I4MS 2015: Enhancing digital transformation in manufacturing SMEs
I4MS 2015 will explore the progress achieved by the I4MS initiative and the impact participation has had on SMEs.
To date I4MS has achieved over 80% industrial participation. An initial participation of 80 SMEs has now grown to 150 as momentum continues to build. Success is also evident with SME participation in projects leading to the adaption of new technologies and approaches. I4MS phase two will take this success further through additional projects supported by a budget of approximately EUR 35 Mn.
At I4MS 2015 participating SMEs will present their experiences, results achieved and impact made. They will explain how they have benefited and what the adaption of innovative ICT has meant for their business. European support does not just exist at EU level.
Action at regional level supported through programmes such as Smart Specialisation present the good opportunity to reach out to and involve the diverse landscape of European SMEs. At I4MS 2015 participants will be introduced to a new activity designed for such outreach – digital innovation competence centres – and an outlook towards the next stage of I4MS.
I4MS is a EUR 77 Mn initiative of the 'Factories of the Future' partnership designed to support the adaption of innovative ICT by SMEs. Through seven integrated projects in four key areas, I4MS brings manufacturing SMEs directly into research and innovation projects, introducing them to innovative technologies and supporting the adoption of such technologies.
3. EuRoC
WHAT WE ACHIEVED
HOW WE DID IT
HOW I4MS HELPED
HOW WE WILL TAKE IT FORWARD
Bruno Siciliano
CREATE – University of Naples Federico II
4. WHAT WE ACHIEVED
I4MS 2015: Enhancing Digital Transformation in Manufacturing SMEs · 22nd of May · Brussels
● Three industry-relevant challenges were launched in April 2014 with open
calls for Challengers, Technology Developers, System Integrators and End
Users
● Each of the challenges is divided into three stages of increasing complexity
● The project will end in December 2017 with one EuRoC winner team
Reconfigurable Interactive
Manufacturing Cell
Shop Floor Logistics
and Manipulation
Plant Inspection
and Servicing
5. HOW WE DID IT
I4MS 2015: Enhancing Digital Transformation in Manufacturing SMEs · 22nd of May · Brussels
● Each challenge involves whole manufacturing supply chains within their
field, while favouring technology transfer from academia to industry
● All registered Challengers from each challenge undergo benchmarking
exercises in the form of a Simulation Contest during Stage I: Qualifying
● Selected Challengers from each challenge team up with partners from the
industry and share existing resources at three top European platforms in
Stage II: Realistic Labs
● In Stage III: Field Tests, Challenger teams must ensure sustainability and
adaptability to end users
Cumulative sum of € 7 M grant money available to the Challengers
6. HOW WE DID IT
I4MS 2015: Enhancing Digital Transformation in Manufacturing SMEs · 22nd of May · Brussels
7. HOW I4MS HELPED
I4MS 2015: Enhancing Digital Transformation in Manufacturing SMEs · 22nd of May · Brussels
● Challengers — Research Organizations, companies or even private persons
● End Users (EUs) — Manufacturing companies who can provide use cases for the
Challenger teams
● Technology Developers (TDs) — Companies or research organizations developing
innovative technologies and looking for an application of their technology in the industrial
robotics domain
● System Integrators (SIs) — Companies that specialize in either bringing together robotic
components/subsystems or developing and commissioning whole robotic systems
● Campaigns for promotion of challenge program
● Publication of Call Announcement on EuRoC website
● Presentations at relevant networking events
● Featuring of EuRoC in numerous relevant Challenge Bulletins
● LinkedIn advertising campaign
● Organization of EuRoC Info Days with presentations (including from I4MS) and Q&A
● Dissemination through I4MS by newsletters and webinars
8. HOW WE WILL TAKE IT FORWARD
I4MS 2015: Enhancing Digital Transformation in Manufacturing SMEs · 22nd of May · Brussels
Challenge 1 Challenge 2 Challenge 3
2/11 SME EUs
6/8 SME SIs
Submitted proposals
1/12 SME EUs 8/14 SME EUs
1/1 SME TD
Admitted to Stage II
7 RTs + 6 EUs + 3 SIs
4 SME EUs
8 RTs + 5 EUs 8 RTs + 5 EUs
3 SME EUs
9. HOW WE WILL TAKE IT FORWARD
I4MS 2015: Enhancing Digital Transformation in Manufacturing SMEs · 22nd of May · Brussels
Topics of Experiments involving SMEs
● Challenge 1
● Cooperative, safe and reconfigurable robotic companions for CNC pallets load/unload stations
● Intelligent and safe robotic co-workers for automotive assembly operations
● Robotized coils winding for electric machines manufacturing industry
● Reconfigurable assembly cell for highly dexterous and intelligent operations
● Challenge 3
● Autonomous MAV-based inspection systems for large structures
● Inside/outside chimney and smoke pipe inspection via aerial robots
● Visual inspection systems for wind turbines via teleoperated MAVs