Bosch presented results from software-defined manufacturing project
Bosch Research presented findings from the publicly funded SDM4FZI project at Stuttgart Innovation Days. The project focused on developing flexible and modular production systems through software-defined manufacturing principles.
Robert Bosch GmbH's research division presented findings from the publicly funded SDM4FZI project (Software-defined manufacturing for the automotive and supplier industry) at the Stuttgart Innovation Days held on September 17–18, 2024.
The project, concluding on September 30, 2024, focused on the development and operation of flexible, modular production systems. Its aim is to enable economical manufacturing in volatile markets by utilizing software-defined methods. Bosch Research led the consortium in this collaborative project involving over 30 partners, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.
Over three years, the research team developed and showcased solutions that decouple production applications from hardware and infrastructure, akin to smartphone technology. This approach allows for the adaptation of production systems via software. Presented solutions included a reference model for digital twins and virtualized control technology, enabling machine control to shift from physical cabinets to edge cloud computing.
The results from the SDM4FZI project demonstrate potential for industrial application. Bosch intends to explore opportunities to bring SDM applications to market and implement them within its own production facilities in collaboration with its business units.