On June 4, EcoPro stated that it plans to go beyond using AI as a mere work assistant, applying it comprehensively in manufacturing and research and development (R&D) to drive significant innovation.
Notably, the company's Hungarian subsidiary, EcoPro BM, aims to enhance productivity through the introduction of AI-based robotics for operational automation.
EcoPro intends to implement a "three-phase roadmap" to become an AI-driven enterprise, leveraging partnerships with leading AI consulting firms.
According to the AX three-phase roadmap, EcoPro will establish the foundation for AX this year through company-wide data standardization and pilot projects.
Building on this, the company plans to scale up operations next year, with the goal of becoming an AI-driven company by 2028, where AI will facilitate 24/7 operations across all domestic and international subsidiaries.
Initially, EcoPro will integrate AI into its R&D sector, aiming to reduce the lead time from R&D to mass production by 50%.
Previously, the timeline for product planning to mass production took at least three to five years, but the company plans to cut this duration in half using AI.
The introduction of "Physical AI" will also be pursued, with plans to establish autonomous manufacturing plants and laboratories. This implementation is expected to allow robots to take over hazardous tasks, creating a continuous operation and experimentation system that functions 24/7 throughout the year.
The production sites will also integrate AI operational systems. The current reliance on workers' experience and intuition will shift to an "AI autonomous control environment" utilizing a manufacturing data platform and machine learning. EcoPro aims to enhance operational efficiency and manufacturing productivity by 30% through the establishment of an "AI autonomous control mother line" in precursor and cathode material calcination lines.
AI is expected to analyze and predict defect causes with 95% accuracy and reduce energy consumption by approximately 15-20% through a data-driven predictive maintenance system.
Lee Soo-ho, Vice President of EcoPro's AI Innovation Office, stated, "Beyond innovating traditional manufacturing methods, collaboration with AI is now essential. We plan to create an environment where employees can naturally utilize AI as a colleague, thereby improving operational efficiency across the board."
Meanwhile, EcoPro BM plans to commence full-scale production at its Debrecen plant in Hungary during the first half of the year. This move aims to directly address the tightening regional regulations, such as the EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), while strengthening its supply chain and securing new clients among European original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
* This article has been translated by AI.
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