INVESTORS IN MSK

at robots; we also use automatically guided

vehicles, big data analytics, and AI. Vitesco

Technologies FST is also aiming at reaching

the next stage of automation where robots will

be equipped with cameras, sensors and AI,

allowing them to make their own decisions.

I believe there are many reasons why

automation is important. First, it helps with

employee health and safety, as dangerous

tasks can be performed by robots. Secondly,

handing repetitive tasks over to robots

decreases the potential for errors. Finally, it

is very cost efficient, as robot prices have

dropped significantly due to the development

of this technology.

What advice would you give to production

companies looking for opportunities to

improve their competitiveness through

digital factories?

I believe that the first step is changing

the mindset of employees and showing

them that this is truly the path forward.

Next, it is important to understand the

degree of automation the company is

already at, where it wants to be, and

then we can construct a roadmap for its

goals. Additionally, organisation is key, for

example, we have a digitisation lead who

manages & co-ordinates all digitisation

projects at the factory. This role is central in

guiding digitisation efforts.

perhaps favor other alternatives, such as

hydrogen?

I think the future undoubtedly lies in

electric vehicles; and I am not alone in

this; various consultancies conducted

studies and predicted that by 2030, 60%

of newly produced vehicles will be fully

electric. Many countries, not only in the

EU but also China and the US, are making

a move towards electrification due to CO2

emission mitigation efforts. Hydrogen I can

imagine as a technology for commercial

vehicles, but passenger vehicles will be

battery-operated.

The automotive industry is undergoing

great change. Do you think the future

lies in electric vehicles or do you

Mr Krishnan, thank you for the interview.

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