[Report] 'New Technology Incubator' Volkswagen German Dresden Factory

Volkswagen Dresden Plant as Group's New Technology Testbed
Attempts with Automation Solutions, AI Pilot Projects
Transforming from Internal Combustion Luxury Car Plant to Electric Vehicle Factory
Future Autonomous Vehicle Production Also Possible
Plant Manager Goede: "Dresden Plant Has Become a Source of Pride for Local Residents"

"Volkswagen is conducting various pilot projects at its Dresden plant. We plan to expand our scope to include the production of future vehicles such as electric cars and autonomous vehicles. We aim to make this plant a leader in advanced technology."

On the 29th of last month (local time), at the Volkswagen Dresden plant located in Saxony, southeastern Germany, Plant Manager Martin G?de emphasized this. Nicknamed the ‘glass factory,’ this site is where new attempts such as automation solutions and artificial intelligence (AI) pilot projects are being carried out.

The Volkswagen Dresden factory, nicknamed the "glass factory," in full view [Photo by Volkswagen]

The Volkswagen Dresden plant serves as a kind of testbed. New technologies are tested in this small-scale plant, and if successful, they are expanded to Volkswagen plants worldwide. On the second floor of this plant, production workers dressed in white T-shirts and white overalls were busy assembling parts. Cars were sparsely placed on a conveyor belt that covered the entire floor, with only two or three workers moving around to work. An autonomous transport system carrying parts followed each car to supply the necessary components. This autonomous transport robot system has been in place since the plant was established in 2001. Systems that have passed through here have now spread to Volkswagen plants worldwide.

The body and platform are being assembled through automated robots on the assembly production line at the Volkswagen Dresden plant.
[Photo by Woo Su-yeon]

On this day, Volkswagen revealed to the press the process of ‘marriage’?the joining of the electric vehicle’s lower platform and upper body. A massive robot carried the electric vehicle body along rails connected to the factory ceiling. Another robot crawling on the floor brought the electric vehicle’s floor platform to the same spot. Thanks to the efforts of these two robots, the body and platform met. The parts, which were separate components, combined to finally create a single electric vehicle.

The plant’s daily production volume is only 26 units, about 800 units per year. Of the 350 employees, about one-third?around 100?are production workers. This scale is extremely small compared to typical factories. The reason it can operate with only about 100 employees is that this plant is both a testbed and a highly automated process. Sheet metal and body welding, as well as painting processes, are all carried out externally; this plant only performs final assembly.

Assembly production line at Volkswagen Dresden plant
Photo by Woo Su-yeon

When established in 2001, the Dresden plant was a dedicated production line for luxury cars. Volkswagen produced the flagship sedan Phaeton here, launched to compete with premium brands. Currently, the Dresden plant has transformed into a dedicated factory for the brand’s electric vehicles. Since 2021, it has been producing the first vehicle of Volkswagen’s electric ID series, the ID.3. The Dresden plant is considering not only expanding electric vehicle models but also future autonomous vehicle production.

Martin G?de, Volkswagen Dresden Plant Manager
Photo by Woo Su-yeon

Marking its 23rd anniversary, the Dresden plant has become a landmark in the local community. Covering an area equivalent to 11 soccer fields, the surroundings of the plant have been landscaped with green spaces where various flora and fauna can thrive. Since 2018, it has been the first Volkswagen plant worldwide to operate entirely on 100% eco-friendly energy. With over 100,000 visitors annually, the Dresden plant has revitalized the local community.

Plant Manager G?de said, "When we first announced the plan, there was strong opposition from residents who questioned why a factory should be built in a green, urban area. We actively communicated with the residents to explain the concept of the plant. Now, decades later, local residents consider the Dresden plant a symbol of the city and take pride in it."