Audi Leaning on Artificial Intelligence To Improve Vehicle Manufacturing

Artificial intelligence is not just a hot, new 21st century catchphrase, rather, this cutting-edge technology is a shockingly powerful tool that is becoming more and more useful each day. Right now, AI can generate all kinds of images, create video clips that are almost indistinguishable from real life, and analyze mountains of data in just seconds. Taking full advantage of AI’s capabilities, Audi is using the technology in myriad impactful ways.

Base Trim Engine

2.0l Inline 4

Base Trim Transmission

7-speed Dual-Clutch Automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

268 hp

Make

Audi

Audi’s New A6 Plug-In Hybrids Are A Serious Blend Of Power And Efficiency

Meet the new Audi A6 Avant e-hybrid quattro and Audi A6 Sedan e-hybrid quattro — two plug-in hybrid models now available in two distinct power levels.

New Technology Provides Meaningful Benefits

The German luxury automaker is deploying artificial intelligence to make its manufacturing more effective and efficient while also maintaining the highest quality standards. Right now, Audi is using AI in more than 100 different projects that are “in various stages of development in its production facilities.” Working with supplier company Siemens, one interesting application of this advanced technology is computerized weld splatter detection, WSD for short. Starting this summer at the automaker’s factory in Neckarsulm, Germany, AI will be able to scan the undersides of vehicle bodies to check for weld splatter, tiny pellets that can form and adhere to surrounding surfaces during the welding process. These little imperfections can casus problems like cable breakage or frayed wires down the road. In the past, human workers would have checked for weld splatter, but soon, a robotic arm will handle the inspection and removal of potential weld splatter.

Audi

One AI application that has already been implemented in Audi’s Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm factories is something called IRIS. This tool uses cameras to verify whether technical data labels are properly attached to vehicles. The system also double-checks that labels have the correct language and are in the right position. According to Audi, IRIS saves about one minute of production time per vehicle, which doesn’t sound like much, but it can really add up when you’re building hundreds of vehicles each day.

Expect the German automaker to continue implementing more and more AI-powered tools in the coming years, something rival companies are sure to do as well.

Yet another way the four-ring brand is leaning on AI to improve its vehicle development and production procedures is using the technology to analyze bids during the purchase process, also known as tendering. A tool called “Tender Toucan” helps search through bids from outside suppliers and is smart enough to determine “the degree to which they are fulfilled.” Human employees still manually check everything, but according to Audi, Tender Toucan provides time savings of up to 30 percent, a huge amount.

Audi

“AI is the game changer in our industry. By using it in a targeted way, we are creating a production environment that is not only more efficient and cost-effective but that also meets the highest quality standards and supports people as ideally as possible,” said Gerd Walker, member of the board of management for production and logistics at Audi in a media release. “That is why we are focusing on integrating AI wherever it is possible and makes sense and systematically expanding applications,” the executive also noted.

Spied: Audi’s Answer To The BMW X7 And Mercedes-Benz GLS Inches Closer To Production-Ready

Ingoldstadt’s big three-row lux crossover SUV is finally on its way to take on its other three-row German rivals.

TopSpeed’s Take

Audi

AI has been around for years, but recently, the technology has really come into its own. Aside from generating images and video, and plowing through huge amounts of information in just seconds, Audi is proving that artificial intelligence is just as useful in the physical world, in manufacturing. Expect the German automaker to continue implementing more and more AI-powered tools in the coming years, something rival companies are sure to do as well. In fact, BMW is already using similar technology to help improve vehicle quality by tailoring inspections to meet the unique needs of the vehicles it builds at its factory in Regensburg, Germany.

Audi’s Most Popular SUV Just Got Even Better

Though it also got a bit pricier.