The TWIN4TRUCKS (T4T) research project was launched on September 1, 2022. It combines scientific research and industrial implementation. The project consortium consists of six companies from research and industry: Daimler Truck AG is the consortium leader of the project. It is the largest commercial vehicle manufacturer in the world and TWIN4TRUCKS aims to optimize its production by implementing new technologies such as digital twins or a digital foundation layer. As visionary scientific institutions, the SmartFactory Kaiserslautern technology initiative and the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence are setting the direction of development with Production Level 4. The IT service provider Eviden is responsible for data exchange via Gaia-X, quality assurance using AI methods and the DFL implementation concept. Infosys is responsible for the network architecture, 5G networks and integration services. Pfalzkom is building a regional edge cloud and a data center. Gaia-X implementation and operational concepts for networks are also included.

The digital thread takes shape

The aim of the TWIN4TRUCKS project is to develop a comprehensive system for the digital, networked production of commercial vehicles that encompasses production processes, intralogistics and quality assurance. TWIN4TRUCKS aims to achieve far-reaching digitalization in order to increase transparency and efficiency in the plant. The approach is based on state-of-the-art key technologies such as 5G, as well as artificial intelligence processes and modular networked components in the sense of Industry 4.0. DFKI and SmartFactory-KL use their research environment in Kaiserslautern for research and development. An assembly and test station is being built there, on which the real situation on the store floor can be simulated. The test bench is already in place and the team is currently working on installing a camera tower to record real image data of the truck frame, which can then be further processed using AI methods. At the Daimler Truck AG plant in Wörth, the results are being tested step by step in real truck production. The feedback from practical experience will be incorporated into the further development of the technologies in Kaiserslautern.

"We are right on schedule with the TWIN4TRUCKS research project," explains Dr. Ekkehard Brümmer, Senior Manager Manufacturing Engineering at Daimler Truck AG and project manager of TWIN4TRUCKS. After the start on September 1, 2022, the consortium has come together and a good and trusting working basis has been created.