News

July 6, 2026

Newly awarded research and development programme SMARTFACT: Emerging technologies for smart factories

The Jožef Stefan Institute, as the lead partner, has secured the SMARTFACT programme, bringing research organisations and industrial companies together to develop more efficient, flexible and sustainable manufacturing.

SMARTFACT integrates artificial intelligence, robotics, machine vision, and laser and plasma technologies.

• 17 partners from research and industry

• 4 interconnected thematic pillars

• Development and demonstration from TRL 3 to TRL 6

The consortium comprises 17 partners: the Jožef Stefan Institute, the University of Ljubljana Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Computer and Information Science and Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, the University of Maribor Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Rudolfovo, TECOS, Yaskawa Slovenia, Metronik, Gorenje, SICK, INEA, Adria Mobil, RETTRO, Fotona, Elvez and Keko Equipment. Research teams, system integrators and end users will jointly develop and validate solutions in real industrial environments.

The programme is structured around four thematic pillars: AI-supported process control, robotics of the future, laser processing for electronics, and plasma technologies. Activities will progress from industrial research at TRL 3-4 to prototype development and demonstrations at TRL 5-6.

The aim of the programme is to develop technologies for smarter, more flexible and more efficient manufacturing through the use of artificial intelligence, process control, robotics, and laser and plasma technologies. The programme’s outcomes will include new methods, algorithms and industry-proven prototypes for process monitoring, optimisation and automation, quality control, and the more efficient use of energy and materials.

The programme is co-funded under the public call JR RR PROGRAMI (TRL 3–6). The total value of the programme is 14.691.133,33 EUR, of which the European Union is contributing 8.832.720,83, or 60% of the total value.