AI4Pro - AI-Based Process Management on CPS Systems

Current market demands on manufacturing companies not only increase the challenges facing production but also require transparent and optimized material flow and machining processes. However, the relevant physical processes are often—especially in SMEs—not adequately mapped digitally.

Data from cyber-physical systems (CPS) could provide a solution, but often only large volumes of raw measurement data are available, which are not directly suitable for analyzing or controlling processes or for forecasting future developments.

Artificial Intelligence Methods for Process Optimization

The AI4Pro research project aims to optimize spatially distributed processing steps in the manufacturing industry. The goal of AI4Pro is to develop directly applicable, AI-based tools and methods for physical production processes characterized by high variability and flexibility:

Physical Analytics: order-based and automated real-time analysis using CPS

Process Analytics: process analysis methods for process monitoring

Predictive Analytics: Derivation of forecasts

Prescriptive Analytics: Derivation of recommendations for action

The use of AI makes process relationships transparent to every individual employee

The goal of AI4Pro is to introduce an AI-based solution that enables even small and medium-sized enterprises to collect existing process data from warehousing, logistics, assembly, and other production areas, consolidate it, and process it using appropriate mathematical optimization methods and AI-supported analyses.

In a subsequent step, models of the process flows can then be created, which allow for real-time process optimization via inference and forecasting methods. With the development of AI-supported process analysis, highly specialized SMEs in particular can make their production significantly more efficient and turn the vision of a batch size of 1 into reality for manufacturing companies in the SME sector.

Human Knowledge and Artificial Intelligence  ̶  Hand in Hand!