AC/DC

Coordinated by Continental AG the consortium of major European car manufacturers, suppliers, research institutions, and academia addresses a vehicle system that promises maximum impact and reward regarding the transferability to other parts of the vehicle and that can be achieved within the 4 years of duration of the project:

From a technical point-of-view, the developed highly mechatronic automotive chassis modules support a late customisation of order-neutral modules towards costumer-specific requirements. Derived from this novel automotive chassis technology there is plenty of potential for even new drive-trains, electrical propulsion, and new wheel systems. The technologies tackled by AC+DC enhance existing safety functions and increase driving comfort options. Technical progress in intelligent software and sensor-actuator technology combined in customer-neutral mechatronic chassis modules pave the way to the next generation of automotive chassis, which needs to be taken into account by new automotive production processes.

AC+DC develops the requisite “dynamic supply chain collaboration concept” that promotes the conventional automotive terms of delivery to a highly reactive “5-Day-capable” system that cuts down inventories in the supply network. Importantly, AC+DC maintains the 100 % guarantee of delivery as an uncompromised constraint. Leaving hierarchic production concepts behind by building on multiple planning loops the dynamic supply network management is an ideal test case for the integration of both the requisite high-tech module technology and the appropriate process configuration features.

AC+DC is an Integrated Project funded under Thematic Priority “Sustainable development, global change and ecosystems” of the Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development of the European Union.

AC+DC started at October 1st, 2006 and has a duration of 4 years. The project consortium consists of 18 partners from 8 countries.