Digital transformation in manufacturing is no longer optional—it is a decisive factor for staying competitive in a fast-moving global market. As industrial systems become more complex, software-driven automation, artificial intelligence, and digital twins are emerging as key enablers of the Smart Factory.

For quite some time, SmartFactory-KL knows that a central principle behind this transformation is the shift towards software-defined automation. Instead of focusing solely on machines, modern production environments are increasingly built around services. Machines provide skills, interact intelligently with one another, and cooperate seamlessly with humans through new human–machine interfaces. Artificial intelligence plays a crucial role in this evolution, making industrial systems more flexible, adaptive, and human-compatible.

To accelerate this development, open-source technologies are gaining importance. Open and modular software components allow industrial solutions to be transferred more quickly from research into real production environments. Initial industrial projects already demonstrate how open-source software can be successfully integrated into operational manufacturing systems.

One of the foundational technologies enabling this approach is the Digital Twin. By creating a complete digital representation of physical assets—such as machines—manufacturers can compare real behavior with theoretical models. This makes it possible to identify deviations early, optimize performance, and reduce downtime. During system integration and commissioning, the Digital Twin provides all relevant information for programming and configuration, significantly reducing manual effort and increasing flexibility.

Importantly, the journey toward a Smart Factory does not require a single, large transformation step. Instead, companies can start small—by preparing data, connecting machines, or integrating individual components—and gradually evolve their production systems. A future-oriented architecture serves as a roadmap, allowing manufacturers to enter the smart factory ecosystem at any point and scale their solutions over time.

At Hannover Messe 2026 the SmartFactory-KL proves, that through these technologies the Smart Factory is no longer a distant vision, but a practical and scalable reality—ready to support resilient, competitive, and future-proof industrial production.