The firm’s next-gen digital platform will imbibe digital twinning, generative AI, modular architectures and a new standardized advanced operating system.

Car manufacturers are leveraging generative AI, Universal Scene Description (OpenUSD) applications and digital twin platforms to optimize factory floor and production line layouts for business continuity, operational efficiencies and also improve product quality.

Case in study: Mercedes-Benz has announced it is using digital twins in their design, collaborations, planning and operation of manufacturing and assembly facilities. Such a “digital first” approach is expected to enhance efficiency, avoid defects, save time, and increase the flexibility, resilience and intelligence of the firm’s production systems in Rastatt, Germany; Kecskemét, Hungary; and Beijing, China, and eventually to facilities in more than 30 countries.

Some examples of the adopted tech from Nvidia being adopted include:

    • Using virtual collaboration environments to plant suppliers and planners to interact better, so that layout options and automation changes can be incorporated and validated in real time. This accelerates how quickly new production lines can reach maximum capacity, and reduces the risk of re-work or stoppages
    • Digital twins and modular architecture, combined with advanced design and simulation software, can help ensure assembly lines can be retooled, configured and optimized. Communications and coordination with suppliers will be accelerated by 50% while doubling the speed of converting or constructing an assembly hall/improving production processes
    • Various AI tech will open up new areas of energy and cost savings. AI is also used to monitor relevant sub-processes in pilot testing, which can reap energy savings of 20%
    • Their digital-first production system will enable the firm to produce electric, hybrid and gas-driven automobiles on the same production lines and scale the manufacturing of electric vehicles
    • The firm’s new operating system, “MB.OS” will allow its cars to roll off assembly lines with the latest versions of vehicle software

According to one of the firm’s board members overseeing Production, Quality and Supply Chain Management, Jörg Burzer: “With our new Digital First approach, we unlock efficiency potential even before the launch of our ‘modular architecture’ models in our global production network, and can accelerate the ramp-up significantly.”