Outsight’s Software Solution Powers Automation Across Automotive Factories
BMW has taken a significant step toward integrating autonomous capabilities within its production network, relying on Outsight’s innovative Roadside Autonomous Driving (RAD) solution.
LiDAR technology enables BMW’s latest Series 5, Series 7, and MINI Countryman models to navigate autonomously to their finishing areas—showcasing the remarkable potential of this technology and spatial intelligence in modern manufacturing.
Kevin Vincent
As part of its commitment to automation, BMW began testing Automated Driving In-Plant (AFW) at its Dingolfing plant, the largest in Europe. Using Outsight's RAD solution and feedback from advanced LiDAR sensors, new vehicles autonomously travel over one kilometer from assembly halls, through test courses, to finishing zones.
This breakthrough enhances both efficiency and safety, as Outsight's RAD processes 60 million LiDAR data points per second to guide approximately 300 cars daily at Dingolfing.
Embotech’s autonomous driving expertise, Hesai’s LiDAR sensors, and Outsight’s perception software form the backbone of this innovative system.
The technology ensures precision and safety as vehicles autonomously navigate BMW facilities without human intervention.
Expanding the Impact of LiDAR Technology
With CE certification secured, BMW plans to roll out across factories in Leipzig, Regensburg, Oxford, and the upcoming Debrecen facility in Hungary. This initiative marks a leap forward in combining autonomous driving technologies with real-world industrial applications. The implementation will contribute to BMW’s goal of logging millions of autonomous test kilometers within its production network over the next decade.
LiDAR’s utility in dynamic environments extends beyond manufacturing, with proven applications in large venues such as airports and stadiums to enhance crowd management. Outsight's Roadside Autonomous Driving (RAD) solution, which is hardware-agnostic, processes up to 200 million data points per second and allows integration with sensors from multiple manufacturers. This versatility enables swift hardware upgrades, ensuring future scalability.
Patrice Laurent
The RAD solution is the software based for Automated Vehicle Marshalling in the BMW plant.
A Vision for the Future of Autonomous Manufacturing
Embotech, Outsight and Hesai have successfully collaborated for several years, jointly advancing LiDAR and perception solutions for autonomous driving.
"The combination of Outsight's sophisticated LiDAR software platform and Hesai's reliable LiDAR sensors perfectly complements Embotech's autonomous driving expertise," says Dr. Alexander Domahidi, CTO and Founder of Embotech. "This collaboration ensures the highest standards of safety and efficiency in BMW's automated vehicle operations."
This latest strategic collaboration builds upon a strong foundation, enabling the companies to provide best-in-class technology for AVM, which is safety rated, fulfilling the highest performance and availability requirements.
According to Raul Bravo, President and co-founder at Outsight, “Our collaboration with Embotech, Hesai, and BMW highlights the increasing maturity of LiDAR technology, particularly the software underpinning it. Its application to real-world factory conditions demonstrate its ability to enhance industrial safety and efficiency, while underlining the importance of a comprehensive framework to realise the potential of autonomous driving.”
“Hesai is proud to partner with Embotech and Outsight to deliver cutting-edge lidar technology for BMW’s Automated Vehicle Marshalling (AVM) system,” says Dr. David Li, CEO and Co-founder of Hesai Technology. “This state-of-the-art technology demonstrates the high level of precision and safety offered by our lidar and Outsight's perception software for Embotech’s autonomous driving solutions. We look forward to continuing our collaboration and bringing this technology to more factories around the world.”
The integrated solution is now actively supporting the marshalling of newly manufactured vehicles through various stages of the production and logistics process in three BMW facilities. This deployment marks the initial phase in a global rollout to multiple plants across Europe and North America.
About the Collaborators
Outsight
A leader in 3D perception software, Outsight digitizes motion data for improved operations and safety in industries ranging from transportation hubs to manufacturing.
Learn more at www.outsight.ai.
embotech
Renowned for autonomous driving solutions, Embotech specializes in Automated Vehicle Marshalling (AVM) and Automated Terminal Trucks (ATT) technologies.
Learn more at www.embotech.com.
Hesai
A global leader in LiDAR technology, Hesai provides solutions for automotive and robotics applications, supporting innovation in mobility.
Learn more at www.hesaitech.com.
