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
COMSOL, Markforged, KUKA, Creality, Seeq, Amazon Robotics, IonQ, Kodak, Plastoform, Accenture, Leo AI, Eptura, BCN3D Technologies, Yaskawa Motoman, IFS Ultimo, MakerGear, Meta, Milvus Robotics, Zerynth, HighByte, Dell, Fetch Robotics, Sage, ABB, Particle, Doosan Robotics, Universal Robots, Falkonry, Rockwell Automation, BlackRock, Facebook, Microsoft, ELEGOO, MathWorks, Litmus Automation, Sewio, Inpixon, Claroty, Cognite, Blynk, PIXO VR, 3GPP, COPA-DATA, Optimum Energy, eMaint, Hiden Analytical, BMW, Flutura, Franka Robotics, DNV , Epicor, FourJaw, ZEISS Microscopy, Epson, HighJump, ek robotics, International Organization for Standardization (IOS), Figure, Samotics, Techman Robot, Flashforge, Kawasaki, UltiMaker, Oracle, Swiss Steel Group, Phrozen Technology, LulzBot, Smarkia, Itus Digital, FEI Company, BuildASign, Hexagon, Hitachi Vantara, Altair, Google, Omron, STRIVR, FutureOn, Baker Hughes, Bentley Systems, MHS Global, Zebra Technologies, Schneider Electric, Waterfall Security, IFS, Zmorph, KITOV Systems, Trendminer, Overview.ai, Iconics, International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), Hitachi Energy, Pragma, METRON, HCL Technologies, Cosmo Tech, Blue Yonder, GE Vernova, immerse.io, dataPARC, Royal HaskoningDHV, Acumatica, QiO Technologies, Cisco, OpenAI, Ramco Systems, AnyLogic, Pulse, Dremel, SAP, EdgeConneX, Realwear, SCADAfence, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Darktrace, Parsec, Levatas, Epic Games, Unity Technologies, XoroSoft, VeChain, Fluke, Scope AR, Link Labs, Kongsberg Digital, mCloud Technologies, Samsung, SymphonyAI, Craftbot, Uptime AI, Birds.ai, TALESPIN REALITY LABS, OTTO Motors, Kinexon, Continental, Accruent, Mavenir, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Kaleris, Avanseus, Immersive Factory, TeamViewer, AspenTech, Zortrax, Ericsson, Infor, Centrica, Duke Energy, Geekplus, Augury, D-Wave Quantum, Capra Robotics, ANSYS, Ubisense, AVEVA, Nestlé, Manhattan Associates, Augmentir, iOFFICE, Verve Industrial, Pixaera, Dragos, Verizon, Boston Dynamics, IBM, viso.ai, ClearBlade, ePROMIS, GlobalFoundries, Nuvolo, C3 AI, Raise 3D Technologies, Cybertec, MPE, Builder 3D Printers, Qualcomm Technologies, Tofas, Siemens, INTAMSYS, Photocentric, Plutomen, SUS Corporation, Ada Mode, Peopoly, FANUC, Brightly, PTC, Ideagen DevonWay, WASP, Colgate-Palmolive, NVIDIA, Relimetrics, Critical Manufacturing, 3M, Forescout, Todeschini Mario (Todema), Weidmüller, DataProphet, Moore Nanotechnology Systems, Snapmaker, Nozomi Networks, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Dassault Systèmes, Tulip, Emerson, Fortinet, Honeywell, Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR), Vinsa, Aptean, BlueSkye Automation, VORON, Simio, Rethink Robotics, US National Nanotechnology Initiative, Fogwing, Nanophase Technologies Corporation, Move Robotic, SystemsLink, HTC, PwC, Plex, Trimble, Celona, MODIX MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES, Sinterit, Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association International (MESA International), AGILOX Services, Librestream
About the Authors
Henry Kirkman
Industry Analyst
Henry is an Industry Analyst in the Verdantix Industrial Transformation practice. His current research agenda focuses on connected worker solutions, technologies for indu…
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Josh Graessle
Senior Analyst
Josh is a Senior Analyst in the Verdantix Industrial Transformation practice. Prior to joining Verdantix, Josh worked at Volvo Group, where he gained experience in factory sup…
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Lucas Sala
Analyst
Lucas Sala is an Analyst in the Industrial Transformation practice. His area of focus is analytical decision-making tools. Prior to joining Verdantix, Lucas worked at the Cent…
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Malavika Tohani
Research Director, Industrial Transformation
Malavika leads the Verdantix Industrial Transformation practice. Her current research agenda focuses on digital technologies for Operational Excellence including digital twins…
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