At the Technical University of Ostrava, in the Czech Republic, the car manufacturer Skoda has inaugurated an artificial intelligence production laboratory (AIM.Lab). This opening is part of the company’s Next Level strategy, which aims to make the Czech Republic a production hub for electric vehicles by 2030. Work will be carried out on data analysis and optimization of problems related to industrial production.

Continued collaboration between Skodo and the Technical University of Ostrava

This is not the first time that Skoda has been closely linked to the Technical University of Ostrava. In fact, the manufacturer and the faculty have been collaborating since autumn 2019 regarding the use of new technologies in assistance systems. As part of the National Competence Centre – Cybernetics and Artificial Intelligence project, ŠKODA AUTO and VŠB-TUO are developing a new assistance system called “vehicle tracking”.

The aim is to drive in a convoy according to the “2 vehicles, 1 driver” principle. The lead vehicle is driven by a human and sets the route, speed, lane and other parameters. Data on steering wheel movements, acceleration and deceleration are transmitted to the autonomous vehicle behind, which is up to ten metres away.

In addition, the car manufacturer supports around 20 universities in the Czech Republic and abroad. Skodo provides them with vehicles and components so that they can be studied and thus advance research.

An artificial intelligence production laboratory to make the Czech Republic a centre of automobile production

Skodo has launched its strategic plan entitled Next Level – Skoda Strategy 2030, with the aim of making the Czech Republic a huge production centre for electric vehicles by 2030. To achieve this, the firm has opened the AIM.Lab at the Ostrava campus to host work related to data analysis, automated training tools and AI applications and optimization of industrial production issues.

Vaclav Snasel, rector at the Technical University of Ostrava spoke around AI research for automotive:

“Artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly important role, not only for end users, but also and especially within industrial production processes. Therefore, we will mainly use the infrastructure of the AIM.Lab for teaching and research purposes in the field of industrial data analysis. Courses will be offered within the bachelor’s and master’s programs, and from 2022 onwards we also plan to offer a new doctorate, focusing on data analytics. For our students, exposure to the realities of the field is an indispensable prerequisite in order to be able to conduct in-depth research.”

In the future, the university and the manufacturer will offer further collaborative projects at the AIM.Lab that will aim to greatly enhance development- and practice-oriented teaching and increase connections to other industry partners and IT institutions.

Translated from Skoda ouvre son laboratoire dédié à l’intelligence artificielle pour améliorer sa production de véhicules électriques