From Advanced Robotics to Rapid Prototyping: 10 of the Varied Faces of Smart Manufacturing

What’s in a name? The nomenclature for manufacturing technology comes in many colors: advanced manufacturing, smart factories, the digital plant, Industry 4.0. The term Industry 4.0 comes from a German government program announced in 2011 that is designed to encourage manufacturers to digitize manufacturing in order to improve Germany’s global competitiveness. In 2015, China launched “Made in China 2025,” an effort to advance its manufacturing technology, again for competitiveness.

In the US, smart manufacturing is viewed as a collection of emerging technologies based on digital communication and high-powered computer processing. Software is the key. The following slides walk you through manufacturing technologies that are all quite smart.
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Country’s First Humanoid Robot

The Kerala State Police claims to have created history by becoming one of the world's first and the very first police force in the country to induct humanoid robots. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan formally introduced the humanoid robot into the state police force at the State Police Headquarters. As a police force that has pioneered the integration of technology, it was only natural that Kerala Police developed and introduced the humanoid robot called 'KP-Bot,' Abraham said. KP-Bot is designed to provide round-the-clock service, involving public interface and front office administration and overcome human limitations to avoid, to the extent possible, human error. However, it does not replace any human resources. Rather, it would act as the first contact point and a data collection tool to help improve the overall quality of service and performance levels. DUTIES ASSIGNED : The major ‘duties’ assigned to the KP-Bot are: 1) Meet and greet officers t...

This local advanced manufacturing training center now running in full gear

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