Shaping The Future Of Large-Scale Vehicle Manufacturing: Planet 2050 Initiatives And The Role Of Predictive Analytics

Abstract

This paper outlines the Planet 2050 initiatives currently planned at the International Center for Advanced High-Speed Vehicle Manufacturing in the areas of high-speed manufacturing equipment development, workforce training, advanced high-speed vehicle design and manufacturing, and integrated sets of manufacturing infrastructure products. It then addresses the intersection of advanced vehicle design and manufacturing with the use of predictive manufacturing analytics as a key technology enabler for the development of new vehicle manufacturing concepts aimed at significantly reducing labor costs, reducing energy costs, increasing overall factory operational effectiveness, and increasing competitiveness of the United States and other high-cost manufacturing countries. The ongoing work at the SAMPL Industry and Science Partnership Center at various universities is presented, and key needs for the sustained U.S. and global competitiveness of automotive and vehicle manufacturing are highlighted. Application of the larger physics insights in each of the four roadmap technology areas of industry, software, facilities, and workforce will enable the United States to develop new high-value factories producing high-value, energy-efficient cars, and mass transit vehicles that are the cars of the future in U.S. or global automotive marketplaces.