From Supply Chain Data to Digital Twins: A GS1–AAS Interoperability Bridge

Result

The project developed a prototype converter that translates GS1-based JSON-LD data into Asset Administration Shell (AAS) format. The aim was to demonstrate semantic interoperability between supply chain data and digital twin environments, supporting standardized cross-domain data exchange.

The work was carried out by ZHAW as project lead, with GS1contributing project management, requirements, and input data. BloqSens supported the project through an independent code review and by hosting a web-based demonstrator.

The main result is an open-source, free-to-use uni-directional converter that transforms GS1 WebVocabulary / Digital Product Passport JSON-LD input into AAS output. The converter analyzes semantic JSON-LD structures, identifies supported elements, maps them into AAS submodel elements, validates the resulting AAS environment, and produces transparent reports explaining converted, preserved, or rejected data.

A web-based demonstrator is also available here:
www.bloqsens.com/json2aas/

The project confirmed that conversion from an open web-vocabulary architecture into AAS is feasible. At the same time, it showed that reliable semantic conversion requires mature, well-defined input vocabularies and clear governance rules. While AI may help identify likely mappings, a trustworthy converter must be based on explicit semantic definitions rather than probabilities.

The current prototype intentionally focuses on supported and defensible semantic structures. It does not aim to interpret arbitrary product-specific attributes, repair source data automatically, or cover all possible AAS templates. These limitations preserve the trust model of the converter and define a clear basis for future extensions.

Description

Value-added chains in manufacturing build on the progressive aggregation of complexity: raw materials and simple components are procured, assembled, or further processed into increasingly sophisticated systems. This pattern repeats across all higher tiers of a value chain, such as in railcar construction, the automotive supply industry, or machinery manufacturing.

The same aggregation of complexity appears in the corresponding information flows. Lower-tier suppliers—often SMEs—wish to share the data they collect with their downstream B2B customers. However, these suppliers typically use simpler, web-technology-based data formats such as JSON-LD and web vocabularies (e.g., schema.org, GS1 WebVocabulary), while higher-tier manufacturing environments rely on significantly more complex Asset Administration Shell (AAS) formats.

To bridge this gap, the project aims to develop a lightweight, one-directional converter (JavaScript-based and web-enabled) that transforms GS1-based JSON-LD data into higher-complexity AAS representations. This will enable lower-tier supply chain actors to seamlessly integrate their data into digital-twin ecosystems used in advanced manufacturing. The converter will be published as open-source software, providing a foundational “stem cell” for future industrial solutions that connect low- and high-complexity supply chain partners.

In essence, the project delivers a tool that takes GS1 WebVocabulary JSON-LD as input, prompts the user to supply any additional data needed for creating the richer AAS structure, and then outputs a compliant AAS file. This creates a practical interoperability bridge, supporting standardized, cross-domain data exchange across the entire value chain.

Key data

Further documents and links