Title: Technical Brief – Factories of the Future: the contribution of ICT

Authors: Irati Markuerkiaga Olabe

Addresses: Azpikoerrota 2, 48270 Markina-Xemein, Spain

Abstract: Manufacturing is a significant component of Europe|s economy and is facing environmental as well as globalisation challenges. Furthermore, manufacturing is severely hit by the current economic downturn. In late 2008, the European Commission launched the Factories of the Future (FoF) initiative, as part of the European Economic Recovery Plan, with the aim to boost industrial activity and help European manufacturing overcome the crisis strengthened and more competitive. The R&D part of the Recovery Plan, relevant to FoF, is supported by two 7th Framework Programme themes, Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Matierials and Production Technologies (NMP) and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). This paper focuses on the outcomes of the 2010 call for proposals in ICT. [Received 27 February 2010; Revised 25 March 2010; Accepted 25 March 2010]

Keywords: ICT; intelligent manufacturing; competitiveness; EU 7th framework programme; R&D; European Union; research and development; information technology; communications technology; factories of the future; European manufacturing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMR.2010.033473

International Journal of Manufacturing Research, 2010 Vol.5 No.3, pp.387 - 391

Published online: 02 Jun 2010 *

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