The car maker has made a big digital transformation bet on its homegrown software-controlled, server-based factory automation platform.
German luxury automaker Audi is preparing to launch its IT-based factory automation solution Edge Cloud 4 Production (EC4P) in serial production for the first time.
It’s scheduled for launch at its Böllinger Höfe assembly plant, which has been testing the system since July 2022. Starting in late July 2023, a local server cluster will control the worker support systems for two production cycles of the Audi e-tron GT quattro, RS e-tron GT and Audi R8 models.
This software-controlled, flexible and scalable server solution is intended to replace a decentralized control system that relies on high-maintenance industrial PCs. EC4P allows Audi to redeploy the computing power used on the production line to local data processing centers. In addition to this first application in series production, Audi is simultaneously adapting EC4P for other use cases in the Audi Production Lab (P-Lab).
EC4P uses local servers that act as data processing centers. They process production-related data with low latency and distribute it to the worker support systems, which tell workers which vehicle part to install This will replace the expensive, high-maintenance industrial PC currently handling this task.
Sven Müller and Philip Saalmann, Head and Co-head of the 20-member EC4P project team, say the focus in the production environment is now on software, not hardware. “EC4P enables the quick integration of software and new tools, whether for worker support, bolt control, vehicle diagnostics, predictive maintenance or energy savings,” said Müller, in a release.
Jörg Spindler, Head of Production Planning and Production Technology at Audi, said the automaker is trying to bring local cloud solutions to production at its plants to take advantage of advances in digital control systems.
The server solution levels out spikes in demand across all virtualized clients, speeding application deployment and ensuring more efficient use of resources. Production will be economized, particularly where software rollouts, operating system changes and IT-related expenses are concerned. The flexible cloud technology also scales to adapt to future tasks. “What we’re doing here is a revolution,” announced Gerd Walker, Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG Production and Logistics, at the launch of the first test phase. “This first application in series production at Böllinger Höfe is a crucial step toward IT-based production.”
Series Production Launch
“The small-scale series produced at Böllinger Höfe is ideal for testing ECP4’s capacity as a control system and its use in large-scale production,” said Saalmann. Audi says it’s the first car manufacturer in cycle-dependent production to use a centralized server solution that redeploys computing power. Production cycles 18 and 19 at Böllinger Höfe—when interior panels are installed and work is done on the underbody— use thin clients capable of power-over-Ethernet. These terminal devices get electrical power via network cables and obtain data through local servers.
By the end of the year, Audi will switch the worker support systems for all 36 cycles to the server-based solution. The architecture is designed to enable rapid scaling of EC4P in large-scale production. “With EC4P, we are merging the fields of automation technology and IT to advance our practical use of the Internet of Things,” said project manager Müller. “This development will also create new employee roles at the interface of production and IT. For example, employees will use new applications to control automation technology. To this end, we are setting up a control team with overarching expertise to supervise and monitor the EC4P system around the clock.” The team will work closely with the line employees.
Digital Transformation as a Learning Environment
Audi is studying how digital innovations affect the working environment as part of its Automotive Initiative 2025 (AI25) in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering. The AI25 takes a holistic approach, giving equal consideration to technology, people, and Audi’s mission of advancing the digitalization of its production activities.
“We work as a team to free up resources for new areas like battery and module production,” said Spindler. “New technologies and collaboration models will require our teams to acquire new skills. For that reason, our employees’ qualifications play an important role. With its longer cycle times, we view the Böllinger Höfe plant as a learning environment to roll out IT-based factory automation at larger sites such as Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm later.”
One of the first use cases is controlling electrical commissioning activities at Audi’s German locations. After EC4P is proven in assembly, the next step will be to take over and monitor the programmable logic controller (PLC) in the automation cells in body construction, which was previously hardware-based.
