Positioning technology for the heavy manufacturing industry

Purpose and goal

The aim is to create prerequisites for improving the working environment and increasing personal safety in the heavy manufacturing industry by using and adapting new technology for positioning and decision support. The goal is to build a test bed at Swerim with this system where the industry can build up and test specific solutions in near full-scale industrial environment. At the same time also examine and document how users experience the benefits, security, and integrity when introducing positioning technology. This has, to all essential been achieved.

Expected results and effects

We have shown that the technology and software work well in heavy industry and challenging environments and that it creates new tools to improve workplace safety. The solution can also help improving efficiency by keeping track of equipment and materials and how it moves in the plant. We see a great deal of interest from the market and initiatives are underway from several players to bring the solutions into their production environments. The project has also established a collaboration between the project partners where a continuation to further develop the test bed is being planned.

Planned approach and implementation

The original plan could be followed up to WP5 when the developed solution was installed and tested at Swerim. WP6 Proof of concept was delayed due to lack of resources at SSAB when their contact got a new position and the project was extended for 1 year. The sharp market downturn during second half of 2019 finally put a stop to WP6 when SSAB was forced to interrupt the work. However, WP6 is not critical to the project as a whole as it was only a repetition of the installation at Swerim. The disruptions also delayed WP7 Integrity study, but the activities could be completed to a somewhat lesser extent.