The Record - Issue 18: Autumn 2020

AUTOMOT I V E contextual data. These predictions can then be used by automotive manufacturers to optimise inventory across multiple locations to increase flexibility of service in preparation for that demand at a reduced cost, as well as determining when to invest in new equipment or infrastruc- ture for maximum return. AI-powered solutions can help automotive manufacturers make more intelligent decisions and expand beyond the production of vehicles, according to Coil. “New capabilities enabled by AI help auto- motive manufacturing companies become very nimble organisations that can not only produce a car, but also build new products outside of their current portfolio very quickly and cost effectively,” he says. “It can also help them exper- iment with optimised plant utilisations to bal- ance build demands globally.” Manufacturing organisations are also increas- ingly making use of mixed reality solutions to help design their products and factories. Designers can view products as lifesize using mixed reality and work through the design col- laboratively with others without having to spend time and money on building prototypes. At a larger scale, a factory layout can be visualised within an empty prefabricated building using virtual reality, allowing planners to see how all the machines, people and products fit together within the space. And once the machinery is installed, any necessary retooling can be per- formed by viewing a virtual replica called a digi- tal twin through a tablet or headset and walking it from the dock to the floor, looking for any challenges that might arise in the move. There are also a number of helpful ways in which mixed reality can help to better train and deploy 107