The aim of the Digitalisation and Automation of Production Technologies specialisation domain is to strengthen the Industry 4.0 trend in key sectors of the Czech economy and contribute to their restructuring, to achieve a higher labour productivity and global competitiveness.
The domain is classified under the thematic area Advanced machines and technologies.
Why are digitalisation and automation of production technologies included under the RIS3 priorities?
- These are promising and intensively developing areas of microelectronics, optics and optoelectronics, digital technologies and artificial intelligence
- The transition to Industry 4.0 is a global trend that Czech firms cannot avoid
- There has been an increasing pressure to replace human labour with automation and robotics in production processes
- Demands for production accuracy, quality, production performance and reliability are increasing, all while reducing production costs.
- In order to maintain the Czech Republic’s competitiveness, it is necessary to make products with higher added value, which cannot be done without innovation.
Application sectors in the thematic area
The thematic area Advanced machines and technologies comprises four application sectors:
- Mechanical engineering and mechatronics
- Energy
- Metallurgy
- Industrial chemistry
Strategic theme Research and Innovation in Application Sectors - Engineering and Mechatronics
Strategic theme Measurement, diagnostics, control, software and data processing for improved and new functions of engineering products
The research will focus on sensors, measurement systems, measurement techniques, signal evaluation technologies, diagnostics, and predictive diagnostics that will be increasingly important for innovation. It will also be necessary to improve systems for in-process and post-process measurement of production results using data for further optimisation. Advanced control systems at all levels, including the development of software for engineering production and engineering products, will also be examined and subsequently applied. Machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques (agent-based systems, self-learning systems, human-machine interaction, neural networks, deep learning, genetic algorithms, software technologies, problem solving, decision making, planning, intelligent robots, virtual agents, distributed systems, etc.) can also be used in engineering. Research will also focus on exploiting the potential of cloud computing and data storage.
Strategic theme Automation, robotics and digitalisation of manufacturing and Cyber-physical systems for engineering
The research topics will focus on advanced robotics, automation for batch and piece production, digitalisation of manufacturing for monitoring, control, optimisation and individualisation of production. Applications can be found in new industrial fields such as space, medicine, agriculture, construction, nuclear energy, chemistry, and rescue work. Research on the miniaturisation of mechanical robots for applications in the micro- and nano-world can also bring significant innovations.
A large space for research is also associated with the issue of interconnection of virtual cyber and real environments in the conditions of engineering production and for more productive use of engineering equipment and products. Related to this are the themes of virtualisation of products and entire production systems for the development phase and for the phase of product use (mathematical models of machines, tools and technologies including control and process, Process Machine Interactions, cyber-physical forms of products created from scratch, digital twins, optimization techniques, methods of model reduction, etc.).
Strategic themes for research and innovation in application sectors - Energy sector
Strategic theme Modern information and communication technologies in the energy sector
Research and development will focus on the areas of advanced sensors, the development of tools for big data processing, advanced analytics for decision-making and process control, the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence, the development of the Internet of Things, digital twins, blockchain technologies, etc. in the energy sector. Applying the results of such research can bring major innovations and contribute to the transformation of the entire sector.
Strategic theme Digitalisation and automation in energy production, transmission and distribution, energy storage, to promote energy savings, achieve more efficient use of energy in transport, and for integrated energy solutions
The development of specific solutions in energy generation, energy transmission and distribution, energy storage, to promote energy savings, to achieve more efficient use of energy in transport, and to develop integrated solutions in the energy sector will be supported.
Strategic theme for research and innovation in application sectors - Industrial Chemistry
Strategic theme Applying the Industry 4.0 concept in the chemical Industry
Research topics will focus on operational and computer security in the context of digitalisation and automation of production and the implementation of the Industry 4.0 concept in the chemical industry.
Key enabling technologies in the Digitalisation and Automation of Production Technologies domain
In this domain, the following key enabling technologies are particularly applicable. Each of them can be used to innovate in all application sectors belonging to this domain, but also in other areas.
The specific research and innovation themes for key enabling technologies in this domain can be found in Annex 1 to the National RIS3.
More detailed general information on key enabling technologies can be found here.
Themes concerning social sciences, humanities and arts under the Digitalisation and Automation of Production Technologies domain
The following SSHA themes will be explored and developed in this domain:
- Research on the interrelationships between society, technology and innovation
- Addressing 21st century societal challenges associated with emerging technologies
- Conditions/barriers to the application of innovative technologies and practices
More detailed general information on the themes of social sciences, humanities and arts can be found here.
National Innovation Platform Advanced machinery and technologies
National Innovation Platforms are working groups where the entrepreneurial discovery process (EDP) is put into practice.
The domain of Digitalisation and automation of production technologies is the subject of discussions in the National Innovation Platform I - Advanced Machinery and Technologies, where representatives of business, research and public spheres meet; this is known as the Triple Helix model.
Contacts:
Professional guarantor of National Innovation Platform I - Advanced machinery and technologies: Jan Smolík, Czech Technical University in Prague, j.smolik@rcmt.cvut.cz
Secretary of National Innovation Platform I - Advanced machinery and technologies: Lenka Paříková, MIT CR, parikova@mpo.cz
