With more than 100 artificial intelligence (AI) projects in various stages of development in its production facilities, Audi has said that it will gradually integrate these into series production processes and expanding. At present, the focus is primarily on AI-supported quality monitoring and generative AI.
Along with the introduction of new AI tools, Audi is pressing ahead with the systematic expansion of its data organisation - particularly in the area of production, where the volume of data is higher than anywhere else in the company.
Audi has also recently started utilising AI to analyse bids as part of its tendering process. The AI tool, called "Tender Toucan", uses a set of specifications to create a list of requirements, searches for the relevant sections in the bids, and evaluates the degree to which they are fulfilled. Employees will then check and complete the tool's work but enjoy time savings of up to 30%.
An AI application for image processing has recently been implemented at Audi's Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm assembly plants. Called "IRIS", the tool uses cameras to check whether labels with technical data are correctly attached to the vehicle. More specifically, the label with the right content in the right language must be attached to the right component in the right position.
Audi has also recently joined forces with Siemens to introduce another AI-supported quality check to series production in the body shop in its Neckarsulm plant. The so-called "Weld Splatter Detection" (WSD) application uses AI to detect possible weld splatter on vehicle underbodies, where a robotic arm will automatically remove the weld splatter itself, saving time in production and improving occupational safety and ergonomics for employees.
To make the best possible use of AI, Audi is cooperating closely with the Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence (IPAI) in Heilbronn, which is set to become Europe's largest AI network, and will a construct a campus in 2025, at which Audi will have its own office.
