The transition to Industry 5.0 requires intelligent, flexible production systems that enable human-machine collaboration, AI-driven automation, and decentralised manufacturing. Additionally, rising energy costs and stricter sustainability regulations highlight the need for energy-efficient industrial solutions. The required real-time decisions to address these challenges face latency issues when using traditional cloud computing technologies.
Therefore, the project “NextGen Microfactories” focuses on integrating cloud-edge computing for smart, highly automated microfactories. By developing and testing mobile AI-driven robotics, industrial automation, and decentralised production, the project aims to improve manufacturing efficiency and sustainability, reducing reliance on non-European cloud service providers and contributing to the transition towards Industry 5.0.
A distinguishing feature of the project is the use of natural voice commands, allowing for more intuitive and seamless interaction with mobile robots, humanoids, and quadrupedal robots in conversational language. By processing speech recognition directly at the edge, robots can understand and respond to human instructions without relying on cloud-based services. This enhances usability, making robotic systems more accessible and efficient in various industrial and security applications.
The aspired microfactory model meets the growing preference for on-demand, localised manufacturing, reducing transportation costs and aligning with circular economy principles. The innovations achieved by the “NextGen Microfactories” project will thus help optimise production processes, reduce operational costs, and support the development of energy-efficient manufacturing ecosystems.