Audi is taking major leaps in maximizing production efficiency and quality by leveraging extensive artificial intelligence integration. With a strong focus on unleashing the complete power of AI as well as data, the German luxury carmaker is integrating smart technologies in internal as well as customer-related solutions.
The most revolutionary uses of AI are now evident in Audi’s production and logistics units. Member of the Board of Management for Production and Logistics, Gerd Walker, says, “AI is the game changer in our industry. Through the use of it in a focused manner, we are establishing a production environment that is not only more efficient and cost-effective but also has the highest quality standards and supports people as ideally as possible.”
More than 100 AI projects are under different stages of development across Audi’s manufacturing plants. These projects are being phased in to mainstream production slowly, with special emphasis on AI-aided quality checks and generative AI solutions.
Data-Driven Production: The Core of Audi’s AI Strategy
Audi’s production sector generates the most data within the company, with hundreds of petabytes already stored and thousands of gigabytes added daily. “Artificial intelligence enables us to make more extensive use of our enormous wealth of data in production and accelerates the journey of our 360factory towards becoming a data-driven factory,” says Gerd Walker. The 360factory represents Audi’s vision for a fully connected, innovative, and sustainable manufacturing setup.
Procurement with Generative AI: ‘Tender Toucan’
Audi has launched a generative AI tool named ‘Tender Toucan’ to automate its tendering process. The tool processes bids by mapping specifications against requirements, detecting applicable sections, and assessing compliance. The employees examine the result while the AI provides time savings of up to 30%. The tool initially deployed for drivetrain and high-voltage battery manufacturing planning is poised for wider roll-out across Audi and the Volkswagen Group.
AI Quality Monitoring Raises the Bar
In its Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm assembly plants, Audi has installed an AI image processing solution called ‘IRIS’. It checks whether technical labels are correctly applied to cars—correct content, correct language, and correct position—saving around one minute of manufacturing time per car. Human spot checks remain in place as well.
In addition, Audi and Siemens have integrated the “Weld Splatter Detection” (WSD) system in Neckarsulm body shop. The AI detects weld splatter on underbodies—something which was done manually before—and will be accompanied shortly by a robot arm that scrapes off splatter. The innovation enhances manufacturing efficiency as well as safety and ergonomics for employees.
A Strong AI Ecosystem
Audi has built a strong network of AI experts and works in close collaboration with the Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence (IPAI) at Heilbronn. IPAI is likely to be Europe’s biggest AI hub, as a 23-hectare campus is being built. Audi has an office at the IPAI campus and will further cooperate as the campus continues to grow.
Adjacent to it, the Audi Böllinger Höfe plant serves as a living test site for leading-edge digital production technology under AI25, a forward-looking innovation program behind digitalization in the automotive industry.
Audi keeps raising the bar in intelligent manufacturing, efficiency, and quality assurance by integrating AI into all its processes.
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