Rockwell Automation Collaborates on Smart Manufacturing White Paper for Auto Industry Advancements
In a groundbreaking collaborative effort, Rockwell Automation, the leading name in industrial automation, has partnered with the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) to unveil an insightful new white paper titled Smart Manufacturing in Automotive Deployment and Impact. This document sheds light on how innovations like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are reshaping the landscape of the automotive, tire, and battery manufacturing sectors, marking a significant transition towards intelligent manufacturing practices.
The research revealed that the automotive industry is entering a fresh phase of technology adoption. This shift prompts manufacturers to reconsider not just whether to invest in smart manufacturing technologies, but also how rapidly and in what specific areas these investments should be made. Many automakers and suppliers are already utilizing advanced automation solutions across various production stages, including body assembly, painting, and welding. The next wave of change focuses on areas where automation has historically faced challenges, such as electronics assembly, validation, production coordination, and logistics. Concurrently, AI and ML are enhancing predictive maintenance, inspection accuracy, and overall system performance beyond existing operational parameters.
Edgar Faler, Principal Mobility Analyst and Strategy Lead at CAR, pointed out, "The industry has built a solid foundation of automation. What is changing now is how manufacturers leverage AI and data to navigate increasing complexity, refine decision-making, and secure competitive advantages. More agile entities are beginning to recognize measurable benefits."
This white paper merges CAR's analytical findings with exclusive data from Rockwell Automation's 11th annual report on the state of smart manufacturing, highlighting key accelerators for adoption. Among these are more complex production environments, ongoing warranty pressures, rising costs, and the intensification of global competition. Additionally, automation is facilitating onshoring by supporting cost-competitive production amidst tight labor markets.
Manufacturers have reported impressive results, including up to a 50% reduction in unplanned downtime for specific applications, about a 5% improvement in Total Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), and a throughput increase of 5% to 7% attributable to real-time production analytics. James Glasson, VP of Global Industry – Automotive, Tire & Advanced Mobility at Rockwell Automation, emphasized, “Manufacturers are challenged to achieve more with fewer resources while managing greater complexity. The fusion of automation and AI empowers teams to identify issues earlier, reduce downtime, and enhance performance across facilities. The crux is now how effectively companies can scale these abilities.”
The research further indicates a widening gap across the industry; variations in technology adoption are leading to differences in quality, availability, and productivity, which impact supplier performance and long-term competitiveness.
For those interested in delving deeper, the complete white paper can be accessed at Rockwell Automation's official website here.
Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. The company focuses on empowering human creativity with advanced technology to push the bounds of what is feasible, creating a more productive and sustainable world. With a workforce of around 26,000, Rockwell Automation serves clients in over 100 countries, and is renowned for its commitment to industrial innovation.
The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) is a non-profit organization based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, dedicated to independent research and facilitating stakeholders' collaboration within the automotive and mobility sectors. CAR's work encompasses manufacturing, technology, policy, and economic trends that shape the global automotive industry, aiming to offer insights into critical industry topics.
The research revealed that the automotive industry is entering a fresh phase of technology adoption. This shift prompts manufacturers to reconsider not just whether to invest in smart manufacturing technologies, but also how rapidly and in what specific areas these investments should be made. Many automakers and suppliers are already utilizing advanced automation solutions across various production stages, including body assembly, painting, and welding. The next wave of change focuses on areas where automation has historically faced challenges, such as electronics assembly, validation, production coordination, and logistics. Concurrently, AI and ML are enhancing predictive maintenance, inspection accuracy, and overall system performance beyond existing operational parameters.
Edgar Faler, Principal Mobility Analyst and Strategy Lead at CAR, pointed out, "The industry has built a solid foundation of automation. What is changing now is how manufacturers leverage AI and data to navigate increasing complexity, refine decision-making, and secure competitive advantages. More agile entities are beginning to recognize measurable benefits."
This white paper merges CAR's analytical findings with exclusive data from Rockwell Automation's 11th annual report on the state of smart manufacturing, highlighting key accelerators for adoption. Among these are more complex production environments, ongoing warranty pressures, rising costs, and the intensification of global competition. Additionally, automation is facilitating onshoring by supporting cost-competitive production amidst tight labor markets.
Manufacturers have reported impressive results, including up to a 50% reduction in unplanned downtime for specific applications, about a 5% improvement in Total Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), and a throughput increase of 5% to 7% attributable to real-time production analytics. James Glasson, VP of Global Industry – Automotive, Tire & Advanced Mobility at Rockwell Automation, emphasized, “Manufacturers are challenged to achieve more with fewer resources while managing greater complexity. The fusion of automation and AI empowers teams to identify issues earlier, reduce downtime, and enhance performance across facilities. The crux is now how effectively companies can scale these abilities.”
The research further indicates a widening gap across the industry; variations in technology adoption are leading to differences in quality, availability, and productivity, which impact supplier performance and long-term competitiveness.
For those interested in delving deeper, the complete white paper can be accessed at Rockwell Automation's official website here.
About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. The company focuses on empowering human creativity with advanced technology to push the bounds of what is feasible, creating a more productive and sustainable world. With a workforce of around 26,000, Rockwell Automation serves clients in over 100 countries, and is renowned for its commitment to industrial innovation.
About the Center for Automotive Research
The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) is a non-profit organization based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, dedicated to independent research and facilitating stakeholders' collaboration within the automotive and mobility sectors. CAR's work encompasses manufacturing, technology, policy, and economic trends that shape the global automotive industry, aiming to offer insights into critical industry topics.
Topics Consumer Technology）
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