The National Centre for Industry 4.0, in collaboration with CzechInvest, hosted the sixth edition of the Roadshow dedicated to the digitalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the South Bohemia region. This year marked the first time the event took place at the Faculty of Agriculture and Technology at the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice.
The theme of the event, "Digital Tools for Effective Manufacturing," explored how modern technologies are transforming productivity, efficiency, and quality in Czech businesses. Participants from various manufacturing companies gathered to discuss advancements in areas such as digital twins, CNC robotics, artificial intelligence, and modern production management systems.
Keynote speakers included Robert Keil from the National Centre for Industry 4.0, Lucie Tomandlová from CzechInvest, and Doc. RNDr. Petr Bartoš, Ph.D., from the university, who opened the event. Throughout the day, experts from companies like dataPartner, Siemens, SinuCraft, Arkance Systems, AI-MATTERS, Atos, Pharis, Axiom Tech, MotionTrex, and Aplis shared insights into the current state of digital manufacturing.
One of the highlights was Michal Čupera from dataPartner, who introduced the Patriot® tool for digital production management, providing real-time insights into manufacturing processes. Adam Koncer from Siemens and Jiří Samek from SinuCraft emphasized that modern CNC robotics is now a standard component of digital manufacturing, rather than a futuristic concept.
Lucie Tomandlová remarked on the significance of bringing the Roadshow to South Bohemia, noting the strong demand for innovation in the region, as evidenced by the high attendance at the conference. The event also featured discussions on how digital twins and simulations can help companies test processes before implementation, presented by Jiří Šeda from Arkance Systems.
Ondřej Beránek from AI-MATTERS discussed how SMEs can experiment with AI in real operations with minimal risk, while Jiří Bavor from Atos showcased specific AI tools designed for effective manufacturing. The event concluded with a panel discussion addressing the real challenges of digitalization, investment returns in AI and robotics, and the importance of collaboration between academia and industry for technological advancement.
Robert Keil highlighted that digital technologies offer tangible benefits to companies, including increased efficiency, reduced error rates, and savings in time and energy. The Roadshow aimed to demonstrate that digitalization is not a distant ideal but a practical solution that can elevate even smaller enterprises.
The event underscored the ongoing commitment to fostering partnerships between academic institutions and the industrial sector, ensuring that research and innovation continue to drive progress in the Czech manufacturing landscape.
For more information, visit National Centre for Industry 4.0.