Innovations often come to the fore when experts from different sectors and organisations come together. This is exactly what is happening now in a research collaboration between the BMW Group's Battery Cell Centre of Excellence (BCCC) and the Regional Centre of Excellence for Robotics Technology (CRTA) at the University of Zagreb.
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The two partners are jointly developing solutions to improve battery cell production using artificial intelligence (AI). PhD students and students from the University of Zagreb are collecting and structuring existing production data, from which AI models are created that can identify certain patterns in the data. This allows them to make predictions about how production can be further optimised in terms of efficiency, quality and costs.
Battery cell expertise across the value chain
The BMW Group concentrates its battery cell expertise at its centres of expertise in Munich and Parsdorf. At the Battery Cell Centre of Excellence (BCCC) north of Munich, cells for future generations of high-voltage batteries are developed and manufactured in small quantities. The state-of-the-art laboratories, research facilities as well as those in which prototype units are manufactured cover the know-how along the entire battery cell value chain. The BCCC is complemented by the Centre of Excellence for Battery Cell Manufacturing (CMCC) in Parsdorf. The best cell from the BCCC is forwarded to a production process on the pilot line in Parsdorf. The close, cross-departmental cooperation between the development, procurement and production teams uniquely links product and process within the BMW Group.
The importance of sharing expertise at European level
In this project the University of Zagreb contributes its expertise in the fields of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer science. "As a university, we offer the BMW Group access to the latest research results and innovative ideas, while our students benefit from the opportunity to put their theoretical knowledge into practice," comments Zdenko Tonković, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical and Naval Engineering at the University of Zagreb.
Promoting young talent
Another aspect of this cooperation is the promotion of young talent. "Through this joint project, we are generating enthusiasm among students for the BMW Group and the innovation generated in the battery cell specialisation centres," explains Moritz Poremba, Head of the Battery Cell Recycling Technology Development Department at the BMW Group. Students benefit from the partnership through intensive mentoring and the opportunity to expand their professional network in the industry. This makes them more sought after in the job market and offers them excellent career opportunities. The cooperation between the BMW Group and the University of Zagreb enhances the innovative strength and competitiveness of both partners.
