Audi uses artificial intelligence to control vehicle surfaces
Audi uses artificial intelligence (AI) in many areas of the company. This includes an image-processing AI application that can check vehicle surfaces, for example for correctly attached labels or weld spatter.
An image-processing AI application has recently been used in assembly at the Audi plants in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm. The tool, called "Iris", uses cameras to check whether labels with technical data are correctly attached to the vehicle. This involves attaching them to the correct component, position, content and language. In this way, it ensures the conformity of the vehicles. Employees continue to carry out spot checks. The label check by Iris saves around one minute of production time per vehicle.
AI-supported surface quality inspection in the body shop
Together with Siemens, Audi recently introduced another AI-supported quality check in series production in the body shop in Neckarsulm. Previously, employees manually checked the surfaces of the underbody for weld splatter and then removed it. Now, the so-called "Weld Splatter Detection" (WSD) uses AI to detect possible weld splatter on the underbody of the car bodies. These metal deposits could lead to cable breakages, among other things. In a further expansion stage from summer 2025, a robot arm will then automatically remove the weld spatter. In this case, the WSD AI application will not only save time in production, but will also increase occupational safety for employees and improve ergonomics.