Gallery: Deloitte Opens Wichita Smart Factory To Advance Manufacturing Of 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 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

“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 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

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

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

The Smart Factory includes a robotic barista that makes your coffee. Credit: Molly McMillin

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

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