Kolmogorov-Arnold Networks in Industrial Application of Truck Development

Kolmogorov-Arnold Networks (KANs) are a novel mathematical method to generate data-driven AI surrogate models. Compared to neural networks based on the MLP standard (Multi-Layer Perceptron), these offer further mathematical interpretability and thus allow improved validation of AI for industrial applications. In this paper, we use KANs to generate an AI vehicle model of a truck as a mathematically precise AI surrogate model. To do this, we combine the KAN approach with the approach of Neural Ordinary Differential Equations (Neural ODEs) to generate predictions for the time-series of the truck’s velocity. Furthermore, we compare the results of the AI based on KANs with the traditional approach using MLP in terms of model size, accuracy, and computational time in order to evaluate advantages and disadvantages of the KAN approach. The best AI-KAN vehicle model identified in this way is then embedded in a co-simulation via the Functional Mockup Interface standard, thus opening up a wide range of applications in AI-driven truck development.