Start of the pilot joint projects AutoUniManu and Dev4Test: New approaches for production and vehicle software

Modern mobility is software-driven, vehicles are highly automated and networked with their environment. In order to guarantee the quality, safety and efficiency of vehicle software throughout its entire life cycle despite increasing complexity, a consistent, test-centered development process ("Design for Test") is being developed in the Dev4Test project. Test procedures are integrated into the development process right from the start in order to enable continuous quality assurance.

The following aspects are at the heart of the project:

• Design for Test: test procedures are integrated throughout, from simulation to real driving tests.
• Agile methods & CI/CD: Continuous integration and fast feedback loops enable faster, safer releases.
• AI-supported testing: Artificial intelligence supports the analysis, error detection and optimization of test processes in real time.
• Model-based further development: Systems and their models are continuously developed further - from mechatronics to electronics and software.

The AutoUniManu project focuses on autonomous, universal manufacturing using laser material processing. Supported by machine learning methods and using suitable sensor technology, the aim is to enable self-configuring laser material processes in order to make universal processing tasks autonomously feasible. The motivation is an efficient production technology at the high-wage location of Baden-Württemberg in order to have a technological advantage in international competition. 

The project focuses on three main areas:

• Laser-based manufacturing technologies: As a manufacturing technology tool, the laser offers almost infinite possibilities through parameterization alone. Through intelligent combination, flexible and efficient manufacturing process chains can be implemented directly.
• Autonomous parameterization and optimization: Integrated sensors and adaptive machine intelligence enable automatic optimization of manufacturing processes in real time.
• Reconfigurable and modular architectures: Software-defined manufacturing approaches are used to create modular hardware and software solutions that enable the rapid integration of new production modules and a flexible response to changing requirements.

The work will help to incorporate new materials and technological challenges into production without delay, manufacture highly customized products (quantity 1) and thus respond robustly and sustainably to highly volatile markets.

The AutoUniManu and Dev4Test projects are being conducted by consortia comprising a total of 11 institutes from the University of Stuttgart and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Their objective is to strengthen Baden-Württemberg as a location for production and innovation in the long term by developing forward-looking solutions in manufacturing technology and vehicle software. The ICM provides the research platform to address fundamental questions in the fields of production and mobility and to promote knowledge transfer into industrial applications. The ultimate goal is to enhance Baden-Württemberg’s international competitiveness.

Dev4Test:

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Eric Sax
Head of the Institut für Technik der Informationsverarbeitung ITIV, KIT

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr. h. c. Michael Weyrich
Head of the Institute of Industrial Automation and Software Engineering IAS, University of Stuttgart

AutoUniManu: 

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Andreas Michalowski
Deputy Director, Institut für Strahlwerkzeuge (IFSW), University of Stuttgart

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Frederik Zanger
Director Manufacturing and Materials Technology, wbk Institute of Production Science, KIT

Medien:

Teresa Mittner
Marketing und Kommunikation
medien(at)icm-bw.de