Zero4 Ecosystem

AIWo is a co‑innovation project that focuses on improving fieldwork operations by advancing AI technologies and strengthening human–AI collaboration. It addresses challenges such as labor shortages, limited process documentation, and inefficient troubleshooting and remote support.

The AiWo consortium brings together 4 academic and 7 industrial partners, including Konecranes, Aalto University, Tampere Universities, KONE, and Ponsse. Together, the partners research technical solutions and develop proof‑of‑concepts, and evaluate them through real‑world user testing. The aim of AiWo is to equip Finnish companies with cutting-edge AI technologies and human-centric collaborative methods to thrive in the competitive international markets. 

The HiFive project's central theme is meaningful industrial work in hybrid human-technology-AI-teams. The project focuses on improving the well‑being, engagement, and inclusiveness of factory workers as new technologies transform manufacturing environments. In addition to the effect of new technologies such as AI on industrial work, amongst studied subjects are the emergence of physical–virtual workspaces and demographic changes. 

By ensuring that human‑centric, sustainable, and resilient workplace development progresses alongside improvements in productivity, quality, and factory throughput, HiFive supports the Industry 5.0 vision. The project strengthens the competitiveness of Finnish industry by helping create more meaningful and attractive manufacturing jobs that appeal to future talent. 

The HiFive consortium is led by VTT.

The MixedFleet research project's objective is developing mixed fleet concepts for intelligent worksites. This means studying how autonomous machines and human workers, as well as manually operated machines, can operate safely and efficiently within the same workflow. The project also examines how worksite operations can be optimized by combining machines of different types, models, and manufacturers.

MixedFleet was the first co-funded project in the Zero4 program, and has been running since 2023. Research partners participating in the project are Tampere University and VTT, and industry partners include Mitsubishi Logisnext Europe, Konecranes, Atostek, and Navitec. In addition to technological knowledge and research, the project produces novel business opportunities, and studies value creation in multi-actor collaboration.

Coordination of the collaboration between partners in the project is done by FIMA (Forum for Intelligent Machines ry).

The DaRe-X co-innovation joint project aims to speed up the manufacturing industry’s shift to a circular economy by delivering practical examples and tools. It focuses on data-driven Re-X processes and technologies that use digital twin lifecycle data to enable sustainable and efficient operations. Key aspects include design for circularity, selecting suitable Re-X processes, and understanding environmental impacts. The goal is to identify where circularity creates value, provide tools for circular maturity assessment, and support lifecycle‑extension decisions that strengthen the competitiveness of Finnish industry and advance the transition from linear to circular models.

The large interdisciplinary research project involves research groups from LUT University and University of Oulu. The new Re-X processes will be implemented in the participating OEM companies Glaston, Konecranes and Mitsubishi Logisnext Europe. Supporting the transition are solution providers Atostek and Kaltiot Technologies, and other business partners include Sofidium and following members Danfoss Editron and Mirka, along with their leading company ecosystems.

Driven by the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry, the TwinFlow project aims to enhance production and intralogistics operations through advanced data-driven solutions. The project's research focuses on data governance and architecture, identification and tracking technologies, and the use of data spaces, analytics, simulation, and visualization to improve situational awareness and asset flow management. The goal is to combine IoT technologies, information technologies (IT), operational technologies (OT), European data architecture models, and fair data economy principles into a unified concept that brings new business value for ecosystem partners. 

The project's consortium consists of two universities and ten companies. The research is carried out by nine research teams from Aalto University and Tampere University. Industry partners include Konecranes, Ponsse, Mitsubishi Logisnext Europe, Fastems, Prima Power, Vaski, Vaisto, Noccela, Eviden Finland, and 1001 Lakes.

Deepening Integration in Manufacturing (DIM) is a strategic project set to strengthen Finland’s position as a global leader in innovation collaboration with the support of the data economy. DIM addresses the dual challenge of green and digital transformation by building a community‑driven innovation ecosystem. The project is structured around four key pillars: community building, digital learning platforms, competence networks, and proofs of concept. Together, these form a foundation for more integrated manufacturing practices, accelerated digitalization, and increased collaboration across participating organizations.

The consortium includes Konecranes, Mirka, Promeco, Synocus, Tampere University, and Wärtsilä. Each of the partners contribute through focused initiatives, and Konecranes' focus is on enhancing the integration platforms for automatic tracking of material movements and routes. By leveraging the strengths of each participant, DIM will establish a national network of competence centers. This collaborative effort is poised to turn the twin transition into a national competitive advantage. 

The VIIMA project explores improvements in real-time fatigue monitoring in the welded structures of non-road mobile machines. The ongoing transition towards electrification and sustainability will make lightweight, yet durable steel structures even more necessary. The ability to fatigue monitor dynamically loaded structures in real-time will enhance the sustainability, productivity and resilience of companies. VIIMA uses real-time simulation to calculate operational loads and the load history in specific applications, and this history is then used for fatigue assessment. 

The project is pioneered by two universities, LUT University and University of Oulu. Industry partners involved are Konecranes, Sandvik, and Ponsse,​ and other participants and following members include Mevea, Ioncor, Stalatube, Dassault Systemés, EDR Medeso, RaFaMo, and RAND Finland.​​

The Drive Forward project investigates energy-efficient solutions for hydraulic linear actuators in mobile work machines. The objective is to evaluate the feasibility of adopting an electromechanical hydraulics architecture for electric reach stackers, considering technical performance, economic viability, and sustainability impact​. Improving the energy efficiency of machines makes it possible to both reduce emissions and extend the charging interval of battery-powered machines, enhancing the sustainability of Finnish industry.

The research is conducted by Aalto University and Tampere University in collaboration with 14 industry partners.