BMW, Zagreb expand AI battery cell research

BMW Group is expanding an AI research project with Croatia’s University of Zagreb to optimise battery cell production across its competence centre network. The “Insight” project, running since 2024 with the university’s Regional Centre of Excellence for Robotic Technology (CRTA), covers the full value chain from electrode production to direct recycling.

At BMW Group’s Battery Cell Competence Centre (BCCC) in Munich, AI models use existing test data and real-time production data to predict cell process parameters and performance. BMW Group said the approach cuts time and material needed for individual process steps by more than 50%, while maintaining or improving quality.

The prediction models also support final approval of cells. After initial charging, cells are normally “quarantined” at set temperatures before installation. The AI systems can analyse cells in advance, potentially eliminating this step and freeing up storage capacity.

Christian Siedelhofer, Head of Technology Development Lithium-Ion Battery Cells at BMW Group, said: “We are working on scaling the newly developed AI models from the prototype environment. We are also examining to what extent these models are suitable for additional use cases within our production network.”

Stefan Kerscher, Head of Technology Development Battery Cells at BMW Group, added: “Our joint project gets doctoral candidates and students interested in AI and battery cells and the work we do at our Battery Cell Competence Centres.”

Source: BMW Group