Ford Otosan, a joint venture between Ford Motor and Koç Holding in Turkey, has implemented D-Wave Quantum’s vehicle manufacturing application to enhance its production processes for the Ford Transit line of vehicles. This quantum computing technology has revolutionized production sequencing for Ford Otosan, ultimately improving efficiency and productivity.
The Ford Transit line of vehicles, which includes passenger vans and boasts over 1,500 customizable variants, presents a unique manufacturing challenge due to the complexity involved in switching production setups for different specifications. To address this challenge, Ford Otosan partnered with D-Wave to optimize production sequencing across the body shop, paint shop, and assembly line.
By leveraging D-Wave’s annealing quantum computing technology through the Leap quantum cloud service and hybrid solvers, Ford Otosan has significantly reduced scheduling time from 30 minutes to under five for 1,000 vehicles. This quantum solution not only accelerates the production process but also offers the flexibility to adapt to demand fluctuations and part availability, ensuring high levels of productivity.
Ziya Dalkılıç, a data scientist at Ford Otosan, emphasized the importance of maintaining superior production processes to meet customer demand. The collaboration with D-Wave has enabled the development and deployment of a quantum optimization application that surpasses the capabilities of traditional computing approaches.
Furthermore, Ford Otosan aims to minimize unplanned maintenance and establish a more stable production environment through the implementation of this cutting-edge technology. Dr. Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave, highlighted the superiority of quantum computing in finding optimal solutions for complex real-world problems in the manufacturing industry.
Looking ahead, Ford Otosan plans to extend the use of quantum scheduling to other areas of production, including paint shops, assembly lines, and buffer zones. This commitment to innovation and efficiency underscores Ford Otosan’s dedication to delivering high-quality vehicles to its customers.
In conclusion, the integration of D-Wave Quantum’s technology into Ford Otosan’s manufacturing processes signifies a significant step forward in the automotive industry. By harnessing the power of quantum computing, Ford Otosan has unlocked new possibilities for optimizing production and meeting the evolving demands of the market.
