Broadcom and Audi Collaborate to Launch IT-Based Factory Automation Using VMware Cloud

On March 27, 2025, Broadcom announced its collaboration with Audi to power the automaker's next-generation Edge Cloud 4 Production (EC4P) initiative using VMware Cloud Foundation. The system, now live at Audi’s Boellinger Hoefe plant in Germany, replaces traditional industrial PCs with a virtual infrastructure that reduces hardware needs and streamlines operations.

The EC4P platform enables centralized management of factory IT systems, including virtual worker stations and virtual programmable logic controllers (vPLCs). This shift allows faster software updates, increased agility, and enhanced security, while lowering energy use and reducing environmental impact.

Audi plans to expand EC4P across its global production facilities, with future use cases including AI-driven analytics and computer vision. The initiative marks a major step in Audi’s goal to unify IT and operational technologies for efficient, scalable, and sustainable manufacturing.