Predictive maintenance for washing machines
The maintenance of washing machines is traditionally time-consuming and cost-intensive. A new AWS-based IoT solution for Schulthess enables data aggregation for washing machines and thus also predictive maintenance.
#smart home
#connected washing machine
#IoT
,allowExpansion)
Avoid downtime using IoT
With the serviceMaster, Schulthess and Concept Reply deliver an IoT solution for washing machines that detects problems before they arise.
The scenario
Avoid cost-intensive downtime
Schulthess has been the leading Swiss supplier in the field of washing technology since 1845. The company has a long tradition of developing high-quality machines and system solutions for private and commercial customers. The maintenance of washing machines is traditionally time-consuming and cost-intensive, both for the manufacturer and the customer. The machines are either serviced at set intervals or only when a breakdown has already occurred. Both situations result in additional downtime, which must be avoided. After all, in the case of commercially used machines, these usually mean immediate economic losses.
)
The vision
Identify potential problems at an early stage
To counteract this risk of traditional washing machine maintenance, Schulthess wanted to create the conditions for predictive maintenance with a new solution: the serviceMaster. The aim was to continuously record the machine's operating data and compare it with the defined target state. In this way, abnormalities can be detected at an early stage and upcoming problems can be responded to well in advance.
The solution
Data aggregation thanks to IoT connectivity
Thanks to the support of Concept Reply's IoT backend experts, this vision became reality. As a development partner, Concept Reply has designed an AWS-based state-of-the-art solution for the serviceMaster that extends the functionality of Schulthess' washing machines to include data aggregation capabilities.
Behind this is a serverless architecture. At the heart of this is the AWS IoT Core. On the device side, a special microcontroller as an edge device and the firmware developed by Concept Reply for this purpose are the basis for the WiFi-based connection of the machines. Communication between these two components takes place via MQTT, a protocol that allows a robust and reliable connection and the efficient transmission of the extracted sensor data in real time. With IoT rules, the data is aggregated accordingly and stored in a time series database.
The Result
Smart home and personalization
With the serviceMaster, Concept Reply and Schulthess were able to create the foundation for predictive maintenance. Furthermore, the IoT connection of the washing machines can also be utilized for other use cases in the SmartHome area in the future:
Installation of over-the-air updates by the manufacturer
Evaluation of water and energy consumption as well as machine capacity utilization
Control and monitoring of the washing process via smartphone
Operation of the appliance via Amazon Alexa or Apple HomePod
Schulthess
Schulthess has been the leading Swiss group of companies in washing technology since 1845 and stands for innovation in laundry care. As a pioneer, Schulthess is breaking new ground with the aim of simplifying everyday life. The long-established Swiss company develops and produces high-quality machines, equipment and system solutions for private, commercial and industrial customers. National and international sales are complemented by professional services. Schulthess equipment stands out for its high functionality, performance and durability, and represents Swiss premium quality.
Concept Reply
Concept Reply is an IoT software developer specializing in the research, development and validation of innovative solutions and supports its customers in the automotive, manufacturing, smart infrastructure and other industries in all matters relating to the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing. The goal is to offer end-to-end solutions along the entire value chain: from the definition of an IoT strategy, through testing and quality assurance, to the implementation of a concrete solution.