Mercedes Benz is creating a virtual model of its entire worldwide manufacturing network using digital twin technology from NavVis. This includes reality capture technology allowing for rapid digitisation of buildings and assets, as well as cloud-based digital twin software for manufacturing.

Another component selected by Mercedes Benz is Plant View. Based on NavVis IVION Enterprise, Plant View provides navigation of digital models of complete factory sites, collaboration and initial concept design capabilities.

Plant View also allows for collaboration with external partners, and adopted a global cloud-based model in 2022.

The partnership between Mercedes-Benz Group and NavVis is to make all Mercedes Benz factories worldwide virtually accessible in Plant View.

The basis for this is the software solution NavVis IVION Enterprise that provides photorealistic panoramic images, floor plans, and point cloud data from 3D scans. After moving to a cloud-based model, the data can be used by both Mercedes-Benz employees and external parties in areas such as planning, assembly, or facility management to simulate changes to the production line or look for opportunities to improve processes.

“We are constantly working on improving our production lines, but to do that you have to know what the plant currently looks like,” said Oliver Geissel, head of digitalisation of production planning at Mercedes-Benz. “NavVis provided the scanning technology NavVis VLX to map every aspect of our plants, and then worked with us to make the gathered data available in Plant View. Now, our employees and partners can navigate through the virtual version of the plant and easily perform tasks such as simulating new layouts and optimising available space from their devices – without ever stepping foot inside the actual plant.”

“Think of Plant View and NavVis IVION as a map for plants – very similar to what you use on your private computer and phone. It acts as the first touchpoint for all the people involved in factory planning. They can navigate through the plant, take measurements, mark important locations, and much more,” said Dr Felix Reinshagen, CEO and co-founder of NavVis. “We took our own software, NavVis IVION Enterprise, and tailored it specifically to the needs of our partner Mercedes to support them on their digital transformation journey.”