Mercedes-AMG combines predictive, Big Data and realtime with SAP HANA for new engineering processes

[Former Member]

Mercedes-AMG specialices in unique, high performance vehicles. As the performance brand of Mercedes-Benz, we aim to be the world leader in high-performance cars that inspire and excite.

The brand tagline of Mercedes-AMG  is “Driving Performance.” “Driving Performance” describes the two core elements of our brand. Firstly, the power delivery, handling and sound – in other words, the elements that define the unique AMG driving experience. And secondly, our claim to be the innovator in the high-performance segment.

Having already conducted a robust and highly successful proof of concept of SAP Business Suite On SAP HANA that led to the first ERP on HANA System in production in the automotive industry, we were eager to leverage the technology in another area that is crucial to our success—namely, our engineering processes.

We started with one of our most critical tools—the test bench. This is where we test and refine our engines—they spend countless hours here before they ever reach the test track. Engine tests are a costly and data-intensive process, typically running 50 minutes and generating up to 30,000 data elements per second.

By matching the data derived from the test bench with data already available from comparable engines in realtime, slightest deviations are found, making a stop of the testing procedure possible if things need to be investigated before the whole test is run. This feature leads to a significant improvement in the test bench usage.

Using SAP HANA, we developed Vmax. It is a powerful, scalable platform based on international data standards that can be optimized for multiple areas in the development and manufacturing process. Vmax gives the engineering team a dashboard that shows engine behavior and helps to find slightest deviations by comparing data of engine runs that are available in the test library in realtime, so we can terminate the tests immediately and analyze if we feel that improvements need to be done. This efficiency has resulted in the equivalent of extra d testing capacity each week—which also contributes to a reduction in our overall capital expenditures.

The Vmax platform provides Mercedes engineering and quality management with:

•     One integrated real-time platform for engine testing, development and quality assurance

•     A 360º view of real-time engine performance during all testing phases

•     New analytics techniques for semi-automation of the testing process

•     Increased productivity for engineering teams that can access data on any mobile device

And this breakthrough is just the start of our plans for SAP HANA. We’re currently working on bringing Vmax to other phases of our testing cycle, including Track and Endurance tests.