Industrial automation and IT leader Rockwell Automation is helping electric carmakers start and improve production, helping them differentiate themselves in the industry.
Rockwell Automation, a leading provider of solutions and services to the automotive industry, today opened an 8,000-square-foot Electric Vehicle (EV) Innovation Center within its Information Systems development facility at 111 North Market Street in San Jose, Calif. The innovation center will provide the opportunity to conduct real-time manufacturing demonstrations and test applications of new technologies in collaboration with industry experts and Rockwell Automation partners.
The Electric Vehicle Innovation Center, where augmented reality and virtual reality models can also be used, provides automotive manufacturers with an environment where they can learn about new technologies and standards, allowing them to bring electric vehicles to the market faster, less risky and at lower costs.
What makes the innovation center unique is the combination of Rockwell Automation technology with that of its partners. In particular, the FactoryTalk InnovationSuite, developed by Rockwell Automation and supported by PTC, is a unique integrated solution that combines software developed by PTC and Rockwell Automation. Similarly, Eagle Technologies provides battery pack assembly machines and FANUC provides robotics, both of which are integrated with Rockwell Automation technologies.
The center features an assembly cell that simulates electric drive unit assembly and testing from turnkey assembly line manufacturer Hirata, while Rockwell Automation’s simulation software Emulate 3D enables functional performance testing without adding the drive to the electric vehicle.
“With increasing consumer demand, electric vehicle manufacturers are having to produce on a more aggressive timeline,” said John Kacsur, Vice President, Automotive and Tire Industry, Rockwell Automation. “We established the Electric Vehicle Innovation Center to expand their capabilities and deliver products to customers faster, at the lowest possible cost and in the most efficient way.”
“It’s an immersive experience that will help our customers develop and realize our vision of smart manufacturing, The Connected Enterprise, by leveraging the power of data to drive positive business outcomes,” Kacsur said. “With over 4,000 successfully designed, installed, and in-service automotive manufacturing projects, Rockwell Automation knows how to help EV manufacturers get to market faster and better manage their enterprise risk.”
He added that Kavsur Innovation Center supports the digitalization efforts of not only automotive and tire customers but also customers from all sectors, and stated that customers can always visit the Innovation Center and consult with industry experts.
Bloomberg New Energy Finance predicts that 54 percent of all car sales will be electric by 2040. Batteries currently account for about a third of the total cost of an electric vehicle. As battery costs continue to fall, demand for electric vehicles will continue to grow, with as many as 40 million electric vehicle batteries needed each year to power new vehicles.