The launch of the Smart Manufacturing Living Laboratories project follows the successful launch of the Industry 4.0 demonstrator at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry in 2014.
The proposal is for the UK to create and utilise three regional Smart Manufacturing Living Laboratories. These will focus on developing and adopting smart manufacturing methods to improve productivity; simulate and promote smart manufacturing excellence in the UK and tackle the barriers to technology adoption; Training, education and professional engineering development for apprentices, students and professionals; and developing capability in automation, robotics and technology research, development and testing.
ESCO is looking to engage with other industry bodies to broaden industry support and with the Department for Business, Skills and Innovation (BIS) to help build the case for the matched funding support from government.
