Tech Roadmap: Smart Factory Technologies (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.

Table of contents

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

Table of figures

Figure 1. Smart factory Tech Roadmap technology solution groupings
Figure 2. Tech Roadmap for smart factory technologies

Organisations mentioned

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 Digital, 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

Analyst
Henry is an Analyst in the Verdantix Operational Excellence practice. His current research agenda focuses on connected worker solutions, technologies for industrial asset maintenance, and the industrial applications of AI, including generative AI and computer vision. Prior to joining Verdantix, Henry completed a Masters degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Exeter.

Josh Graessle

Analyst
Josh is a Senior Analyst in the Verdantix Operational Excellence practice. Prior to joining Verdantix, Josh worked at Volvo Group, where he gained experience in factory support and implementation of industrial systems, industrial internet of things, digitalization, and data analytics. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering, as well as an MBA from the University of Delaware.

Lucas Sala

Analyst
Lucas Sala is an Analyst in the Verdantix Operational Excellence Team. His area of focus is analytical decision-making tools. Prior to joining Verdantix, Lucas worked at the Center for Global Development, in the Sustainable Finance Team, as a research assistant. Lucas holds a BA in History, Politics and Economics from University College London (UCL), and an advanced diploma in Economics from Cambridge University.

Malavika Tohani

Research Director, Operational Excellence
Malavika leads the Verdantix Operational Excellence practice. Her current research agenda focuses on digital technologies for Operational Excellence including digital twins and software solutions for industrial risk and asset management. Malavika has over 15 years’ experience in research and strategy consulting. Malavika previously worked at Frost & Sullivan, managing and delivering advisory projects for clients involving expansion, acquisition, benchmarking and product development strategies. Malavika holds a MSc in Economics from Madras School of Economics.

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