Tech Roadmap: Smart Factory Technologies (2024)
22 Apr, 2024
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Executive Summary
This Tech Roadmap report clarifies the business value, pace of innovation and maturity phase of 25 smart factory technologies. Verdantix conducted a fact-based assessment of the maturity, innovation, future prospects and business value of each solution. Operations and facilities managers responsible for selecting technologies for manufacturing operations should use this report to identify the technologies that can add value. The technologies identified range from those in Research and Development, such as quantum computing, to Mature technologies, such as enterprise asset management (EAM) software and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Technology buyers can use the Tech Roadmap methodology to identify new technologies for pilot projects and to develop technology strategy plans. Risk-averse firms should focus on the potential of technologies with proven business value that are in the Growth or Maturity phases of the technology life cycle. Innovators and early adopters should take note of Launch phase technologies.
Introducing the Tech Roadmap analysis
Key questions answered by the Tech Roadmap analysis
Tech Roadmap analysis aligns with operational optimization and automation
Tech Roadmap for smart factory technologies
Defining the market for smart factory technologies
Methodology overview
Identifying the five market phases of technology maturity
Three technology life cycles differentiate business value
Technology adoption and success influence positioning
Pace of innovation determines the time to the next life cycle phase
Smart factory technologies in Phase 1: Research and Development
Nanotechnology for material enhancement and nano-scale machinery
Quantum computing for material science and engineering
Text to 3D generative AI design
Smart factory technologies in Phase 2: Launch
Augmented reality (AR) for remote assistance
Blockchain for supply chain
GenAI copilots
Operational technology (OT) cyber security
Virtual reality (VR) for training and simulations
5G and advanced connectivity
Smart factory technologies in Phase 3: Growth
Collaborative robots (cobots)
3D printing
Computer vision for quality and inspections
Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs)
Edge computing
Digital twins
Energy management software
Industrial DataOps
Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platforms
Manufacturing execution systems (MESs)
Production planning and scheduling software
Predictive maintenance software
Smart factory technologies in Phase 4: Maturity
Enterprise asset management (EAM) software
Real-time location systems (RTLS)
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems
Supply chain management (SCM) software
Key questions answered by the Tech Roadmap analysis
Tech Roadmap analysis aligns with operational optimization and automation
Tech Roadmap for smart factory technologies
Defining the market for smart factory technologies
Methodology overview
Identifying the five market phases of technology maturity
Three technology life cycles differentiate business value
Technology adoption and success influence positioning
Pace of innovation determines the time to the next life cycle phase
Smart factory technologies in Phase 1: Research and Development
Nanotechnology for material enhancement and nano-scale machinery
Quantum computing for material science and engineering
Text to 3D generative AI design
Smart factory technologies in Phase 2: Launch
Augmented reality (AR) for remote assistance
Blockchain for supply chain
GenAI copilots
Operational technology (OT) cyber security
Virtual reality (VR) for training and simulations
5G and advanced connectivity
Smart factory technologies in Phase 3: Growth
Collaborative robots (cobots)
3D printing
Computer vision for quality and inspections
Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs)
Edge computing
Digital twins
Energy management software
Industrial DataOps
Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platforms
Manufacturing execution systems (MESs)
Production planning and scheduling software
Predictive maintenance software
Smart factory technologies in Phase 4: Maturity
Enterprise asset management (EAM) software
Real-time location systems (RTLS)
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems
Supply chain management (SCM) software
Figure 1. Smart factory Tech Roadmap technology solution groupings
Figure 2. Tech Roadmap for smart factory technologies
Figure 2. Tech Roadmap for smart factory technologies
3GPP, 3M, ABB, Accenture, Accruent, Acumatica, Ada Mode, AGILOX Services, Altair, Amazon Robotics, Amazon Web Services (AWS), ANSYS, AnyLogic, Aptean, AspenTech, Augmentir, Augury, Avanseus, AVEVA, Baker Hughes, BCN3D Technologies, Bentley Systems, Birds.ai, BlackRock, Blue Yonder, BlueSkye Automation, Blynk, BMW, Boston Dynamics, Brightly, BuildASign, Builder 3D Printers, C3 AI, Capra Robotics, Celona, Centrica, Cisco, Claroty, ClearBlade, Cognite, Colgate-Palmolive, COMSOL, Continental, COPA-DATA, Cosmo Tech, Craftbot, Creality, Critical Manufacturing, Cybertec, Darktrace, Dassault Systèmes, dataPARC, DataProphet, Dell, DNV , Doosan Robotics, Dragos, Dremel, Duke Energy, D-Wave Quantum, EdgeConneX, ek robotics, ELEGOO, eMaint, Emerson, Epic Games, Epicor, ePROMIS, Epson, Eptura, Ericsson, Facebook, Falkonry, FANUC, FEI Company, Fetch Robotics, Figure, Flashforge, Fluke, Flutura, Fogwing, Forescout, Fortinet, FourJaw, Franka Robotics, FutureOn, GE Vernova, Geekplus, GlobalFoundries, Google, HCL Technologies, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Hexagon, Hiden Analytical, HighByte, HighJump, Hitachi Energy, Hitachi Vantara, Honeywell, HTC, IBM, Iconics, Ideagen DevonWay, IFS, IFS Ultimo, immerse.io, Immersive Factory, Infor, Inpixon, INTAMSYS, International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), International Organization for Standardization (IOS), iOFFICE, IonQ, Itus Digital, Kaleris, Kawasaki, Kinexon, KITOV Systems, Kodak, Kongsberg Digital, KUKA, Leo AI, Levatas, Librestream, Link Labs, Litmus Automation, LulzBot, MakerGear, Manhattan Associates, Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association International (MESA International), Markforged, MathWorks, Mavenir, mCloud Technologies, Meta, METRON, MHS Global, Microsoft, Milvus Robotics, Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR), MODIX MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES, Moore Nanotechnology Systems, Move Robotic, MPE, Nanophase Technologies Corporation, Nestlé, Nozomi Networks, Nuvolo, NVIDIA, Omron, OpenAI, Optimum Energy, Oracle, OTTO Motors, Overview.ai, Parsec, Particle, Peopoly, Photocentric, Phrozen Technology, Pixaera, PIXO VR, Plastoform, Plex, Plutomen, Pragma, PTC, Pulse, PwC, QiO Technologies, Qualcomm Technologies, Raise 3D Technologies, Ramco Systems, Realwear, Relimetrics, Rethink Robotics, Rockwell Automation, Royal HaskoningDHV, Sage, Samotics, Samsung, SAP, SCADAfence, Schneider Electric, Scope AR, Seeq, Sewio, Siemens, Simio, Sinterit, Smarkia, Snapmaker, STRIVR, SUS Corporation, Swiss Steel Group, SymphonyAI, SystemsLink, TALESPIN REALITY LABS, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), TeamViewer, Techman Robot, Todeschini Mario (Todema), Tofas, Trendminer, Trimble, Tulip, Ubisense, UltiMaker, Unity Technologies, Universal Robots, Uptime AI, US National Nanotechnology Initiative, VeChain, Verizon, Verve Industrial, Vinsa, viso.ai, VORON, WASP, Waterfall Security, Weidmüller, XoroSoft, Yaskawa Motoman, Zebra Technologies, ZEISS Microscopy, Zerynth, Zmorph, Zortrax
About the Authors
Henry Kirkman
Industry Analyst
Henry is an Industry Analyst at Verdantix. His current research agenda focuses on quality management, field service management and industrial applications of AI, including Gen…
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Josh Graessle
Senior Analyst
Josh is a Senior Analyst at Verdantix, covering asset maintenance management, industrial engineering design and construction, and asset management services. He advises softwar…
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Lucas Sala
Analyst
Lucas is an Analyst at Verdantix, conducting research into the application of AI in industrial operations, focusing on GenAI copilots, predictive analytics and digital twins. …
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Malavika Tohani
Research Director
Malavika is a Research Director at Verdantix, guiding research that explores how digital technologies and services are reshaping industrial operations to become safer, more ef…
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