Broadcom Teams with Audi to Deliver Next-Generation IT-Based Factory Automation Powered by VMware Cloud Software

Rhea-AI Summary

Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO) announced that Audi's Edge Cloud 4 Production (EC4P) initiative, powered by VMware Cloud software, has gone live at the Boellinger Hoefe plant in Germany. The initiative implements the first virtual programmable logic controller (vPLC) in the manufacturing of the electric Audi e-tron GT.

The project utilizes VMware Cloud Foundation® (VCF) private cloud platform to centralize management of factory floor devices, enhance security, and reduce environmental impact. Key benefits include infrastructure standardization, faster updates, improved agility, cost reduction through smaller hardware footprint, and enhanced security.

The implementation allows Audi to replace thousands of decentralized industrial PCs with local edge servers, creating a more efficient architecture that unites cloud and edge computing on the shop floor. The system manages virtual worker stations and vPLCs for robot control, with potential future applications in AI-driven production and computer vision.

Positive

• Implementation of virtual PLCs reduces hardware costs and maintenance expenses
• Centralized management system improves operational efficiency and reduces downtime
• Environmental impact reduction through smaller hardware footprint and less power consumption
• Enhanced security features with automated patching and quick recovery capabilities

Negative

• None.

Insights

Technology Strategy Expert

This Broadcom-Audi partnership demonstrates tangible commercial validation for Broadcom's $61 billion VMware acquisition. By successfully implementing VMware Cloud Foundation in Audi's Boellinger Hoefe plant, Broadcom proves the technology's applicability beyond traditional enterprise IT and into operational technology (OT) environments - a crucial growth vector.

The implementation represents strategic market expansion into industrial edge computing, where Broadcom can leverage VMware's virtualization capabilities to address manufacturing's digital transformation needs. By virtualizing programmable logic controllers (PLCs) that control robotics and replacing thousands of industrial PCs with centralized management, Broadcom positions its technology stack at the critical intersection of IT/OT convergence.

What's particularly significant is this isn't merely a pilot or proof-of-concept - it's a production implementation at a premium automotive plant manufacturing the e-tron GT. The Audi board member's statement about bringing this solution to "all plants" signals potential expansion across Audi's global manufacturing footprint.

The mention of future AI-driven production applications indicates this implementation establishes foundational infrastructure for higher-value workloads, creating natural upsell opportunities. While financial terms aren't disclosed, the strategic positioning in manufacturing automation represents an addressable market expansion opportunity that leverages Broadcom's existing technology assets in new domains.

Manufacturing Automation Specialist

This implementation represents a significant evolution in factory automation architecture. Traditional manufacturing environments rely on distributed industrial PCs and dedicated programmable logic controllers (PLCs) directly on production lines - creating security vulnerabilities, maintenance challenges, and flexibility limitations.

Audi's adoption of virtualized PLCs running on VMware infrastructure enables three critical manufacturing advantages: First, centralized management dramatically reduces maintenance complexity across thousands of endpoints. Second, security patching can be implemented without production line disruption - addressing a persistent manufacturing cybersecurity challenge. Third, the architecture enables rapid reconfiguration when production requirements change.

The significance extends beyond mere IT cost savings. Manufacturing facilities typically struggle with the "frozen middle" problem - where operational technology systems can't be updated without risking production disruption. By implementing a cloud foundation that separates hardware from software functions, Audi gains the ability to implement updates during planned maintenance windows rather than full production stoppages.

Particularly notable is the application in robotic control systems via virtual PLCs, demonstrating that even time-sensitive manufacturing operations can function in virtualized environments. This opens pathways to implement more advanced manufacturing analytics and AI applications without additional hardware deployments, accelerating the software-defined factory concept that industry leaders have pursued for years.

VMware Cloud Foundation helps Audi Modernize IT on the factory floor while reducing cost, complexity and environmental impact

PALO ALTO, Calif., March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ: AVGO) today announced that Audi’s Edge Cloud 4 Production (EC4P) initiative, powered by VMware Cloud software, is now live with the first virtual programmable logic controller (vPLC) at the Boellinger Hoefe plant in Germany where Audi manufactures the electric Audi e-tron GT car. As part of the EC4P initiative, the VMware Cloud Foundation® (VCF) private cloud platform helps Audi centralize the management and maintenance of dedicated industrial PC devices located on the factory floor, simplify security patching and risk management, and reduce environmental impact through the use of less hardware and fewer manual operations.

With EC4P, Audi is delivering smart manufacturing by bringing software-defined factory automation to the shop floor and bridging the gap between IT and OT. The initiative includes close partnership between key technology partners including Broadcom, Cisco and Siemens. ​​

“The use of virtual programmable logic controllers in the body shop is an important productivity leap in our 360factory strategy for efficient and data-driven manufacturing,” said Audi Board Member for Production Gerd Walker. “We want to bring the local cloud for production to all plants and leverage advances in digital control systems in the process.”

“The collaboration between Audi and Broadcom is core to building a manufacturing future that is more efficient, cost-effective and secure,” said Sven Müller, project lead for EC4P at Audi. “Through our work together, we're setting new standards for precision, customization, and environmental sustainability. EC4P will reduce our hardware footprint, replacing thousands of decentralized industrial PCs with a more efficient, scalable and flexible architecture of local edge servers that unites the cloud and the edge on the shop floor.”

Transforming IT-based Factory Automation with a Private Cloud Platform

Audi deployed VMware Cloud Foundation to create a private cloud environment outside of the Boellinger Hoefe manufacturing plant where critical shop floor workloads are hosted and managed centrally. Some examples include:

• Virtual Worker Stations (Virtual Desktops): Instead of maintaining physical industrial PCs for running thousands of “worker stations” across the factory, these can now be run as virtual machines (VM) on VMware Cloud Foundation outside of the actual plant. Software and operating system updates can be done as a parallel operation instead of forcing them into the short shift changeover times. If a worker station VM has issues, it can quickly be replaced remotely.

• Virtual Programmable Logic Controllers (vPLCs): Virtual Programmable Logic Controllers (vPLCs) are used to control robots that manufacture different parts of the cars. A vPLC workload can be installed as a VM or even container and be managed similarly to IT-based cloud infrastructure. Configuration updates, security patches and feature updates can be made from Audi’s private cloud.
  

Building on EC4P, upcoming use cases may include AI-driven production, data analytics and computer vision applications for Audi. With VMware Cloud Foundation, Audi aims to achieve the following benefits at Boellinger Hoefe:

• Infrastructure standardization through one private cloud platform for all applications on the shop floor.
• Faster updates and deployments through improved efficiency with faster application deployment, automated updates and maintenance.
• Better agility and scalability through cloud infrastructure that makes it easier and faster to reconfigure a production line to accommodate a product mix change, and scale compute and storage infrastructure easily and independently.
• Reduced costs through a smaller hardware footprint, less hardware maintenance, and centralized software and operating system updates.
• Lower environmental impact through a smaller hardware footprint that generates less heat, consumes less power, and results in less e-waste.
• Enhanced security and resilience through automated and centralized patching at scale and use of immutable snapshots in the event of an attack or breach enable fast roll back to the last known good state, minimizing interruption to the production line.
• Less downtime through intelligent workload and network telemetry can proactively flag, diagnose and remediate issues and automated updates during planned maintenance windows.
  

“As Audi seeks to take factory automation to the next level and benefit from a scalable infrastructure at its factories worldwide, VMware Cloud Foundation will enable the replacement of industrial PCs and specialty hardware on the shop floor with general purpose servers running consistent VMware cloud infrastructure software,” said Paul Turner, vice president of products, VMware Cloud Foundation Division at Broadcom. “VCF provides a consistent and scalable way for Audi to operate a distributed edge infrastructure, manage resources more efficiently, and lower operations costs. Ultimately, VCF will help Audi increase factory uptime, agility, and the speed of rolling out new applications and tools across the production line.”

About Broadcom

Broadcom Inc. (Nasdaq: AVGO) is a global technology leader that designs, develops, and supplies a broad range of semiconductor, enterprise software and security solutions. Broadcom's category-leading product portfolio serves critical markets including cloud, data center, networking, broadband, wireless, storage, industrial, and enterprise software. Our solutions include service provider and enterprise networking and storage, mobile device and broadband connectivity, mainframe, cybersecurity, and private and hybrid cloud infrastructure. Broadcom is a Delaware corporation headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif. For more information, go to broadcom.com.

Media Contacts
Roger T. Fortier
VCF Division, Broadcom
roger.fortier@broadcom.com

Pauline Chay
EMEA Communications, Broadcom
pauline.chay@broadcom.com

FAQ

What is the main benefit of Broadcom's VMware Cloud Foundation for Audi's manufacturing?

VMware Cloud Foundation helps Audi centralize management of factory devices, reduce hardware costs, and improve operational efficiency by replacing thousands of industrial PCs with local edge servers.

How does AVGO's EC4P initiative impact Audi's manufacturing sustainability?

The initiative reduces environmental impact through a smaller hardware footprint, less power consumption, reduced heat generation, and decreased e-waste production.

What security improvements does AVGO's VMware Cloud Foundation bring to Audi?

It provides automated centralized patching at scale and immutable snapshots for quick recovery in case of breaches, minimizing production line interruptions.

Where is AVGO's first virtual PLC implementation for Audi located?

The first virtual PLC is implemented at Audi's Boellinger Hoefe plant in Germany, where the electric Audi e-tron GT is manufactured.

What future applications are planned for AVGO's EC4P initiative at Audi?

Future applications include AI-driven production, data analytics, and computer vision applications for manufacturing operations.