A new initiative to accelerate adoption of digital technologies like robotics, 3D printing and augmented reality in industry and reduce maintenance needs has been launched by the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).
Technology entrepreneur David Richards will chair the new Digital Meet Manufacturing Commission (DMMC) whose work aims to increase labour and resource productivity, enhance asset utilisation, and create more accurate forecasting as well as reduced maintenance and inventory costs and shorter time to market.
The commission will oversee the development of a new digital infrastructure – the AMRC Data Cloud – to give manufacturers access to “bleeding-edge” data tools and technologies to boost productivity, make informed decisions on carbon output, and drive economic and employment growth. A new data science academy is being launched to equip engineers with the latest methodologies to create ‘bilingual’ talent in the workforce – people who understand both data science and the inner workings of manufacturing.
The AMRC Data Cloud will enable manufacturers to take advantage of the data they generate from their operations and gain new insights with the potential to transform industrial processes, companies and industries. The cloud infrastructure will be created with support from world-leading software vendors including Databricks, Microsoft and WANdisco and will be ready for launch in the first half of the next financial year.
Training provider EyUp Skills will deliver a new data science programme to teach individuals about the latest machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques using the AMRC Data Cloud. The part-funded course will be available via day release or evening classes.
David Richards, chairman of the DMMC, said: “The AMRC Data Cloud will open up access to the most powerful computing capabilities in the world and unlock a new wave of industrial innovation in our factories.”
The commission includes Professor Rab Scott of the AMRC, Richard Wylie, EMEA director of cloud data specialist Azure Databricks, Tracey Johnson, general manager of Barnsley Digital Media Centre, Philippa Glover, managing director of robotics integrator CNC Robotics, Sam Chapman, chief innovation officer and co-founder of telematics data management provider The Floow, Mandy Ridyard, finance director and co-owner of precision engineer Produmax, Chris Dymond, co-founder and director of industry association Sheffield Digital, Helen Kemp, director of business and skills at South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, and Stuart Green, CEO of media globalisation specialist Zoo Digital.