Smart sensors are helpful in developing automated routines that can save a great deal of time for the operator and either increase efficiency or reduce setup time. Microcontrollers and electronic control units are often the focus of intelligent machine control strategies, but these digital marvels can’t do much without input from sensors that provide input from the analog world.

Over the next several years, more equipment will add automated systems that pave the way to autonomous operations. Much of the control technology will be borrowed from passenger cars. However, the challenges facing design engineers creating off-highway equipment sensor systems are far more complex.

“On many off-highway vehicles, there are many things you can put on the vehicle; there can be hundreds of variants,” said Benedikt Schonlau, senior manager of automated driving functions at IAV. “We need to address them all with one set of sensors. On something like a tractor that pulls many different things, you can need four or more cameras and six to eight laser scanning sensors.”

Steer-by-wire systems are among many systems linked to autonomous vehicles. In most systems, digital steering controls will provide input for smart hydraulic valves that move the wheels. The sensors that provide input for these controls also generate input used for diagnosing problems. Sensors will often be buried deep inside these valves. Tight proximity to moving parts lets sensors provide precise information quickly. For example, Danfoss Power Solutions mounts a position sensor in the hydraulic valve.

“A sensor in the valve looks at spool positioning,” said Tom Rudolph, director of portfolio eSteering at Danfoss. “This tight coupling helps when you need to decide quickly whether there is a fault.”

When sensors constantly feed information to controllers, systems are receiving information that can be used to determine when faults are about to occur. Predictive diagnostics is being used to let technicians perform routine maintenance only when it’s needed instead of relying on set timetables. Prognostics can also help users arrange vehicle repairs before failures lead to unplanned downtime.

“We’re seeing a lot more investment in prognostics; most if not all companies are investing in it,” said Stephan Tarnutzer, vice president of electronics at FEV. “In many cases, they’re ahead of passenger vehicles. That’s also true in some parts of data analysis.”

The increased use of sensors and controllers is altering the displays that show data. Larger screens with touch input are becoming commonplace in many types of vehicles. These displays help simplify the user interface, giving operators information that’s relevant to the jobs being performed at the time.

“Smart sensors and advanced displays are instrumental in helping improve operator efficiency and lower operating costs,” said Kirk Lola, business development manager at Parker Hannifin’s Electronic Controls Division. “Full color, touch-capable displays allow for better operator productivity and overall machine productivity. They offer the ability to dynamically change screens and operator interfaces depending on the machine operating mode or fault conditions.”