Better Factory
Grow your manufacturing business
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
AI-based support for humans in industrial production processes
OBJECTIVES
Better Factory brings together key players in the European technology, arts and innovation landscape to provide an integrated innovation framework and network across Europe. In doing so, it provides a standardized solution for manufacturing SMEs to develop and manufacture new and personalized products and build services around them. Better Factory invites small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMEs) to redesign their current product portfolio together with business and arts mentors and technology experts. Manufacturers can leverage disruptive product innovations that respond to new market demands while optimizing production resources.
INNOVATION & METHODOLOGY
For SMEs to produce new and personalized products in large volumes, traditional factories need to be transformed into lean and agile production facilities. Better Factory offers manufacturers an open and standardized Advance Production Planning and Scheduling (APPS) system for testing commercial tools regarding optimization of waste, energy, resources and logistics.
RAMP (Robotics Automation Marketplace) is a free and open IoT platform (FIWARE) running on state-of-the-art servers, with access to cloud storage and computing that enables connectivity with robots, sensors, cameras, AR/VR and other devices. RAMP includes a 3D simulation tool to create digital twins for virtual testing and a co-creation space for teams to collaborate online and deliver digital services.
OUR CONTRIBUTION
Gestalt Robotics is developing cognitive solutions for human-robot interaction based on an AI-based human monitoring system taking into account the GDPR. In particular, Gestalt will participate in the development and integration of APPS and the knowledge transfer program. Gestalt acts as a technology supplier in Better Factory. The core competence of Gestalt Robotics is the application of state-of-the-art technologies in the field of industrial automation and manufacturing. On this basis, extensive know-how on the applicability and integration of artificial intelligence technologies in the industrial environment has been built up in recent years. Thus, industry competencies in the field of production and mobility complement each other with competencies on new AI technologies, which enable clear customer benefits on the basis of innovation projects.
Key facts
Challenges
SMEs need to adapt their products
Artists and designers can help reinvent and redesign these products
APPS
Provides tools to reduce waste, scrap and wastage
Supports innovation in logistics
RAMP IoT Platform
Data Analytics and Benchmarking Tools
RAMP Marketplace plays a central role in knowledge transfer experiments
Individual Production
Using machines in advance planning
Supporting people individually
Optimize processes intelligently
PartnerS & CONSORTIUM
VTT (FIN)
Project coordinator, task lead for cyber security for manufacturing with IoT, planning for utilization and dissemination of results, regional point of contact in the Better Factory network, disseminating the Better Factory Open Call to support innovative SMEs in the ecosystem, providing content and testing RAMP marketplace services and tools
Fraunhofer IPA (GER)
FHG acts as a regional contact point in Germany and supports innovative SMEs in submitting qualified proposals according to the project objectives and knowledge transfer program, technological participation in the topics of AI and cognitive human-robot interaction, activities to disseminate the project results
European Dynamics (GRC)
European Dynamics is the core partner to extend the marketplace capabilities, ED will additionally lead the following tasks: Cloud infrastructure access, APPS architecture, experiment evaluation
AIMEN (ESP)
AIMEN acts as a contact point in Spain and supports innovative SMEs, participation in foreseen dissemination actions and in activities related to sustainability
SUPSI (CH)
SUPSI acts as Switzerland's point of contact, participating in dissemination and in activities related to sustainability, cognitive autonomous systems, artificial intelligence as a means of monitoring operational status and early detection of stress, collaboration between humans and cobots with a focus on employee well-being and system productivity
Funding
European Union
ProjeCt poster
Project poster (German) as printable PDF
This project is/was financed with funding provided by the European Union under the “Horizon 2020, Grant Agreement 951813” program. The author is responsible for the content of this publication.