New feature for the Battery Analyzer — The NOVUM Battery Test Center

With the NOVUM Battery Analyzer, used batteries can be tested quickly and easily within 90 seconds — an enormous time saving compared to conventional tests. In December 2024, a new feature will be added to the Battery Analyzer: the Battery Test Center. It includes a dashboard that significantly simplifies the reporting and controlling of test results and thus enables optimized handling. Philip Fuchs, Chief Operations Officer at NOVUM, provides initial insights into the functionalities, applications and added value.

Philip, you played a key role in the development of the Battery Test Center. Can you briefly explain what it is and what our Battery Analyzer customers can expect from December?

The Battery Test Center (BTC) uses the data obtained from our battery test benches to create a clear dashboard that NOVUM customers can access. All relevant information is bundled and displayed transparently on the dashboard, making it easy to read the ongoing tests, their results and progress. This simplifies controlling considerably and our customers can see at a glance how many batteries they test on average per day or how many tests they have already carried out in total. The classifications of the batteries by quality class can also be viewed, as can the current AI training status and the time saved by the quick tests.

Why was it so important to you to make it easier for our customers to handle their test data?

The battery market is currently in a phase of remanufacturing, 2nd-Life and the associated testing have moved beyond the pioneering phase. As a result, the issues facing our customers are changing. Whereas in the beginning it was mainly important to find batteries as quickly as possible, fixed process chains have now been established and automated. KPIs such as cycle numbers, handling times and the statistical distribution of battery states are becoming increasingly important. This is where the Battery Test Center comes in and simplifies the controlling of the test process. Project documentation is simplified and important key figures can be passed on to decision-makers immediately — simply, efficiently and transparently. Customers can track the progress of the test process in real time and no longer need to request reports — neither from NOVUM nor from their own employees.

Do you have a personal favorite new feature?

Clearly the automated calculation of time savings. Our customers have always known that they can save a lot of time by analyzing batteries with our battery analyzers in just 90 seconds instead of many hours. But now, for the first time, this time saving is really tangible. It’s a great feeling when you see at the end of the day that you’ve saved two weeks or in some cases even two months of time with the quick tests you’ve carried out. This makes testing fun not only for the direct users, but also for Controlling. My second favorite feature is the display of training progress for new batteries. We work with artificial intelligence, which trains itself independently for new battery types. In the new Battery Test Center, we are now making this process 100% transparent. In future, it will be possible to see at any time for which types of customer batteries rapid tests are already possible, where an AI training process is currently running and how many batteries are still required before this can be completed. This creates a significant increase in planning reliability.

It took over a year to develop the Battery Test Center. Was the long wait worth it?

I think so. Good things sometimes need a little time and, above all, a lot of feedback. That’s why we worked closely with our customers right from the start when developing the Battery Test Center, continuously gathering opinions and then incorporating them into our development. This was the only way we could ensure that the Battery Test Center really does make our customers’ work easier and is not just a pretty interface.

A changeover in the software always means a certain amount of change. What about the security of the data collected so far and in the future, and does the changeover of data interfaces affect our customers’ processes?

All interfaces remain just as usable as before. We have attached great importance to ensuring that nothing changes in our customers’ processes. Of course, this also applies to data security. Access is still personalized and protected, and all data is transmitted in encrypted form. In addition, our data centers are located in Germany and are ISO 27001 certified. Our technology is also compatible with all critical infrastructures and we generally do not store any personal data. Of course, our customers will continue to have full access to their collected test data. However, handling will be much easier in the future because the Battery Test Center prepares the data in a more intuitive and user-friendly way, enabling more effective handling. Now all it takes is a glance to record all relevant data directly.

What do customers have to do to be able to use the Battery Test Center in future?

It depends on how urgent you are and how curious you are. If you can wait until December, you don’t have to do anything. We will get in touch as soon as the Battery Test Center can be activated for our customers and then agree a release date individually. If you would like to have access earlier, you are welcome to take part in our final user tests in November. All you need to do is send an informal e‑mail to info@novum-engineering.com. New customers can use the Battery Test Center automatically right from the start.

About NOVUM:
NOVUM has played a key role in shaping battery technology since 2014 and has established itself as an innovation leader in the field of battery monitoring. With AI-based solutions, it is possible to operate batteries safely, prevent potential fires and test in seconds whether batteries are suitable for a second life. This is not only a real benefit for the energy transition, but also an indispensable contribution to the sustainability strategy of well-known customers such as Deutsche Bahn, Volkswagen and Jungheinrich. In the meantime, the company has not only been recognized as the best high-tech start-up in Europe, but has also received the Google Digital Energy Award, the Future Mobility Award and the Saxon Innovation Award 2023. 26 patents are now part of NOVUM’s portfolio. In 2024, the young high-tech company will be celebrating its 10th anniversary and is optimistic about the future.
About Mandy Schipke:
Mandy Schipke has been Managing Director of NOVUM engineering GmbH for 10 years, making her one of the few female managers in the energy sector. The sociology graduate has also been Chair of the Board of the Saxon energy network Energy Saxony for eight years, representing a total of 96 member companies from the renewable energy sector.

Contact

Sina Marie Lattek

Head of Marketing

s.lattek@novum-engineering.com

+49 (0) 351 481 896 72