Responsiveness depends on flexibility and reconfigurability but all links in the value chain must be reconfigurable in order to have a responsive system. Each node of the value network requires different approach/tools/technologies to operate in a reconfigurable way. Therefore enablers both digital (Digital Twins, AI decision making) and physical (robotics, human robot collaboration means, reconfigurable equipment) need to be developed to support the value chain.

Manufacturing activities will always remain a cornerstone for EU prosperity and leaderhip must be retained or extended to all sectors. Innovative production systems with human centric characteristics allowing people to remain productive regardless of their age/gender/special condition will play an important role. Technologies to integrate human in a smart working environment where resources (e.g. robots) collaborate with each other and humans in a seamless way will have a great impact on the way Europe manufactures its goods.

Optimization needs to take place both horizontally (e,g, shopfloor control) and vertically (management of operations). Digital twins able to capture information from each level and process it for decisions making using AI are needed to simplify and make the orchestration more effective. 

Strengthen the traceability through novel approaches including AI - gathering information (directly and indirectly). Digital product passport and similar approaches for data management

Already significant results have been achieved in the field through advanced robotics solutions (high payload collaborative robots, exoskeletons, mobile robots etc). The challenge is to bring them to the final stage so that they can seamlessly work with (and for) humans with minimal efforts (both cognitive and physical) required on the operator side. Maturation of the technologies need to be followed by convincing demonstration of the technologies both in industrial and open pilot environments to achieve wide acceptance at the different organizational levels.

In parallel with the digitally enabled upskilling, ways to better include and immerse humans in social manufacturing environments are needed. Cognitive augmentation in different forms can allow humans to do more with less requirements on their side. Technology working for the humans to allow them to achieve greater impact.

This is of primary importance as it affects all levels of factory hierarchy. We are facing a paradigm shift with the introduction of advanced robots and AI and people need to be properly equipped with new skills and qualifications. Training through new technologies including VR/AR and concepts (such as the Teaching Factory) should become a new standard for both new and existing personnel in manufacturing.

Advanced production concepts are indeed needed as an outlook for the future however maturation seems to require far more time than the immediate actions needed to steer manufacturing technologies to keep up with current trends.