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Gallery: Deloitte Opens Wichita Smart Factory To Advance Manufacturing Of The Future

Molly McMillin June 07, 2022
The Smart Factory includes three wind trees.

Advancing The Future

Deloitte Consulting has launched a Smart Factory on the campus of Wichita State University aimed at helping manufacturers tackle production problems and transform their shop floors using an interactive combination of artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, cloud and edge applications, robotics and other technologies. Credit: Molly McMillin
The Welcome Center

A Digital Transformation

The Smart Factory's Welcome Center showcases how digitally integrating data using advanced technology can transform a production line and aid in decision making. Officials expect about 5,000 visitors from companies around the world over the next year to experience the concepts and interconnected systems. Credit: Deloitte Consulting
The manufacturing of tomorrow

Manufacturing Of Tomorrow

“Manufacturers must evolve in response to unprecedented levels of supply chain and workforce disruption by assessing their capacity and agility of their manufacturing operations,” says Dan Helfrich, Deloitte Consulting chair and CEO. Shown is the Smart Factory's Tomorrow room. Credit: Deloitte Consulting
The manufacturing floor features production metrics.

A Working Production Line

The factory includes a fully functioning production line with robots to help in manufacturing. Overhead, large digital displays track a number of analytics, such as productivity, material flow, downtime and other metrics. Credit: Molly McMillin
Robots and workers manufacture products

Robots & Workers

As part of the manufacturing process, workers and robots connect. "This isn't about replacing humans," says Nishita Henry, Deloitte Consulting chief information officer. "It's about augmenting. It's about helping and making sure we're creating the next generation of skills to keep production flowing at scale." Credit: Molly McMillin
Rover kits for STEM education in schools

Smart Rover Kits For STEM Education

To foster STEM education, The Smart Factory manufactures Smart Rover kits using Snap Circuits from Elenco, Raspberry Pi microcomputers and camera modules. The kits go out to middle school students around the U.S. to help them learn about product design, coding and engineering. So far, 1,000 kits have gone to students in Wichita, Metro Detroit and Philadelphia. As production increases, officials expect to donate 800,000 kits over the next four years. Credit: Molly McMillin
The factory builds the housing for the Rover kits.

Building Kits

The Smart Factory manufactures this 'smart housing" for the Smart Rover kit using 100% recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET). Credit: Molly McMillin
A Smart Barista

A Smart Barista

The Smart Factory includes a robotic barista that makes your coffee. Credit: Molly McMillin
A robot in the hallway

Is That A Robot In The Hall?

This yellow robot was part of a media tour of The Smart Factory. It sauntered off down the hallway. Credit: Molly McMillin

Manufacturing Metrics

The factory’s command center tracks a variety of real-time advanced analytics including cyber alerts, incoming orders, costs and other metrics. Credit: Deloitte Consulting
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Deloitte Consulting unveiled The Smart Factory @ Wichita aimed at advancing the future of manufacturing, spurring innovation and helping manufacturers as they transform to a digital future. The 60,000 sq. ft. facility is powered by a renewable energy smart grid and outfitted with three outdoor wind trees, solar equipment and smart lighting for a net-zero carbon impact. Deloitte brought together more than 20 organizations to work on the project. 

Molly McMillin

Molly McMillin, a 30-year aviation journalist, is managing editor of business aviation for the Aviation Week Network and editor-in-chief of The Weekly of Business Aviation, an Aviation Week market intelligence report.

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