The Corona crisis – reflections and learning

This year’s Automation Student competition has been decided. Ajna Hodzic and Dzenita Skulj have explored, in their prizewinning degree project, how data analysis and machine learning can reduce costs, predict maintenance and improve efficiency in rail transport. The degree project, Data Driven Anomaly Control Detection for Railway Propulsion Control Systems, has been carried out at Bombardier Transportation in Västerås, where the authors have investigated different methods for monitoring and analysing data collected during the propulsion of trains. Two machine learning techniques – monitored and unmonitored learning – are used to detect deviations and predict potential faults.

Throughout Sweden, innovation environments are established with the mission of promoting increased collaboration between researchers, SME’s and industry. Through meeting places and activities, the innovation environments contribute to faster growth in Swedish companies. Now, four strong innovation environments come together to optimize B2B networking and development in a pilot project.

We can probably agree that the corona pandemic will be demanding in many ways and we must work together to curb the negative development. For example, it is important to take advantage of the opportunity for skills development so that we are ready when the recovery takes off. Many issues and alternatives are discussed and at Mälardalen University we prepare together with various actors to support industry and society with the resources and tools we have at hand.

The spring of 2020 did not turn out as we expected. At the same time as authorities and politicians are working to reduce the spread of infection and dampen the effects of the stagnant economy, intensive crisis management and transition in industry is ongoing. How do companies think about the crisis and the future?

Automation Region's Business Development Group plans and conducts activities aimed at increased business and networking. The group's most recent meeting was conducted remotely, focusing on the effects of the corona pandemic and what the companies in the network can do to support each other. We have talked to three of the group's members - representatives from Karlskoga Automation, Atea and CGI.