Latest industry news and thought leadership blogs from the most influential manufacturing figures.
Digital transformation in automotive manufacturing is reshaping how vehicles are designed, built and delivered. The sector has long been a frontrunner in robotic application and deployment but other advanced technologies such as IoT sensors, artificial intelligence and cloud computing are enabling smarter factories and data-driven decision-making.
Connected production lines monitor performance in real time, reducing downtime and improving quality. And digital twins simulate vehicles and manufacturing processes, accelerating innovation and lowering costs.
In addition, automotive is also a sector that is currently going through significant disruption. The rise of electric vehicles has created demand for battery capacity around the globe and as software-defined vehicles become more ubiquitous, manufacturers are increasing the use of over-the-air updates and advanced electronics to create more flexible, efficient and customer-focused production ecosystems.
“We are using ground-breaking AI technology to enhance the craftsmanship, sustainability and innovation of the brand’s iconic car interiors. The investment in this pioneering new technology further enhances the sustainability of Bentley’s luxurious cabins, reducing waste and optimising leather usage. Hide Inspection also showcases how cutting-edge innovation and Bentley’s traditional craftsmanship techniques can co-exist side-by-side.
Hide Inspection is just one of many industry-first innovations at our Dream Factory in Crewe, where all Bentley models are built. Our Beyond100+ strategy will see the company reinvent its entire product range to support a more sustainable, electrified future. That includes Bentley’s new digital, zero environmental impact manufacturing and quality facility, as well as the development of our first BEV (battery electric vehicle), one that will set the benchmark for the luxury cars of the future.”
“As we transform our facilities, we’re rethinking every part of our factories, including how we maintain and operate them.
Trials at our site in Wolverhampton have shown that advanced drone technology can help us improve employee safety, reduce maintenance downtime and operate more efficiently. Just as importantly, they’re helping upskill our people in the latest digital technologies, ensuring our teams are part of our factories of the future.”
“The biggest result from new technologies will be the near automatic decisions that will be made based on the data we create. We have extremely powerful algorithms and AI tools that we use in decision making. By 2035, I can imagine a significant amount of race strategies will be completely automated.
There is the possibility to elaborate on strategies in an extremely sophisticated way, such as the way we approach the race before, during and after. Fifteen years ago, there weren’t many computers involved within the sport at all. The data we did have was found within Excel spreadsheets. Now we have powerful high-performance computing systems – with more on the way – intensely targeting AI tools and algorithms.”
“By integrating advanced AI-driven engineering software and decades of testing data, we’re able to simulate and validate vehicle performance with remarkable precision.
Machine learning models, trained on a combination of historical test data and digital simulations, allow us to reduce reliance on physical prototypes – cutting development time and resource use significantly. This approach not only accelerates our time to market but also supports our commitment to innovation and sustainability. As we look to the future, AI will play an increasingly central role in how we design, test, and deliver the next generation of vehicles to our customers sooner.”
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The Manufacturer • 14 Apr 2025
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