One of the biggest challenges of automotive concerns, due to the complexity of production and the number of subcontractors, is the efficient management of logistics. It helps avoid delays and optimize profits. Very important in the logistics planning process, both internally and externally, is the proper design of special containers. They must meet a number of characteristics, such as compatibility with transportation systems, destination locations and the assembly line environment.

Introduction

The goal of the project was to improve the design and testing of special containers.

Apzumi approached the issue together with Volkswagen, or more precisely, the Polish branch, Volkswagen Poznań.

Volkswagen Poznań is a commercial vehicle and component factory. VW Caddy and VW Transporter models have been manufactured in Poznań for more than 15 years. Therefore, these cars go to markets all over the world.

Volkswagen Poznań is now the largest employer in Greater Poland and one of the largest in the country.

Expectations

Volkswagen posed a specific problem for Apzumi to solve. The solution had to be innovative, but above all practical and ergonomic. Augmented reality (AR) was to be used to design and test containers without physically creating them. The Apzumi tool was to reduce the time needed to build prototypes, test them and avoid design errors.

Solution

The project was implemented in several stages.

In the first, participants analyzed the possibilities of using augmented reality to improve processes, as well as the expectations of users and the technical and business community. This allowed them to develop a coherent vision and estimate the potential benefits of the new technology.

The second phase was the launch of a pilot on a limited scale, the purpose of which was to confirm the assumptions made during the workshop and to gather and analyze experience from practical use of the application. The pilot phase consisted of several iterations involving the design, implementation and testing of successive improvements to the system, which ultimately helped gather the arguments that convinced Volkswagen to launch a production tool.

The final step was to integrate the application with VW's internal systems and deploy it in production mode. At this stage, the system is collecting data on large-scale use of the application and further suggestions from users, which will allow further improvements. The use of augmented reality technology allows for earlier detection of errors in container design and possible collisions with existing logistics and production infrastructure.

Benefits

The developed solution brought Volkswagen Poland many tangible business benefits.

1. Savings in prototype manufacturing costs. Including reducing the associated carbon footprint.
2. Shorten the cycle of introducing new containers.
3. Work faster and more accurately with suppliers who design and manufacture containers.
4. Fully digital workflow.

The implementation of AR Container Planning primarily saves the cost of transporting prototype containers shipped from contractors. The virtual model of the container can be checked by the planner in any setting and at any time before the container is finally built and transported to our production facility," explains Tomasz Rudalski, Project Manager of the implementation at VW Września.

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