What will manufacturing look like in the future? How will humans and machines communicate with each other? Will our work environment adapt to our needs?

In the factory of the future humans will have to come to terms with an increasing complexity of processes, machines and components. This will require new operating concepts for optimized human-machine interaction.

Nimble, adaptive and intelligent manufacturing processes will be the measurement of success. The combination of “virtual” and “real” in order to get a full view of the complete value chain will allow factories to produce products more rapidly, more efficiently and with greater return using fewer resources.

This White Paper will assess the potential worldwide needs, benefits, concepts and preconditions for the factory of the future. It identifies the business trends in related technologies and markets, as well as their impact on data, people, technologies and standards.

This White Paper was developed by the IEC Market Strategy Board (MSB) in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA.

This IEC White Paper is available for free download.