A digital twin approach to develop a new autonomous system able to operate in high temperature environments within industrial plants

The study aims to develop an innovative system solution by creating a digital twin that combines virtual prototypes, mathematical models and simulation environments. The paper focuses on the case of a new UGV (Unmanned Ground Vehicle) devoted to operate within hot metal industries. The digital twin supports both the UGV engineering as well as the redesign of the industrial procedures and plant components. The authors address the development of the heating/cooling system able to guarantee UGV reliability within a wide spectrum of operative modes in the complex environment of industrial plant. The digital twin allows to evaluate how the vehicle configuration, boundary conditions and interactions with other plant components affect the UGV systems and subsystems performance. The complexity of interactions and factors requires extensive use of simulation.