NIO, a Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker, has partnered with Monolith, a British artificial intelligence (AI) software startup, to test and improve EV battery packs in real-time using NIO’s battery swap service in Europe. Testing will begin soon in five European markets, according to Monolith CEO Richard Ahlfeld. Monolith is also working to meet regulatory requirements to conduct the same tests in China, which could enable collaboration with other Chinese automakers.
Monolith already works with about 10 of the world’s top 20 automakers, including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Honda, to test EV batteries using machine learning algorithms. These algorithms aim to speed up battery development and help Western automakers catch up with new Chinese competitors. Frank Kindermann, NIO’s head of battery system for Europe, noted that 98 percent of its customers in five key European markets use the battery swap service.
This service allows NIO to test new batteries and check their health, performance, and durability at each battery swap, using Monolith’s AI algorithms to analyze the data. “NIO can essentially give you a prototype of a car early on and they keep testing and learning from what you’re doing,” Ahlfeld said. NIO currently has 56 battery swap stations in Europe, including 19 in Norway and 18 in Germany.
Nio’s AI-enhanced battery testing collaboration
In China, NIO operates 2,557 battery swap stations, including 859 located along highways. Besides the battery swap service, NIO’s vehicles support fast charging, similar to other regular EV models.
The company also has an extensive network of charging stations, with 2,388 supercharging stations in China offering 10,930 charging piles and 1,645 destination charging stations offering 12,700 charging piles. So far, 13 brands, including Geely, Jiyue, Polestar, and Hongqi, have announced their access to NIO’s charging network. The collaboration between NIO and Monolith aims to leverage Monolith’s AI capabilities to enhance the efficiency and reliability of NIO’s EV batteries.
With the application of real-time AI testing, NIO intends to improve battery longevity and performance, ultimately contributing to better vehicle reliability and customer satisfaction. By combining NIO’s expertise in battery performance with Monolith’s advanced laboratory capabilities, the companies aim to set new standards in battery monitoring, ensuring unparalleled efficiency and reinforcing NIO’s dedication to innovation and quality. Monolith’s deep-learning algorithms allow for automatic detection of battery issues, such as spontaneous discharge and thermal runaway, making it easier to analyze complex real-world data quickly.
This capability not only saves time and resources but also enhances battery safety. The partnership is expected to position NIO at the forefront of innovative battery solutions within the EV market, which is becoming increasingly competitive as more automakers transition to electric-powered vehicles.
