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Autodesk Collaborates With Volkswagen Group on Generative Design in Electric Showcase Vehicle
Last week, Volkswagen Group celebrated the 20th anniversary of its largest research facility outside Germany by unveiling a modern take on the iconic VW Microbus from 1962. This vintage vehicle has been updated with cutting-edge technologies that VW believes will play a major role in shaping the future of the automotive industry. Focused on enhancing strength while reducing weight, the company collaborated with Autodesk to reimagine several components of this electrically inspired showcase vehicle.
Nikolai Reimer, the executive director of the Innovation and Engineering Center California (IECC), expressed excitement about the project: “We’re blending classic Volkswagen design with fresh concepts and innovative solutions from our partners like Autodesk. It’s thrilling to explore what’s possible and create something truly unique as a tribute to our values.â€
One crucial aspect of designing electric vehicles involves finding every opportunity to reduce weight since lighter cars require less energy to move, translating into longer ranges per charge—a key consideration for consumers. Generative design emerged as a vital solution.
Generative design was applied to the wheels, resulting in an impressive 18% reduction in weight. Andrew Morandi, senior product designer at Volkswagen Group, remarked, “With generative design, we can produce structures that would be unimaginable through traditional methods. Seeing how much material we could eliminate from a standard wheel was surprising and exhilarating. The entire team was thrilled when the final rims arrived.â€
The Microbus project also utilized generative design for the steering wheel, rear bench seating support structure, and external side mirror mounts.
Erik Glaser, principal product designer, explained, “People don’t usually associate touchpoints like mounts with innovation. We aimed to place generatively designed objects where they’d be touched, highlighting their beauty and strength.â€
Generative design not only aids in creating lighter, stronger parts but also accelerates design processes, enabling better decision-making. Morandi envisioned a future where entire vehicle frames could be generatively designed, potentially transforming manufacturing practices.
Last year, General Motors explored generative design for a lightweight electric car seat bracket, while NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory showcased its potential in space exploration. Reimer emphasized the vast untapped potential of this technology, predicting it will transform both products and work processes.
As we continue to explore the intersection of human ingenuity and AI, the possibilities for creating lighter, smarter, and more sustainable products seem endless. This innovation could redefine industries and the way we approach design challenges in the coming decades.