Volkswagen Group has renewed its collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) for another five years to further enhance its factory cloud, Digital Production Platform (DPP).
DPP, developed by AWS and VW Group, is integral to the automaker's efforts to refine manufacturing processes across its global production network.
By integrating AI into its operations, VW Group aims to improve production, cost efficiency, and the speed at which new vehicle models are brought to market.
DPP is currently operational in 43 VW Group locations throughout North and South America, as well as Europe.
The platform functions as a digital link that ensures a smooth data exchange across the entire process chain, including order intake, logistics, and manufacturing. It also allows for the standardised rollout of new IT systems across VW Groups factories.
AWS's cloud services play a vital role in hosting VW Group’s critical production systems, reducing the risk of halting production lines.
The group has over 1,200 AI applications for software development and enhancing quality control.
VW said, with AWS's Amazon SageMaker, it can train AI models and create industrial computer vision applications that have led to quality control and cost savings.
The DPP also sets the stage for the introduction of software-defined vehicles (SDVs), where software largely manages and updates vehicle functionalities.
This platform is expected to be key in enabling the deployment of software directly during the manufacturing process.
VW’s joint venture with Rivian Automotive is influencing the development of new electronics architecture and vehicle software.
The AI solutions, such as KI4UPS and their corresponding data models, will be adaptable to this future electronics architecture, allowing VW to leverage rapid development cycles in its production environment.
AWS Industries vice president Kathrin Renz said: "Our five-year extended collaboration combines AWS's cloud infrastructure and purpose-built IoT and machine learning services with Volkswagen's manufacturing expertise.
“Together, we're fast-tracking AI solutions that will help unlock new levels of innovation throughout Volkswagen Group’s manufacturing operations."
Recently, VW Group China announced plans to expand the application of its "zonal" electrical/electronic architecture, the China Electronic Architecture (CEA), co-developed with local EV maker Xpeng.
