Tech innovations have always played a significant role in the manufacturing sector. They’re necessary in a fast-paced market, especially when faced with changing customer demands.

Industry 4.0 now relies on certain digital technologies to realize manufacturing needs. Chief Innovation Officers and Chief R&D Officers need to realize the following benefits of progressive tech innovations to create success.

Enhanced Efficiencies

Successful manufacturing depends on efficiency. Consequently, tech innovations that provide improvements in operations are attractive solutions. Fortunately, AI-powered analytics and IoT-driven systems can provide real returns.

As an example, BMW uses automated image recognition to detect and correct production deviations in real-time before they pose a more significant problem. This significantly reduces waste, lowers costs, and increases productivity.

Error Reduction

Human error causes around 23% of unplanned downtime in the manufacturing sector. That’s higher than almost any other sector and inevitably leads to lost revenues.

Fortunately, AI can reduce downtime in several ways. First, AI can continually check for data patterns and anomalies that humans may overlook. Second, AI learns from previous errors. As a result, manufacturers can make more and better products quicker.

Customization & Rapid Responsiveness

Manufacturing is quickly moving from mass production to customization. This is in response to changing consumer preferences for tailored products.

Luckily, tech innovations can make it easier for manufacturers to offer agile, on-demand, or mass customized products, without sacrificing efficiency or increasing cost. This results in increased customer satisfaction, competitive advantage, increased profitability, and a stronger brand.

Useful technologies that enable customization and responsiveness are found through the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Big Data analytics. These provide real-time monitoring, the ability to swiftly adapt production lines, and data-driven insights to further streamline processes.

Other solutions may be 3D printing to create complex, customized parts. As an example, Gilette offers a personalized razor by using 3D printing. Automation and robotics can also perform tasks consistently and precisely, but are easily reconfigured. Plus, non-stop work can increase production capacity.

Reduced Energy Consumption

Energy consumption is now a priority due to customer expectations and environmental regulations. Once again, tech innovations can play a leading role.

As an example, Stellantis represents 14 automotive brands in 30 countries. They use technological innovations to reduce waste in various ways.

First, they use a cloud-based platform to share and simulate construction layouts so all parties can interact with a “digital twin” of each manufacturing facility. Second, they use AI and vision systems so robots can adjust their trajectory and operations in real-time to avoid potential conflicts or impacts. Finally, they’ve utilized autonomous wheels instead of standard casters to boost efficiency, safety, and cost savings.

Higher Production

Tech innovations are also extremely helpful in production since they can streamline work processes and optimize resources. As a result, manufacturers can create better quality products, while eradicating issues systematically.

As an example, Siemens’ Digital Native Factory in Nanjing uses a digital twin of the entire factory to pre-emptively detect issues. Siemens reported their manufacturing capacity increased by 200% and productivity by 20%.

Greater Support for Humans

AI is becoming a useful tool employees can use to improve speed and precision and increase their productivity. It can also drive growth with manageable cost, while delivering greater value to customers.

Furthermore, workers using AI can enhance their decision-making, develop their expertise, and maximize their own potential. Microsoft suggests leaders are already on the lookout for technical AI talent, with hiring up 323% over the past eight years.

Clearly, AI can provide Chief Innovation Officers and Chief R&D Officers an additional tool that can shorten cycle times and increase productivity. Moreover, AI can also support a manufacturing workforce, not replace it.

Systematically Accessing Tech Innovations

Most Chief Innovation Officers and Chief R&D Officers have a clear idea of where they want to take their companies. However, sifting through the enormous number of innovations can be a daunting task.

Luckily, EarlyBirds offers simple and swift methods to identify promising technologies and talent. All provide the following benefits:

• Increased productivity
• Improved operational efficiency
• Enhanced competitiveness
• Connections to the best Subject Matter Experts and innovators available
• Simplified process

EarlyBirds Skill Identification Program

Our skill identification program offers potential solutions to organisation to find and retain the best in the current talent pool.

The program is overseen by veterans in the industry with a high level of credibility and expertise that benefits all parties. It also provides actionable data-driven recommendations fuelled by cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and predictive analytics.

EarlyBirds Innovation Ecosystem

Our award-winning Innovation Ecosystem allows both innovation and strategic thinking in all areas of a business, whatever the technical or business challenge or potential opportunity your organisation wants to explore.

With a data pool of over 5.0 million global innovations across many industries, it is possible that solutions already exist that address your organisation’s challenges. Alternatively, your organisation can list your challenges and request solutions from innovators.

EarlyBirds Ecosystem Maps

EarlyBirds’ Ecosystem Maps offer strategic value for decision-making. They empower leaders, because they provide a full picture of the possible technological advancements in specific domains. This allows leaders to make informed, forward-thinking decisions.

Each Ecosystem Map contains startups, scaleups, and mature companies involved in specific themes and sub-themes so organisations can plot a path towards innovation. The map also tracks numerous daily and historical news and media articles from across the world.

EarlyBirds Explorer Program

The Explorer Program is tailored towards those who need innovation as a service to supplement existing innovation programs, or to conduct innovation projects when required. It is designed to speed up the process of technological innovation for the organisation as a service.

The Explorer Program includes several features including quarterly and monthly innovation days; regular webinars to help stimulate innovation in the organisation; a focus on types of innovations; a platform enterprise license; and a nominated SME for the business.

EarlyBirds Challenger Program

The Challenger Program focuses on a single organisational or technical challenge. It looks for the most relevant innovators that meet your organisational, technical, and risk requirements.

The program is run by an EarlyBirds’ Subject Matter Expert who identifies your key issues. The SME then searches the data pool to identify and curate options for further evaluation. The most suitable option is chosen and the SME drafts a roadmap of next steps, POC, trial, or implementation.

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The best Chief Innovation Officers and Chief R&D Officers are always on the look out for outstanding tech innovations. If you are looking to find solutions to improve your organisation, please sign up as an Early Adopter. Alternatively, please request a consultation for a more personalized approach.

Our experience extends to the Food Industry, Retail, Healthcare, Operations & Maintenance, Manufacturing, Finance & Insurance, Energy, Education, Cybersecurity, Sovereign Nations, the Public Sector, and many other areas. We can help you find tech innovations for the manufacturing sector.

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