Case Study: Aalto University doubles construction‑equipment energy efficiency with MathWorks MATLAB, Simulink, and Simscape

Aalto University Works with Industry Partners to Develop Energy-Efficient Designs for Construction Equipment

Aalto University partnered with industry to tackle stricter CO2 limits and the need for more fuel‑efficient construction machinery by developing hybrid and decentralized hydraulic designs for excavators and loaders. To model multi‑domain systems (mechanical, electrical, hydraulic) in a way students and industry partners could use, Aalto relied on software from MathWorks—principally MATLAB, Simulink, and Simscape.

Using MathWorks tools, the team built physics‑based models (including Simscape Multibody and Simscape models of motors, pumps, and hydraulics), ran simulations to size components and test control strategies, and validated controllers in real time. The result: simulated overall efficiency more than doubled (for one excavator design, 71% vs. 18% for a traditional machine), stronger industry‑academia collaboration, and students graduating with in‑demand MATLAB/Simulink skills.

Aalto University