Skip to main content

VDMA is ensuring machine communications

The VDMA is ensuring integrated machine communications.
By MJ Woof July 30, 2025 Read time: 1 min
Better digital interfacing between construction machines will be achieved through the MiC 4.0 working group


The German construction machine manufacturing association, VDMA, is playing a key role in ensuring the simplification of digital communication of construction machines. The MiC 4.0 working group is an association of leading companies from the VDMA and HDB associations and aims to deliver better digital communications for the construction machinery market.

The work will apply to construction machines and attachments and systems and be achieved through cross-manufacturer standards. According to the VDMA, the focus is on immediate benefits for users, with greater transparency, compatibility and efficiency on the construction site.

The MiC 4.0 Guideline explains key developments and applications. The MiC 4.0 TestTool for machine manufacturers can be used by OEMs to check whether their machines comply with the MiC 4.0 requirements in accordance with ISO 15143, a crucial step towards interoperability. The open MiC 4.0 database shows which manufacturers have tested which machine types and what data is available for each. The MiC 4.0 BUS for attachments is a standardised data protocol that enables automatic attachment recognition, without additional displays, software adjustments or hardware changes.

This results in specific advantages for construction machine operators, construction companies and system providers. It reduces effort when changing machines and attachments, allowing improved data integration and clearly defined interfaces for networked construction site processes. 

 

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Road construction software innovations
    February 13, 2012
    A range of key software innovations are now available for road construction applications from various suppliers - Adrian Greeman writes. Two significant and highly economic alternatives are now available to the major CAD providers both from Belgium and both offering interesting features. First is Pythagoras, which describes itself as a modern CAD program specially designed for topographical applications which include land surveying, road design and city planning.
  • Holcim to deploy AI to reinforce manufacturing capacity for customers
    July 1, 2024
    Holcim is scaling up the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in manufacturing across more than 100 plants worldwide over the next four years, improving efficiency and reinforcing customer capacity.
  • Latest GIS and software tools improve operations
    February 24, 2012
    Innovative GIS and software solutions are coming to market from the three key market players - Mike Woof reports Competition is strong in the field for GIS and surveying systems as well as the associated software. The three major players in the sector, Leica Geosystems, Topcon and Trimble, all invest heavily in research and development and continue to roll out new solutions for construction customers that will boost the efficiency of surveying as well as overall project implementation.
  • Springtime for the use of analytics
    April 6, 2021
    Samu Karanko of Vaisala Digital argues for more - and better - use of big data analytics to predict winter weather patterns in order to keep roads clear of snow and ice