Driving the Future: AI & Pirelli.

In the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications across various industries, one might not immediately consider its impact on the traditional tyre manufacturing industry. However, in a recent episode of the "Me, Myself, and AI" podcast, Daniele Petecchi , Head of Data Management and Data Science at Pirelli , shed light on how AI is revolutionizing the way tyres are developed and manufactured. This article delves into the key insights from the discussion, highlighting the integration of AI into Pirelli’s operations and its transformative effects.

About Pirelli

Pirelli, a renowned Italian tyre manufacturer with over 150 years of history, has always been at the forefront of innovation in the automotive industry. They have 18 plants around the world and Daniele Petecchi emphasizes that Pirelli’s commitment to high-quality and high-performance tyres, particularly for luxurious and premium clients, necessitates a robust data-driven approach. As the unique supplier of tyres for Formula One, Pirelli leverages AI to maintain its competitive edge and meet the stringent requirements of its customers.

Accelerating the R&D

One of the critical applications of AI at Pirelli is in the research and development (R&D) phase. Traditionally, developing a new tyre involves a lengthy iterative process of designing, prototyping, and testing. This could take several months and was resource-intensive. However, with AI and the concept of digital twins, Pirelli has transformed this process.

The digital twin is nothing but the virtualization of the product with AI. Pirelli has developed a neural network model trained on extensive historical data, enabling them to predict crucial characteristics of a tyre without needing the prototyping phase. It is noteworthy that attributes like tyre noise are becoming increasingly important with the rise of silent electric vehicles. This predictive ability not only accelerates the R&D process but also lowers development costs and improves tyre precision.

Application of AI in Manufacturing

AI’s role extends beyond R&D into the manufacturing process, where efficiency and quality are paramount. Petecchi explains that AI enables a shift from reactive to preventive approaches in production. Predictive maintenance and quality control are achieved through the integration of IoT sensors and AI models that monitor and analyze data in real time.

For instance, during tyre production, AI models can provide early warnings of potential quality issues, allowing for immediate adjustments without halting the entire process. This ensures that the final products meet Pirelli’s high standards while optimizing the efficiency of the production lines.

Ingredients of a Tyre

tyre is like a pie. - Daniele Petecchi,

While generative AI is often associated with text and language models, its application at Pirelli goes much further. Petecchi describes how generative AI models are used to suggest optimal combinations of hundreds of ingredients for new tyre formulations, which consist of at least 26 sub-parts. These models, trained on extensive data, can propose innovative compounding of the ingredients that were traditionally the domain of human experts, thus enhancing both the creativity and efficiency of the R&D process.

Conclusion

The insights shared by Daniele Petecchi underscore the profound impact of AI on Pirelli’s operations, from R&D to manufacturing. By harnessing the power of AI, Pirelli not only accelerates its innovation cycles but also ensures that it remains a leader in the highly competitive automotive industry. As AI continues to evolve, its potential to further transform traditional industries like tyre manufacturing becomes increasingly evident.

This article captures the essence of the podcast episode(S9E901) and presents it in a structured and engaging manner. Next time when you see a Ferrari, Red Bull, or any other F1 car getting their tyres changed in sub 2 seconds, think of what went behind the scenes of those Pirelli tyres.

Source: Ransbotham, S. and Khodabandeh, S. (2024) ‘Driving Manufacturing Efficiency With AI: Pirelli’s Daniele Petecchi’, MIT Sloan Management Review.