BMW’s Dingolfing Plant Tests Fully Connected Logistics
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As part of a three-year research project supported by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, the BMW Group and three partner companies from Bavaria are exploring the possibilities for making BMW Group Plant Dingolfing a smart factory for logistics. The ‘Autonomous and Connected Logistics’ research project was officially launched in September 2019 and is now entering the practical phase. A number of innovative Industry 4.0 production technologies are being combined in an overall concept and tested under real conditions at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing. The BMW Group is contributing around 4.8 million euros to the project costs.
Testing of 5G wireless technology, which, over the course of the project, will be set up at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing as a trial network, will play a key role in linking different logistics solutions. The new mobile telecommunications standard allows large data volumes to be transferred within a very short time. 5G enables real-time connectivity between machinery and equipment.
Peter Kiermaier, head of Logistics Planning at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing: “We also want to use new technologies to increase transparency in conventional processes and enable smooth coupling of manual and autonomous technologies.”
Questions & Answers
Q.What is the primary goal of the 'Autonomous and Connected Logistics' research project at BMW's Dingolfing plant?
What is the primary goal of the 'Autonomous and Connected Logistics' research project at BMW's Dingolfing plant?
The project aims to explore ways to transform the BMW Group Plant Dingolfing into a smart factory for logistics. It combines innovative Industry 4.0 production technologies for testing under real conditions at the plant.
Q.Which specific technology is considered crucial for linking different logistics solutions in this project?
Which specific technology is considered crucial for linking different logistics solutions in this project?
The testing of 5G wireless technology is considered key for linking different logistics solutions. A trial 5G network will be set up at the Dingolfing plant during the project's duration to enable real-time connectivity and large data transfers.
Q.Which BMW Group plants have already implemented a 5G wireless communications network?
Which BMW Group plants have already implemented a 5G wireless communications network?
The BMW Brilliance Automotive joint venture has already rolled out the 5G wireless communications network across all its three plants. The long-term objective is to establish a 5G network at all BMW Group plant locations globally.
Q.What is the BMW Group's financial contribution to the 'Autonomous and Connected Logistics' research project?
What is the BMW Group's financial contribution to the 'Autonomous and Connected Logistics' research project?
The BMW Group is contributing approximately 4.8 million euros to the overall costs of the 'Autonomous and Connected Logistics' research project. This funding supports the exploration of various Industry 4.0 technologies.
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