Abstract
Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are poised to take over the automotive market. This study examines capabilities to reduce material handling systems and to increase the flexibility and changeability provided by AVs’ self-driving function during assembly. We combine a literature review with a set of twenty-six interviews with experts and a cross-case study of three automotive manufacturers to identify (1) the minimum functional requirements of manufacturing driving readiness (MDR), i.e., self-driving unfinished AVs in factories, (2) the parts and processes needed to meet the requirements, (3) the changes required in the assembly sequence and (4) the resulting requirements for automotive design. One main finding is that automotive industry could reach MDR after an assembly state of 60% without major design changes. Our results will affect decision-makers in assembly engineering, automotive designers and researchers of automotive assembly systems and innovations.
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