The SmartPro network currently includes around 50 partners from business and research. Through five projects, they are planning to develop innovative methods for production in Industry 4.0. In the PreMo-Lib project, materials engineers and specialists in business informatics are conducting research into a cost-effective process for efficient mass production of lithium ion batteries with the aid of machine learning and predictive analytics. Battery technologies are regarded as a key requirement for the success of the energy transition.

The 3DGrin project is investigating economical production of gradient index lenses for augmented reality applications using 3D printing. The HEROD project is focusing on the optimal simulation model for additive production processes. The TRICLA project is concerned with simulation and modeling solutions for the development of stable lightweight components, and finally the SurfPlus project is investigating more efficient options for surface structuring of those parts using lasers.