The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ljubljana is participating in SMARTFACT (Emerging Technologies for Smart Factories), a research and development programme that will bring together research organisations and industrial companies from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2029 to develop more efficient, flexible and sustainable manufacturing processes.
The programme was selected through the public call JR RR PROGRAMI (TRL 3–6), implemented by the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS).
UL FME among 17 Consortium 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; Fotono; 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 primary objective of SMARTFACT is to develop and validate advanced technologies for smart factories in industrial environments. By applying artificial intelligence, machine learning, advanced sensing technologies, computer vision and modern process control methods, the programme will develop solutions for more effective monitoring, understanding, optimisation and automation of manufacturing processes. It also aims to accelerate the transfer of research results into industrial applications.
The programme is built around four key areas: AI-based manufacturing process control, next-generation robotics, laser processing for electronics, and plasma technologies. Activities will range from industrial research at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 3–4 to prototype development and demonstrations at TRL 5–6.
Planned outcomes include self-learning systems for manufacturing process monitoring, energy-efficient production planning, automated quality inspection using computer vision, adaptive robotic systems, laser micro- and nanoprocessing with automated optimisation, and thermochromic sensors for monitoring the temperature history of food products.
The programme will deliver new methods, algorithms, and software and hardware solutions for intelligent production monitoring, supervision and control. These solutions will enable earlier detection of defects and deviations, prediction of process conditions, real-time adjustment of manufacturing parameters, automated quality inspection, and more adaptive operation of robotic, laser and plasma systems.
The developed solutions will be integrated into prototypes and validated in industrial environments, laying the groundwork for their further application, improvement and commercialisation. The programme will therefore contribute to higher productivity, improved quality, greater flexibility, and increased energy and material efficiency in manufacturing, while also 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.
Programme Funding
The total value of the SMARTFACT programme is EUR 14,691,133.33, of which EUR 8,832,720.83 is contributed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The programme is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund under Slovenia’s European Cohesion Policy Programme 2021–2027.
More information about European Cohesion Policy is available on the website evropskasredstva.si.