Omniplus On eServices for the Mercedes Benz eCitaro: Perfect networking – digital is completely normal

• Digital services further developed for e-mobility
• Transport companies benefit from their data
• Comprehensive monitoring and analysis data, as well as evaluations
• New ways to transmit data streams and data packages
• The new dimension of eServices: Perfect networking of bus, charging management, depot and control center

Together with the drive system, service is also changing – it has taken on a new dimension in the eCitaro. eServices are specifically geared towards electric mobility with city buses, and supplement the classic service portfolio with digital solutions. The focus is on the continuous and comprehensive monitoring of the complete vehicle technology, as well as the operating status and infrastructure down to the last detail for safe and economical operation.

Digital services further developed for e-mobility

A city bus with new electric drive technology also includes new digital services. Modified services specifically tailored to the eCitaro form the basis of this. Omniplus Uptime, the permanent monitoring of all key vehicle components, has also been extended to include the components of the eCitaro.

However, Omniplus On’s digital services are now going much further, networking buses and the transport company’s control center even more intensively. And the digitalization required everywhere? At Omniplus, it has long been part of everyday life.

Transport companies benefit from data streams and packages

Omniplus On makes them usable for transport companies, so that operations run at optimum efficiency. The eCitaro communicates with the control center and vice versa in real time. Whether monitoring of a single bus for every minute of its operation, or the holistic analysis of a complete fleet, the continuous flow of data makes it possible.

This works via the Omniplus On Portal, where information on journey data or the current bus' technical status can be accessed, such as energy consumption, the state of charge or the condition of the batteries. The data points can also be integrated into the company’s existing fleet management systems via an interface. This is also the case in the ITCS (Intermodal Transport Control System), which is used to control schedules and work rotas.

Berlin-based IVU Traffic Technologies plays a special role in the field of electromobility as a partner of Daimler Buses. Its load and charging management system generates needs-based charging plans, controls the charging infrastructure and takes into account preconditioning of the buses and load limits of the power grid. All charging processes are dynamically distributed across vehicles and charging stations so that charging is always efficient and economical.

Comprehensive monitoring, analysis and evaluation data

The continuous monitoring of all electric vehicles in real time also includes timely warnings when the state of charge drops – so that, for example, unforeseen traffic problems or diversions don't lead to a breakdown due to low state of charge.

Consumption analyses not only show the relative power consumption of individual vehicles, they also state the causes, for example increased energy consumption during longer non-operational times in winter or summer with open doors or a low recuperation rate.

Automated evaluation, the “Minimal Data Set”, is a German specialty: It provides vehicle-specific defined deployment data. It serves to justify subsidies and is transmitted to the relevant authorities. This analysis – exclusive to Daimler Buses – saves transport companies a great deal of effort when compiling statistics.

One of the classics is the continuous determination of the energy consumption and energy level on board. In the case of electric city buses, however, it is of considerably greater importance compared with gas refuelling as a result of the currently still limited range and the longer charging process. Omniplus Uptime, the continuous monitoring of all essential technical components, is on the way to becoming a classic. Omniplus Uptime has been supplemented with specific e-components for the eCitaro. One example of this is monitoring the battery temperature to prevent damage. Even today, comprehensive monitoring of every single bus down to the last detail is possible for the eCitaro.

Transport companies’ control centers can already track the state of things in real time. And this development will be enhanced: For example, the mirroring of the displays from the instrument cluster of the eCitaro in the scheduler’s display is in preparation. This facilitates communication with the bus driver, who can receive instructions immediately.

New ways to transmit data streams

Transport companies’ demand for additional vehicle data is increasing rapidly, especially in the field of e-mobility. The current FMS interface in the vehicle is thus reaching its limits.

Omniplus On provides operators with different data packages as required. The range extends from 90 to over 350 data points, and the health status can also be recorded via a full remote diagnosis. Transport companies can thus integrate the vehicle data relevant to them into their systems via an interface. Simple and without the need to retrofit additional hardware. The data points have been extensively checked and meet the highest quality standards in order to be further processed in the operators' system environment and used for analysis purposes, including by telematics providers commissioned by the transport companies. This forward-looking technology of data transmission and processing has already connected several major European telematics and ITS providers.

Daimler Buses is currently developing a uniform solution based on the common ITxPT (Information Technology for Public Transport) standard of transport companies, vehicle manufacturers and telematics providers to ensure that the different systems harmonize with each other, even in mixed fleets with several makes. This has been announced for autumn 2022, and will further expand the portfolio and offer transport companies the best choice for data transmission. What sounds complicated right from the start is a specific solution for the standardized transmission of large data streams, tailored to the specific needs of transport operators.

The new dimension of eServices: Perfect networking of bus, charging management, depot and control center

The result is the unique new dimension of eServices from Daimler Buses. It comprises the perfect networking of vehicle and operation. Continuous monitoring of individual vehicles and the entire bus fleet in a learning system ensures a smooth and maximally economic operation.