersecurity requirements. And we build our solutions to be modular and interoperable, so they can grow with our customers’ requirements and business cases,” says Christiana Seethaler.

Autonomous or AI-enabled applications require more computing power to connect devices and process the large amounts of data collected – for decision making at the edge and/or transfer to the cloud. TTControl’s computing platforms are designed for harsh environments and can be used independently or seamlessly integrated with other TTControl products such as ECUs and HMIs. They provide a robust base for advanced automation, reliable connectivity, and safety-critical applications, while ensuring cybersecurity to guard against evolving digital threats.

TTControl's computing platforms act as the brains of modern vehicle architecture — Computing platforms are the brains of a vehicle architecture, connecting devices and components within the vehicle and with the data gateway to the cloud.

FusionAI is a multi-screen and multi-interface computing platform with an integrated Hailo-8 AI Accelerator to support accurate and reliable detection of objects. The one-box solution provides functionalities from HMI and AI to infotainment and an cloud gateway and, thanks to its many interfaces, is compatible with a wide range of devices and systems. It is already being used in the field for precision farming applications and for operator assistance in special vehicles.

MotionAI is a high-performance computing platform (HPCP) that acts as the brain of mobile machinery, enabling AI, machine learning (ML), and real-time perception at the network edge. It is automotive-grade and safety-certified and provides a computing backbone for demanding AI and ML tasks requiring high processing power. As it has similar interfaces to FusionAI, it allows existing users to easily upgrade, if they require extended functionalities for new applications.

Learn more about our computing platform solutions

FusionAI

Supports sensor fusion and machine learning applications for smarter, data-driven decisions.

MotionAI

High-performance computing platform for precise ML/AI applications with predictive algorithms.

To connect mobile machinery in the field and with the cloud, TTControl provides modular, cybersecure connectivity solutions for OEMs to fit a variety of use cases, from plug-and-play telematics to programmable gateways and connectivity modules. The portfolio is RED-compliant and ensures secure end-to-end communication and authentication, while offering seamless integration and flexibility to ensure systems are upgradable and future-proof.

TTControl also offers consulting and application development support based on their long expertise, as Christiana Seethaler explains: “We do not just provide hardware and software solutions to integrate AI – with our Application Development Center (ADC) and particularly the Emerging Technologies team, we offer OEMs a comprehensive approach with support throughout the entire machine lifecycle – from development, validation, to deployment and optimization. Customers can experiment and adapt new technologies in a controlled environment to help reduce development time and cost and deliver real value to applications in the field.”

Whether it is to bring advanced AI and autonomous capabilities to off-highway machinery or for expert guidance on an application development project, TTControl offers OEMs a comprehensive suite of hardware, software, and consulting services, ensuring reliable performance, scalability, and cybersecurity for demanding applications.

Smart farming and beyond: How OEMs can successfully integrate AI into off-highway applications

Key requirements for AI-enhanced applications

Full-service partner for autonomy and AI in mobile machinery

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