Volkswagen Group Partners with Dassault Systèmes to Revolutionize Vehicle Development with 3DEXPERIENCE Platform
In a significant leap forward for the automotive industry, Dassault Systèmes (Euronext Paris: FR0014003TT8, DSY.PA) and Volkswagen Group have announced a groundbreaking long-term partnership aimed at advancing the digital infrastructure for vehicle development. The partnership centers on the implementation of Dassault Systèmes’ state-of-the-art 3DEXPERIENCE platform, marking a transformative step in how the Volkswagen Group approaches engineering, design, and manufacturing across its brands.
Volkswagen Group, renowned for its iconic brands such as Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche, has chosen the 3DEXPERIENCE platform hosted on the cloud to serve as the backbone of its engineering and manufacturing processes. This collaborative platform will empower engineers, designers, and other professionals across the group to harness the power of virtual twins, enabling them to simulate, test, and refine every aspect of vehicle development in a digital environment before physical production commences. The ability to create and iterate digital prototypes in a collaborative virtual space will streamline the entire development process while ensuring compliance with global regulations and sustainability standards.
A Vision for the Future of Vehicle Development
Hauke Stars, Board Member at Volkswagen Group for IT, spoke passionately about the partnership, emphasizing its transformative potential. “We are advancing the development of our next-generation IT system landscape, and the decision to partner with Dassault Systèmes marks an important milestone,” said Stars. “With consistent data streams and AI solutions built on them, we are creating a true technological leap for our teams in development and factory planning. At the same time, we are sustainably reducing IT costs and accelerating processes by streamlining our system complexity and utilizing virtual twins.
For Volkswagen Group, this partnership with Dassault Systèmes is not just about adopting new technology; it’s about laying the foundation for a future where digital transformation drives innovation across all facets of vehicle development. By adopting the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, Volkswagen Group is positioning itself at the forefront of the digital transformation in the automotive industry, enhancing its ability to innovate rapidly and respond to market demands with greater agility.
Leveraging the Power of Virtual Twins
At the heart of this transformation lies the concept of virtual twins. Virtual twins are digital replicas of physical products, systems, or processes that can be used to simulate, monitor, and optimize performance. These digital counterparts enable teams to virtually test and refine vehicle designs, providing valuable insights into performance, safety, and efficiency before any physical prototypes are built.
The use of virtual twins in the development process allows for a more comprehensive, risk-free, and cost-effective approach to vehicle design. Engineers and designers can explore multiple design iterations, optimize vehicle components, and test new features without the need for expensive physical prototypes. The platform’s collaborative nature means that teams from different Volkswagen Group brands, such as Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche, can work together in real time, breaking down silos and fostering innovation across the organization.
Moreover, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the 3DEXPERIENCE platform enhances the platform’s capabilities even further. AI-powered simulations and data-driven insights enable teams to make more informed decisions, predict potential issues, and accelerate the development process.
Revolutionizing the Manufacturing Process
Beyond vehicle development, the partnership with Dassault Systèmes also offers transformative potential for Volkswagen Group’s manufacturing processes. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform will allow the company to create a unified digital thread that connects design, engineering, and manufacturing in a seamless flow of data. This interconnectedness will help streamline production planning, reduce waste, and improve the overall efficiency of manufacturing operations.
By utilizing the platform, Volkswagen Group will be able to plan, simulate, and optimize factory operations in a virtual environment, identifying potential bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement before any physical work begins. This proactive approach to manufacturing will not only lead to cost savings but will also help ensure that production is more sustainable, efficient, and aligned with the company’s environmental goals.
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform’s cloud-based architecture also brings a new level of flexibility and scalability to Volkswagen Group’s manufacturing operations. By hosting its digital infrastructure on the cloud, the company can easily scale its operations and adapt to changing market conditions. This cloud-based approach allows for real-time collaboration and ensures that the latest data is always available to teams, regardless of their location.
A New Era for the Automotive Industry
Pascal Daloz, CEO of Dassault Systèmes, highlighted the industry-wide significance of this partnership, noting the broader implications for the future of vehicle development. “Industry evolutions in the context of the Generative Economy are compelling automotive companies to make transformative decisions that will propel the vehicle experience to new heights,” Daloz remarked. “After four decades of partnership rooted in innovation and trust, we’re now embarking on the next chapter with Volkswagen Group with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform at its core. Our AI-powered virtual twins and the strength and resilience of the cloud will unify Volkswagen Group’s hardware and software innovation and unleash the knowledge and know-how to accelerate its software-driven transformation.”
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform’s AI-powered virtual twins will play a pivotal role in unlocking new levels of innovation across Volkswagen Group’s vehicle development efforts. By integrating AI into the virtual twin environment, teams can leverage advanced algorithms and predictive analytics to optimize vehicle performance, safety, and user experience. The cloud-based infrastructure will also enable teams to collaborate in real time, share data seamlessly, and ensure that all stakeholders are aligned throughout the development process.
As the automotive industry continues to evolve, the ability to embrace digital transformation and leverage cutting-edge technologies like the 3DEXPERIENCE platform will be critical for automakers seeking to maintain a competitive edge. Volkswagen Group’s decision to partner with Dassault Systèmes is a bold step toward embracing the future of vehicle development and manufacturing.
Industry Solutions for the Modern Automotive Landscape
Volkswagen Group’s adoption of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform will be supported by four key Dassault Systèmes industry solution experiences: “Global Modular Architecture,” “Smart, Safe and Connected,” “Efficient Multi-Energy Platform,” and “On-Target Vehicle Launch.” These solution experiences are tailored to address the specific challenges and opportunities facing the automotive industry, from modular vehicle design to the integration of smart and connected technologies.
- Global Modular Architecture: This solution enables the design of flexible, scalable vehicle architectures that can be adapted to different markets and customer needs. It allows for the rapid creation of new vehicle variants while maintaining consistency in design and manufacturing processes.
- Smart, Safe and Connected: This experience focuses on the development of advanced, connected vehicle technologies that enhance safety, performance, and user experience. It includes solutions for autonomous driving, in-car connectivity, and the integration of AI-powered features.
- Efficient Multi-Energy Platform: With the automotive industry shifting toward more sustainable solutions, this experience supports the development of multi-energy vehicles, including electric and hybrid powertrains, while optimizing energy consumption and reducing emissions.
- On-Target Vehicle Launch: This solution helps streamline the vehicle launch process, ensuring that new models are brought to market on time, within budget, and with the desired quality standards.
These industry solution experiences, built on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, will provide Volkswagen Group with the tools and capabilities needed to drive innovation, enhance product development, and ensure the successful launch of new vehicles in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
