Zebra to showcase machine vision at Battery Show

These solutions address automation, quality, and compliance requirements for electric vehicle and battery inspection.

Attendees will discover how Zebra’s deep learning machine vision software, 2D and 3D technology, and vision-guided robotics, in collaboration with its partner ID Engineering, can enhance visual inspection for quality, safety, and compliance in electric battery manufacturing. The deep learning machine vision software, cameras, and 3D sensors are applicable for inspecting cell components, cell stacks, module and pack assemblies, and cover-to-tray assemblies.

“Electric battery and vehicle manufacturers are leveraging deep learning machine vision solutions that increase efficiency with industrial automation, which Zebra and partners provide to carmakers and EV battery suppliers,” said Rudolf Schambeck, Senior Manager, Machine Vision, Germany, Zebra Technologies. “These solutions excel in electric battery use cases that require more advanced inspection of surfaces and fabrics such as car seats and interiors, detection of anomalies with wide variations, classification, segmentation, and robotic guidance.”

Electric batteries are central to the transition to electric vehicles, with ongoing research into advancements beyond current lithium compositions, including solid-state and sodium-ion batteries, which promise more compact, faster-charging, and lighter batteries. Supporting these developments requires a range of advanced technologies to ensure the quality and compliance of materials, components, and assembled batteries, while minimising production line downtime.

“We work with a supplier to a global automotive manufacturer of luxury, high performance cars which is using Zebra’s Aurora deep learning software as part of a solution for the inspection and assembly of electric batteries,” said Tobias Butscheid, Chief Operating Officer, ID Engineering, who will join Zebra’s booth. “In such a competitive industry with regulatory, consumer and environmental requirements and expectations, it's essential that electric battery manufacturers work with experienced partners and reliable solutions that deliver the outcomes they need.”  

Zebra’s 2023 report on AI machine vision in the automotive industry revealed that 56% of automotive business leaders surveyed in the UK and 43% in Germany are already using some form of AI, such as deep learning, in their machine vision projects, with around 20% on average seeking more information or looking to procure such solutions.

Carmakers and EV battery suppliers are employing machine vision to inspect surface coating uniformity, detect cell defects, read barcodes and serial numbers, ensure consistent application of adhesives and thermal beads, and conduct quality assessments for assembled battery packs. Additionally, machine vision is used in robotic picking, sorting, and assembly processes, where the machine vision camera and software guide the robotic arm’s actions.