Collaboration between CRTA and BMW Group
Successful Collaboration for Technological Advancement and Education
The Regional Center of Excellence for Robotic Technologies (CRTA), part of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture (FSB) at the University of Zagreb, and the BMW Group from Munich are continuing their successful partnership, which began at the end of 2023 with the INSIGHT project (Intelligent Data Models for Battery Cell Production). The INSIGHT project with BMW Group marked the beginning of a collaboration to develop a new generation of predictive models based on artificial intelligence, aiming to improve quality and reduce costs in battery cell production.
Inclusion of Researchers and Students
Researchers from the faculty, master’s students, and PhD candidates are involved in the research work, enhancing their professional competence and mobility from the academic sphere to the industry. This collaboration provides young professionals with valuable experience and knowledge that is directly applicable in the industry.
Transformation of the Automotive Industry
The automotive industry is undergoing a significant transformation towards electromobility, with the high-voltage battery becoming a key component of electric vehicles. The battery cell, as the central component of the battery, plays a decisive role in achieving optimal battery production. Therefore, the BMW Group has established two competence centers:
- Battery Cell Competence Center (BCCC): Focused on the development of new product technologies.
- Cell Manufacturing Competence Center (CMCC): Opened in October 2023, focused on process technology.
Optimization of battery cell production and properties, faced with great complexity and numerous parameters, relies on artificial intelligence for process analysis and optimization.
Support from BMW Croatia and Tomić & Co.
Due to the successful collaboration between the BMW Group and the University of Zagreb, BMW Croatia, specifically Tomić & Co., decided to donate a BMW iX1 xDrive30 to the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture. This vehicle will enable FSB to demonstrate the car as part of the curriculum on electric vehicle drives, promote electrification, clean and sustainable transportation, and the use of renewable energy sources—one of the Faculty’s priorities.
Official Handover Ceremony
The official handover ceremony took place on Wednesday, May 29, at 12 PM at the University Teaching Center AGG-FSB, Ulica Grada Gospića 1a. This event confirms FSB's commitment to developing top experts who will be the bearers of future innovations in the automotive industry. The partnership with BMW and the support from Tomić & Co. highlight the importance of synergy between academic institutions and industry leaders in creating sustainable and advanced technological solutions.
This collaboration represents a significant step forward in connecting the academic community and industry, enabling the creation of innovative and sustainable technological solutions that will shape the future of the automotive industry.
The project was co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund
The website was co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund.
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