It provides VDL with a full
overview on the operational efficiency of all of their vehicles. Furthermore,
VDL - in close cooperation with Openmatics - will soon offer a range of
“Connected Services” to its customers.
Thomas Rösch, CEO of
Openmatics, said: "Data analysis plays a huge role in energy and charge
management for electric vehicles. We are therefore particularly pleased to
announce that VDL Bus & Coach is now utilizing the advantages of our
connectivity solution as standard.”
"As the leading provider of electric
buses in Western Europe, we are flexible and open to technology and we expect
the same of any connectivity system that we implement in-house. We've found the
ideal partner for this with Openmatics", added Henk Coppens, CEO of VDL
Bus & Coach.
The data provided by
Openmatics allows VDL to implement and improve new technologies in its
vehicles. Also, it can be monitored at any time if fleets are running well -
regardless of vehicle type, Openmatics can provide a detailed overview about
the efficiency of the operation. This significantly contributes to further
lowering the vehicle’s total costs of ownership.
The Business Intelligence
application from Openmatics, tailored to electric bus requirements, is unique.
All parameters that are relevant for electric driving can be recorded precisely
with this. The resulting data is used to generate automatic reports that
visualize parameters like detailed battery management, energy consumption,
range and vehicle diagnostics. All evaluations are available in the Openmatics
/ VDL portal and authorized users can access this portal using any mobile
device. Openmatics offers similar functions for VDL's diesel-powered city buses
and coaches, but then tailored with specific parameters - for for example ZF´s
EcoLife or TraXon transmission and chassis systems as well as parameters from
third party components. By the end of 2018, more than 300 VDL electric buses
will be fitted with the Openmatics solution.
Openmatics and VDL also have
more in store. For example, information regarding the condition of certain
components – including ZF components - will allow predictive maintenance, for
example to detect early signs of component failure prevented them before they
occur. Another application of the system consists in dynamic shifting program
for the vehicles equipped with a diesel engine based on actual and historical
data. Updating component software over the air (OTA) instead of in the workshop
could also be an option in the future. The Openmatics box in the vehicle can
coordinate this centrally and securely.
VDL Bus & Coach will not
be the only party to benefit from the benefits of Openmatics – the company is
running a project to also offer the solution to its customers. Furthermore, the
„VDL Connected Services” based on the Openmatics platform should increase the
fleet manager’s profit of ownership and keep them updated on the status of
their operation at any time. Using the Openmatics API, customers of VDL will
also be able to connect the data to their own IT infrastructure.
Source: VDL /
Openmatics