SME 5.0 is one of the first larger projects conducting specific research to prepare SMEs for Industry 5.0. SMEs are the backbone of Europeans (and worldwide) economy. Increased awareness of industrial companies in Industry 5.0 topics will improve their processes by integrating not only digitalization but also sustainability, ethical aspects as well as a socio/human centred perspective in their strategic improvement plans.
INTELLIGENT SME FACTORIES:
Although SMEs now have technologies for gathering and managing huge amounts of data, they still face difficulties in exploiting this data. One aim of the next level for SMEs is to create intelligent SME factories, enabled by cybersecure data analytics and artificial intelligence. Cybersecurity and Biological Transformation in manufacturing will also be addressed by the SME 5.0 project. Society 5.0 and Industry 5 0 are terms that describe a societal revolution using advanced IT technologies, loT robots, Al or augmented reality Industry 5.0 aims to accelerate the twin green and digital transitions of industry to build a more sustainable and resilient society and economy, by making production more respectful of the planet and placing the well-being of industrial workers at the center of the production process.
SUSTAINABLE SME FACTORIES:
Second SME 5.0 also focuses on creating sustainable SME factones, SMEs are important for the European economy and the environment, but their cumulative environmental impact is considerable. Thus, the re- design of traditional SME factories into sustainable ones is a challenge that SME 5.0 aims to address. Additionally, Industry 5.0 is an EC strategy to accelerate the twin green and digital transitions of industry to build a more sustainable and resilient society and economy. The Industry 5.0 approach contributes to the European Commission's priorities of an economy that works for people the European Green Deal, and Europe fit for the digital age.
HUMAN-CENTRED SME FACTORIES:
Third, SMEs need to become human-centered entrepreneurs and adapt to the work of the future. This involves identifying the competencies and skill sets required for future roles and upskilling the existing workforce. Operators need to be trained in Operator 4.0 skills, and workplaces should be inclusive and diverse improving working conditions and introducing technologies that empower workers and compensate for deficits are also important goals. SME 5.0 will provide guidelines for achieving these objectives.
SME 5.0 focuses on providing a Strategic Roadmap Towards the Next Level of Intelligent, Sustainable and Human-Centred SMEs consisting of six main General Research Objectives:
1. Building an SME 5.0 Stakeholder & Training Network for increasing project sustainability and impact
2. Empirical Research to identify SME Requirements and Barriers/Limitations for introducing Industry 5.0
3. Development of an Industry 5.0 Assessment to facilitate SMEs evaluating their current status
4. Development of an Online Platform
5. Roll-Out Blueprint for a structured and systematic roll-out of Industry 5.0 in SMEs Z (Empirical Research) for accelerating the transition of European SMEs towards Industry 5.0 Implementation Guidelines of Industry 5.0
6. Recommendations to the EC, policy makers and related stakeholders based on results of Objective 2 (Empirical Research) for accelerating the transition of European SMEs towards Industry 5.0
