NTU Singapore and a multinational automotive manufacturer have agreed to work collaboratively on a series of joint research projects centred on advanced solutions for the manufacturing of electric vehicles (EVs) and developing future mobility solutions in the country. Four pilot projects on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Additive Manufacturing will be explored in the initial stage which starts this month.
These projects seek to create solutions that will transform conventional car manufacturing facilities into cutting-edge Industry 4.0 factories. One such project will investigate the use of additive manufacturing in the production of electric vehicles. Researchers will investigate how AM machines can be used effectively in the customisation of automotive components, as well as how they can be integrated into a smart factory operation. This is intended to support the vision of smart manufacturing, in which customers can order and customise a car model to their preference.
This collaboration will build on NTU’s core strengths, in areas such as additive manufacturing, AI, autonomous and electric vehicles, and big data to bring about benefits to the automotive industry, Singapore, and the global society.
– NTU President
NTU President opined that the partnership with the multinational automotive manufacturer was an example of how close collaboration with the industry plays an important role in developing relevant solutions to address real-world issues. The partnership fell in line with the NTU 2025 strategic plan that aims to address some of the grand challenges facing humanity.
The university was declared the first academic research partner for multinational automotive manufacturer’s Innovation Centre in Singapore in October of last year. The centre, which will be completed by the end of next year, is an open research facility for the company’s future mobility research and development.
“The automotive manufacturer aims to build an ecosystem for the future mobility industry based on open innovation,” said President and Chief Innovation Offer at the automotive company. “We are going to strengthen collaboration with NTU and develop advanced solutions to revolutionise future mobility value chain going forward.” The latest agreement from the partners will focus on Industry 4.0 technologies, such as 3D printing and AI, to advance the manufacturing processes for EVs and improve future mobility offerings within the automotive industry.
Subsequently, the project intends to transform traditional car manufacturing facilities into cutting-edge ‘smart’ factories of the future, outfitted with advanced production technologies. Beginning this month, the partners will conduct four pilot projects to investigate how 3D printing and artificial intelligence can be integrated into EV manufacturing.
Apart from R&D projects, the latest agreement aims to pave the way for future collaborations aimed at developing talent in the automotive industry. For example, the partners will grasp AM competitions focusing on innovative applications of the technology in automotive engineering. The goal is to pique undergraduates’ interest in EV manufacturing and encourage them to imagine what future mobility might look like. At the same time, the competition will provide an opportunity for people to learn about the advantages of AM technology in EVs.
Joint educational seminars will also serve as a platform for industry experts from the automotive company and NTU academics to exchange ideas and skills. OpenGov Asia reported on the efforts to expand Singapore’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure where all Housing and Development Board (HDB) car parks in at least eight towns will be fitted with EV chargers by 2025. The aim is to make every HDB town an “EV-ready” town by the 2030s. The eight towns – Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Choa Chu Kang, Jurong West, Punggol, Queenstown, Sembawang, and the upcoming Tengah town – are part of a “town-centric” approach being taken for the installation of charging points.