Since the launch of the Intelligent Data Models for Battery Cell Production (INSIGHT) project in 2024, the BMW Group and the University of Zagreb, through the Regional Center of Excellence for Robotic Technologies (CRTA) operating within the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, have been jointly developing and implementing practical artificial intelligence-based models to optimise battery cell manufacturing within the BMW Group. The project covers the entire battery cell value chain: from electrode production to end-of-line testing and in-house developed direct recycling.
As part of the INSIGHT project, doctoral candidates and students at the University of Zagreb collect and structure available production data, using it to develop AI-based models capable of identifying specific patterns. These models then generate predictions that further improve production efficiency, quality, and costs in battery cell manufacturing and recycling.
The initial collaboration between the University of Zagreb and the BMW Group, launched in 2024, was further expanded through an Agreement signed in January 2025 by the Rector of the University of Zagreb, Prof. Stjepan Lakušić, PhD, the Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, Prof. Zdenko Tonković, PhD, and Moritz Poremba, Head of Battery Cell Recycling Technology Development at the BMW Group. Since then, the partnership between the BMW Group and the University of Zagreb has been even more strongly focused on strengthening the innovation capacity and competitiveness of both partners.
The University of Zagreb contributes to this important project with its expertise in the fields of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science, while the continuous exchange of knowledge benefits both sides: the University of Zagreb provides the BMW Group with access to the latest research results, while doctoral candidates and students of the University of Zagreb have the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in practice and expand their professional network within the industry, thereby increasing their attractiveness in the labour market.
Media material highlighting the successful collaboration between the BMW Group and the University of Zagreb, which integrates theory and practice through cooperation between academia and industry, are available on the BMW Group website.
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