Smart Factory at Audi: this is where the digitization of the industry is heading

What is the relationship between P-Lab and “normal” everyday production processes at Audi?
Löser: To ensure the feasibility of our ideas, we get in touch with our production colleagues. We collaborate with them and show them what we are currently working on. There is no point in developing something in theory if no one can make use of it in practice. New products and services often fail because of minute details that nobody thought of to begin with.

What technologies are you working on right now?
Löser: Take 5G, for example: We have been using our own 5G frequency since 2018. We’ve been doing this to learn more about how to optimize the use of wireless networks in a smart factory. Another example is software or cloud-based work: We also want to make use of this in production. This would be a revolution in terms of the automation of production processes.

In your view, how far has Audi come on the road to the industry of the future?
Löser: We are well on our way, especially when it comes to making efficient use of the new technologies. When we automate processes, we sometimes have more work to do elsewhere. For example, the more driverless transport systems we use, the more computing power and fleet managers we need. Then there is the maintenance and servicing of these devices. So we always need to make sure that the overall efficiency is working perfectly.

We try everything out and always test the whole concept of any new ideas right from the start. It has to be technologically and culturally compatible with Audi. We also always consider what training measures would be necessary for our employees. At the end of the day, vehicle construction remains an art. In the future, too, it will always be a question of cooperation between man and machine.

Speaking of the future: What do you think production at Audi might look like in ten years' time?
Löser: I am absolutely convinced that we will resolutely and rigorously progress with these issues. Because this is the only way we can reduce costs and at the same time become more flexible and improve quality. We need a smart factory that reacts quickly to fluctuations in demand. This also applies when switching to new products – during ongoing production. This can only work if you have intelligent solutions and a smart production.