VW focuses on AI
- September 20, 2016
- Posted by: Simon Wait
- Category: Industry News
Volkswagen Group is continuing to drive its digital transformation by expanding its competence with regard to artificial intelligence (AI).
VW not only intends on using this technology in the field of autonomous driving and in production, but also to speed up corporate processes.
Professor Patrick van der Smagt, associate professor at Technische Universität München and one of Europe’s leading experts in deep learning and robotics will be joining the team of AI experts and data scientists at the VW Group Data Lab in Munich from October to lead the AI team.
Prof Smagt and his team will be focusing in particular on a new field of AI called ‘robotic enterprise’ which is the use of auto-adaptive algorithms in corporate functions and processes such as those found in development, production, sales, finance, and quality assurance.
Dr Martin Hofmann, chief information officer at the Volkswagen Group, commented, ‘We are delighted that Professor van der Smagt will be joining the Data Lab. This shows how attractive the Volkswagen Group’s IT labs are for distinguished scientists and experts in artificial intelligence.’
Johann Jungwirth, chief digital officer at the Volkswagen Group, said, ‘First-class competence in the field of AI is an essential prerequisite for safeguarding the future. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are emerging as key technologies in the automotive industry. Volkswagen plays a pivotal role in driving these topics forward.’
The Data Lab is the largest team of experts for AI and data science in the automotive industry. It was set up in 2014 with the help of Volkswagen’s Innovation Fund which supports projects going beyond Volkswagen’s previous core business.
