Technology in action: inside the transparent factory

What a stunning video that is likely to become a permanent fixture on the schemes of work for many colleagues. This 6 minute video gives you a guided tour of VW’s “transparent factory”. Wow!

The factory, located in Dresden, is designed not only to make high quality luxury cars. It aims to build the brand values inherent in the product.

Fantastic examples of robotic technology in action; it’s amazing how the robots are guided by tens of thousands of magnets built into the factory floor. The use of “intelligent tools” is quite mind-blowing; a great example how flow production can be used in the production of high specification and complex products .

Customers are paying premium price for their car, so it’s a neat twist allowing them to both view and (in some cases) build their own cars.

Good examples of the use of quality control too before finished cars are transported to the storage silo.

Why called a transparent factory? Every part of the production process is visible from all parts of the factory. Where traditional factories have walls, this factor has glass - everywhere.