The article highlights the digital transformation of Ashok Leyland, a 77-year-old commercial vehicle manufacturer in India. The company has successfully integrated artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and data analytics into its manufacturing processes, creating a digital nervous system that enables real-time decision-making and quality control.
At the heart of this transformation is Hubble.ai, a layered intelligence platform designed in-house to fit the company’s specific needs. Hubble.ai comprises various AI modules, including predictive models, recommendation engines, computer vision, and natural language processing, which work together to analyze data from machines, sensors, and other sources.
The system has enabled Ashok Leyland to achieve significant improvements in efficiency, quality, and customer experience. For instance, the company has implemented a Manufacturing Process Assurance System (M-PAS) that uses cameras and AI-powered vision models to detect errors in real-time, halting the production line if necessary. This has led to a significant reduction in defects and improvement in overall quality.
Ashok Leyland has also extended its digital transformation beyond the factory gate, with platforms such as iALERT, a connected vehicle platform that provides real-time telemetry data, and Service Mandi, a digital platform that connects vehicle owners with trained mechanics and service providers. The company has also launched a spare parts marketplace, Leykart, which uses AI to guide customers and distributors towards the right parts.
The article notes that Ashok Leyland’s digital transformation is not just about adopting new technologies but about redefining what it means to be a manufacturer. The company is moving towards a more resilient, human-centered, and intelligent manufacturing system, where machines and humans work together seamlessly.
The next wave of transformation is already underway, with the company investing in autonomous workflows, generative AI, and human-machine collaboration. Ashok Leyland is also launching a Citizen Data Scientist program to train employees in AI and data analytics, enabling them to shape the application of intelligence in their work.
Overall, the article presents a compelling case study of how a legacy manufacturer can transform itself through digital technologies, creating a more efficient, quality-focused, and customer-centric organization. The transformation has not only improved Ashok Leyland’s operations but has also redefined the company’s mission and purpose, extending its impact beyond the factory gate to create a smarter, more resilient industrial ecosystem in India.