Inovations

Innovation Management (GGS)

This department is represented by InnoTeam, which is in charge of conceptual solutions for internal innovations at ŠKODA AUTO and strengthening the innovative mindset of employees. It brings inspiration and innovations, connects departments and employees across the company and measures indicators such as the Innovation Mindset Index (IMX). It finds out how employees approach to innovations and how they feel about participating in them. The next IMX survey will take place on 16 November. Some of the tools include the IdeaSpace portal, which engages employees in their search for inspiration and creation of ideas, and the InnoPOC Programme, which allows you to draw up to EUR 50,000 for ideas and technology verification by using the Proof of Concept (POC – simply put, testing the applicability of innovation in practice) method. The InnoToolbox programme has also been added (for more details, see ‘How to work effectively with an idea’ on the next page).

Examples of tools:

Innovative IdeaSpace portal, IMX, InnoDay, InnoToolBox, InnoPOC programme

Idea Management – eZEBRA 2.0 (SP/2)

It is responsible for managing employees’ suggestions for improvement. It assesses and approves ideas for improving the working environment, work safety, ergonomics and production flow, as well as suggestions for cost savings. It also rewards the authors of the ideas, either financially or in the form of material prizes (e.g. cars) in a raffle. In cooperation with expert departments, it organises targeted motivational events and campaigns that help to solve complex topics and bring new, innovative ideas. It also organises innovative breakfasts where interesting personalities present innovation topics and news from various fields and areas.

Examples of activities:

over 140,000 ideas implemented in 10 years, CZK 1.6 billion in savings, approximately 90 campaigns across the company, more than 70 innovative breakfasts since 2016

SVP – ŠKODA Verbesserungsprozess
(GGP + experts in each area)

The SVP Experts help to improve processes and optimise activities in the indirect area through cooperation across the company. They promote tools that reduce costs but increase efficiency and productivity. They also support and implement digitisation projects and streamline cumbersome and costly processes. And they provide support to employees who are experts in specific processes and need help to improve them. SVP has a positive effect on customers and cooperation throughout ŠKODA AUTO.

Some innovation examples: 

accommodation reservation system – ŠKODA Ubytovny Booking, digitisation of inventory, simplification of approval workflows, e-Shifts, digitisation of mandatory courses in Production, digitisation of analysis of competing cars, RPA

KVP – Kontinuierlicher Verbesserungsprozess

The Continuous Improvement Process seeks opportunities where small improvements eliminate waste and increase productivity in the direct area. The primary means is workshops of a specially assembled team, which are moderated by a technically trained employee. The motivation is the annual announcement of the best measure within the BEST KVP survey.

The best KVP measures: 

automatic cleaning of the roll when edging the side doors, prevention of collisions of robots and tailgates, monitoring non-conforming parts on the PXL2 press line and the distribution and shortening of the lower mandrel on the transfer fitting

Technical Development Innovations (EB/1)

It supports the development of product innovations that interest customers, as well as their implementation in ŠKODA cars. It includes the ININ Innovation Incubator, in which anyone from Technical Development can work on their idea with assistance from experts from various departments. The well-equipped workshops include 3D printers, among others, and they are very close to Česana. Members of the Incubator can also access training in innovation. Ideas, new functions and technologies that the carmaker is planning to gradually deploy in its cars are presented at the IVET Technical Development Innovation Fair, which takes place every autumn. 

Innovation examples: 

the illuminated Crystal Face grille on the ENYAQ or the illuminated seatbelt buckles

Digitisation and Industry 4.0 in Production (PPD)

It supports a wide range of innovative projects affecting the digitisation of production processes, the efficient use of production data, the introduction of new systems and technological solutions, including 3D plastic printing. It monitors and analyses the latest trends, helps colleagues from Production to implement their ideas and develop and deploy new digital and technological solutions. It also organises regular meetings between innovators in Production and Logistics.

Innovation examples: 

deployment of FIOT and dProduction projects, deployment of the DPP Group cloud platform, paperless production documentation, Power BI, AR/VR competence centre, 3D plastic printing in Production and Logistics

ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab

By seeking out innovations around the world and transferring them to ŠKODA AUTO, the DigiLab plays a special role in the carmaker’s innovation ecosystem. It is also responsible for the mobility strategy. In addition, it focuses on the digitisation and development of mobility services for customers. Thanks to an international network including Israel, China and India, it can search for and test hardware and software technologies in the areas of mobility, electromobility, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, HR and more. It operates the HoppyGo, BeRider and Uniqway services.

Innovation examples: 

Chakratec, a kinetic energy storage technology that enables fast charging, even in places where there is insufficient network power (pilot project with the Israeli startup Chakratec), and citymove, the first multimodal application to offer several modes of transport to users and at the same time allowing easy payment for parking in Prague’s blue zones