Background

In modern automotive and EV production, precision doesn't stop at the assembly line. The final phase—Packaging & Shipping—is equally critical, ensuring that high-value vehicles and components are protected, compliant, and correctly labeled before leaving the plant. Even minor oversights during this stage can lead to costly logistics issues, customer dissatisfaction, and damaged brand reputation.

NorrSpect, a Swedish AI pioneer based in Umeå, has developed NorrStudio to bring intelligence and automation to quality control—extending into the packaging domain for some of the world’s leading manufacturers, including Volvo Cars.

Challenges in Packaging & Shipping

Despite lean processes and highly trained teams, manual inspection of packaging steps still suffers from:

• Human fatigue & oversight during long shifts

• Non-standardized errors across global suppliers

• Lack of traceability for post-shipping defects

• Missed defects due to poor lighting or visibility

Common packaging defects include:

• Missing protective covers on sensitive zones

• Incorrect or incomplete checklist labeling

• Improper vehicle wrapping risking surface damage

• Unreadable or missing barcodes on shipping documents

• Torn foam/film packaging due to incorrect fit

• Misplaced transport straps, risking movement in transit

NorrStudio: AI-Driven Inspection

NorrStudio was deployed to solve this challenge through real-time, camera-based AI inspection of final packaging areas. It was integrated directly into the packaging stations with minimal disruption.

System Highlights:

• Computer Vision to identify packaging materials, labels, straps, wraps, and barcodes

• Semantic segmentation to detect positioning accuracy of transport straps and covers

• OCR (Optical Character Recognition) for real-time barcode and document validation

• Custom rule logic for packaging compliance based on vehicle model or customer region

• Image archiving for each unit inspected, enabling audit trails and traceability

Quantifiable Outcomes

Within 6 weeks of deployment at pilot sites:

• 92% reduction in outbound packaging defects

• 100% barcode compliance for shipping documentation

• Standardized wrap & strap positioning, verified across shifts

• Saved 18 hours/week in manual checklist verification

• Visual proof-of-quality archived for 100% of outgoing units

Why NorrSpect?

NorrSpect is a trusted AI partner to global automotive leaders. With a foundation in Sweden’s deep industrial heritage and a passion for smart manufacturing, NorrSpect’s AI inspection platforms are already shaping the future of zero-defect delivery.