The programme was selected under the JR RR PROGRAMI (TRL 3–6) public call, implemented by the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS).
The University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (UL FME), is participating in the SMARTFACT (Emerging Technologies for Smart Factories) research and development programme, which will bring together research organisations and industrial companies from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2029 to develop more efficient, flexible and sustainable manufacturing solutions.
UL FME in a consortium of 17 partners
SMARTFACT brings together 17 research and industrial partners: the Jožef Stefan Institute; the University of Ljubljana – Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Computer and Information Science, and Faculty of Mechanical Engineering; the University of Maribor – Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; Rudolfovo – Science and Technology Centre Novo mesto; TECOS; Yaskawa Slovenija; Metronik; Gorenje; SICK; INEA; Adria Mobil; RETTRO; Fotona; Elvez; and Keko oprema.
Research groups, system integrators and end users will jointly develop solutions and validate them in laboratory and real-world industrial environments.
From artificial intelligence and robotics to laser and plasma technologies
The programme is structured around four thematic pillars: AI-based manufacturing process control, robotics of the future, laser processing for electronics, and plasma technologies. Activities will range from industrial research at TRL 3–4 to prototype development and demonstrations at TRL 5–6.
Planned outcomes include self-learning systems for monitoring manufacturing processes, energy-efficient production planning, automated quality control using computer vision, adaptive robotic systems, automatically optimised laser micro- and nanoprocessing, and thermochromic sensors for monitoring the temperature history of food products. These solutions will contribute to greater productivity, quality and energy efficiency, while strengthening the international competitiveness of Slovenian industry.
Expertise of four UL FME laboratories
UL FME will participate in SMARTFACT through four laboratories, bringing together expertise in smart manufacturing, robotics, laser sources, and sensing and processing systems.
Laboratory for Handling, Assembly and Pneumatics LASIM will develop data-driven and adaptive control of manufacturing processes and systems, digital twins, and artificial intelligence algorithms for optimising polymer injection moulding.
Laboratory for photonics and laser systems FOLAS will develop dedicated fibre laser sources, high-precision laser beam control, and laser micro- and nanoprocessing techniques for electronics.
Laboratory for laser techniques LASTEH will develop advanced sensing systems for the rapid configuration of industrial robots and intelligent robotic laser systems integrating 3D, acoustic and multispectral sensing, real-time process monitoring, and adaptive robot control.
Laboratory for Mechatronics, Production Systems and Automation LAMPA will contribute expertise in artificial intelligence, human–robot collaboration, multi-robot systems, and robotic manipulation of flexible objects.
SMARTFACT thus brings together artificial intelligence, robotics, computer vision, and laser and plasma technologies, contributing to greater productivity, quality and energy efficiency while strengthening the international competitiveness of Slovenian industry.
The total value of the SMARTFACT programme is EUR 14,691,133.22, of which EUR 8,832,720.83 is contributed by the European Regional Development Fund. The programme is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the European Cohesion Policy Programme 2021–2027.
More information on European Cohesion Policy is available on the evropskasredstva.si
