To ensure that electric trucks brake correctly, lifting platforms allow personnel to safely clean windows at a height of 40 m and firefighting trucks reach their destination quickly and safely, not only robust hardware is required, but also powerful and reliable software. The Application Development Center - ADC for short - at TTControl in Brixen ensures this.
TTControl is a provider of control systems and operator interfaces for off-highway vehicles. We not only focus on the hardware installed in the vehicles, but also develop the corresponding software for the special machines. Janosch Fauster is the Director of ADC and gives us an insight into what he and his team implement on a daily basis.
Career Path
You have been working at TTControl for many years. Can you give us a brief outline of your career?
Background
I joined TTControl straight after graduating from Vienna University of Technology, where I studied computer science. Even back then, I was very interested in hardware-related technology. This is often not developed for conventional computers but controls so called “embedded computers” that are invisible to the end user at first glance. But they are extremely important as they control cars, household appliances, machines, airplanes, and more.
The Institute of Computer Engineering researched communication technology that is particularly secure for use in critical machines. I learned there that a spin-off had been founded in Vienna precisely for this interesting technology, which in turn wanted to conquer the market for special vehicles via the start-up TTControl in Brixen.
This made it clear to me: a very interesting topic in an exciting start-up in beautiful South Tyrol: that's where I wanted to go. So, in 2003 I had my university degree in my hand, sent out a single application (the one for TTControl) and then had the job in my pocket.
Evolution at TTControl
When I started at TTControl, I was the only software developer, but over time I took on various roles such as project management and technical sales. Today, I am responsible for the entire Application Development Center. We develop the control software for electronic control units and displays and use it to control the motors and cylinders in order to implement the desired machine function safely and efficiently.
Our electronics guarantee that sweepers and garbage collection vehicles clean our cities early in the morning without any problems, that excavators steer reliably and that snow groomer drivers always have their surroundings in view. In addition, our software also protects users by detecting unexpected movements, risks of tipping over, etc. and preventing them accordingly.
Commitment to TTControl
In all those years, were you never tempted to move elsewhere and leave the company? What made the work so exciting for you that you stayed?
Longevity
TTControl was my first "real" job. I think it's normal that after a few years you wonder what it would be like in other companies. However, TTControl gave me the opportunity to spend two years in the USA with a customer as a resident engineer, which quenched my thirst to see something different.
Later, I had the opportunity to travel regularly to Asia to support our customers there. Our global customers and our multicultural team really help you to look beyond the borders of South Tyrol.
Dynamic environment
From a technical point of view, it rarely gets boring at TTControl: we have projects from many different sectors - fire engines, tractors, lifting platforms, cranes, electric trucks and much more. There is always a new product that we are using, a new technology that we are introducing, new customer applications that need to be implemented and with all of this, there are always new challenges that I have had to overcome.
Highlights at TTControl
What were your highlights at TTControl or moments that you still remember fondly today?
Project Success
I was involved as a software developer in an electronics project that allows particularly precise control of machines. A distributed but closely cooperating team between Brixen, Vienna, Cheltenham (UK) and Minneapolis (USA) had been commissioned for this development. I was able to gain experience in a particularly broad field ranging from electronics and embedded programming to hydraulics and vehicle systems.
Furthermore, I had the opportunity to play to my strengths in software development and significantly improve my English skills in this international team. Our hardware colleague could even apply for a patent in this project, which confirmed its innovative nature.
Training in Japan
I also have fond memories of a training course I gave to developers at one of the world's largest construction machinery manufacturers in Kyoto, Japan. The product itself was still brand new and it was a very interesting challenge to build up enough product-specific expertise even in the short time available, which I was able to pass on to our customer.
Commissioning – And Action!
I also always found commissioning exciting: after months of software development, which we do in Brixen, I was finally able to go directly to the customer and try out the software on their prototype machine.
Role as ADC Director
You are our Director of ADC. Can you tell us a bit more about what you and your team do?
Responsibilities
Our team develops software for special machinery. We are responsible for ensuring that tractors steer, electric trucks brake safely, lifting platforms allow workers to clean windows safely at a height of 40 meters and fire engines can reach their destination quickly and safely. Our electronics guarantee that our cities can be cleaned in the early hours of the morning by road sweepers and garbage collection vehicles without incident.
Technical Expertise
To this end, we develop the corresponding control software for electronic control units and displays that are installed in these machines. We read sensors - e.g. steering angle, vehicle speed, accelerator pedal position, joysticks - and take into account user input and settings on the display. Armed with this information, we control the corresponding motors and cylinders to implement the desired machine functions safely, reliably and efficiently.
When a lift operator presses the joystick, the machine should start up smoothly, lift the operator without any unpleasant jolts and bring them precisely to the desired position. However, the software should also protect the operator: unexpected movements that could throw the user out of the basket must be avoided and the risk of the machine crushing or tipping over must be detected and averted accordingly.
Life in Brixen Office
You work in beautiful Brixen 😉 What is the atmosphere like in the Brixen office? What would a newcomer expect here?
Work Culture
There are about 40 of us, in the offices you can hear German, Italian, but mostly English. We welcome our new recruits with a "welcome snack" and celebrate birthdays with a cake.
Integration
The newcomers spend a few days in Vienna to get to know their colleagues there, and our Viennese and Bosnian colleagues also visit us regularly. Every now and then we organize a "team day" from the company, but many things also happen directly driven by our colleagues, who often maintain friendly relationships outside the workplace: a go-kart race in Bolzano, biathlon in Antholz, a bike race on Lake Garda.
Perfect Fit for the Brixen Team
Who do you think is the "perfect fit" for the Brixen team? What qualities should you definitely have to fit in well here?
The ideal candidate
An enthusiastic person interested in technology with a thirst for action and the will to learn a lot, but also to support others. A "perfect fit" has probably already discovered programming as a hobby in their teenage years, implemented their own project with Arduinos or Raspberries or written their own cell phone app - because they enjoy it.
In order to develop this hobby, they may have studied computer science, or perhaps electronics, control engineering or mechatronics, and would now like to turn their hobby into a career.
Tips for Potential Applicants
Do you have any tips for potential applicants or vacancies that you would like to emphasize?
Company Culture
Our company has healthy growth, invests heavily in R&D and offers an international flair in South Tyrol. We are driven by success and want to be the best in our segment.
Ideal candidates
Committed people who like to leave their comfort zone to actively learn and gain experience and who love a dynamic working environment will feel at home with us.
