Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NARRATE (regeNerAtive Resilient smaRt mAnufacTuring nEtworks)
Berichtszeitraum: 2023-12-01 bis 2025-05-31
Today, SC face challenges from diverse stakeholders, intricate interactions, and frequent disruptions. Current risk management practices often lack proactive response mechanisms, needeing an evolution to better understand and manage the impact of unforeseen events on production. Organizations need to adapt swiftly, thrive under new conditions, and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
To address these needs, NARRATE conducts cutting-edge research to integrate advancements in AI, Machine Learning (ML), Big Data, IoT, and DT aiming to create a logically centralized hub: the Intelligent Manufacturing Custodian (IMC) that is designed to provide end-to-end visibility and control over SC operations. It will leverage advanced AI capabilities, coupled with trusted models, simulators, DTs, and sophisticated decision-making and planning technologies, and will be powered by data from various sources (product, production, supply chain data, real-time information from machines, sensors, and IoT devices). By collating these data, the IMC will enable proactive decision-making functioning as the brain of a supply chain network, facilitating real-time monitoring and coordination of intelligent manufacturing processes and logistics.
Integrating the IMC into an SC network will transform traditional SC operations into a Smart Manufacturing Network (SMN), that is envisioned as an interconnected, end-to-end ecosystem equipped with programmable MaaS capabilities, designed to deal with disruptions effectively. Within this framework, SC partners will be seamlessly integrated into a next-level, modular, and resilient SC ecosystem.
Utilizing DT, the IMC will empower an SMN to continuously adapt and morph itself. Under human supervision, it will achieve this by dynamically switching services between multiple external partners in response to external risks and disruptions. This adaptive capability is vital for maintaining operational continuity and resilience towards unpredictable events. The IMC is poised to enhance manufacturing and logistics agility through two mechanisms. 1.- it will reduce the risk of disruption and improve business continuity by fostering a proactive stance, anticipating disruptions, and continuously learning and self-calibrating based on experience, rather than merely reacting to events. This continuous learning loop will enable the system to refine its responses over time. 2.- the IMC will provide the crucial ability to reinvent and reconfigure the SMN ecosystem in direct response to unexpected events and disruptions.
To address these needs, NARRATE conducts cutting-edge research to integrate advancements in AI, Machine Learning (ML), Big Data, IoT, and DT aiming to create a logically centralized hub: the Intelligent Manufacturing Custodian (IMC) that is designed to provide end-to-end visibility and control over SC operations. It will leverage advanced AI capabilities, coupled with trusted models, simulators, DTs, and sophisticated decision-making and planning technologies, and will be powered by data from various sources (product, production, supply chain data, real-time information from machines, sensors, and IoT devices). By collating these data, the IMC will enable proactive decision-making functioning as the brain of a supply chain network, facilitating real-time monitoring and coordination of intelligent manufacturing processes and logistics.
Integrating the IMC into an SC network will transform traditional SC operations into a Smart Manufacturing Network (SMN), that is envisioned as an interconnected, end-to-end ecosystem equipped with programmable MaaS capabilities, designed to deal with disruptions effectively. Within this framework, SC partners will be seamlessly integrated into a next-level, modular, and resilient SC ecosystem.
Utilizing DT, the IMC will empower an SMN to continuously adapt and morph itself. Under human supervision, it will achieve this by dynamically switching services between multiple external partners in response to external risks and disruptions. This adaptive capability is vital for maintaining operational continuity and resilience towards unpredictable events. The IMC is poised to enhance manufacturing and logistics agility through two mechanisms. 1.- it will reduce the risk of disruption and improve business continuity by fostering a proactive stance, anticipating disruptions, and continuously learning and self-calibrating based on experience, rather than merely reacting to events. This continuous learning loop will enable the system to refine its responses over time. 2.- the IMC will provide the crucial ability to reinvent and reconfigure the SMN ecosystem in direct response to unexpected events and disruptions.
NARRATE has made significant progress in developing a sophisticated, AI-driven manufacturing network. The team designed the Reference Architecture, a digital framework that intelligently connects factories, suppliers, and systems, enabling real-time monitoring, smart decision-making, and rapid responses to disruptions. This architecture leverages cutting-edge technologies like AI, DT, and the IoT.
A key achievement is the Federated Data Integration Framework (FDIF), which facilitates secure, real-time data sharing across disparate systems without centralized storage, providing manufacturers with comprehensive operational visibility. Concurrently, "Blueprint Frames", detailed digital models of SC components (suppliers, products, machines, logistics) were created. These are paired with a specialized Digital Twin Processing Language (DTPL) to manage and automate manufacturing processes.
NARRATE also introduced several intelligent decision-support tools. The IMC acts as the central "brain," optimizing operations by integrating data and AI models. The Resilience Digital Module (RDM) helps companies prepare for and respond to disruptions using real-world data and simulations. Furthermore, a Neuro-Symbolic Question Answering (NSQA) system was developed, allowing users to get AI-generated answers to natural language queries by combining large language models with structured data. To enhance prediction and planning, the project integrated smart analytics tools for early problem detection and optimal response suggestions. These tools are connect with DT to simulate scenarios across production, logistics, and sustainability. An overarching End-to-End Visibility and Decision Support System is being built to provide a complete AI-driven view of the manufacturing process.
The team has also developed systems to track real-time machine and supply chain data for early disruption detection, alongside tools to assess risks and evaluate preparedness. These efforts aim to make manufacturing operations more flexible, sustainable, and adaptable.
A key achievement is the Federated Data Integration Framework (FDIF), which facilitates secure, real-time data sharing across disparate systems without centralized storage, providing manufacturers with comprehensive operational visibility. Concurrently, "Blueprint Frames", detailed digital models of SC components (suppliers, products, machines, logistics) were created. These are paired with a specialized Digital Twin Processing Language (DTPL) to manage and automate manufacturing processes.
NARRATE also introduced several intelligent decision-support tools. The IMC acts as the central "brain," optimizing operations by integrating data and AI models. The Resilience Digital Module (RDM) helps companies prepare for and respond to disruptions using real-world data and simulations. Furthermore, a Neuro-Symbolic Question Answering (NSQA) system was developed, allowing users to get AI-generated answers to natural language queries by combining large language models with structured data. To enhance prediction and planning, the project integrated smart analytics tools for early problem detection and optimal response suggestions. These tools are connect with DT to simulate scenarios across production, logistics, and sustainability. An overarching End-to-End Visibility and Decision Support System is being built to provide a complete AI-driven view of the manufacturing process.
The team has also developed systems to track real-time machine and supply chain data for early disruption detection, alongside tools to assess risks and evaluate preparedness. These efforts aim to make manufacturing operations more flexible, sustainable, and adaptable.
NARRATE has delivered impactful digital tools for manufacturing, helping factories run more efficiently, predict disruptions, and make smarter decisions with real-time data. Key innovations include a modular AI-enabled manufacturing architecture and tools like the Intelligent Manufacturing Custodian (IMC), Resilience Digital Module (RDM), and Digital Twin Processing Language (DTPL). These act as a “digital brain” for production, improving visibility, sustainability, and coordination. Early pilots confirm their real-world value. To scale adoption, further testing, SME support, commercialization strategies, and strong IPR are needed. EU-wide standards and interoperability will also be key to enabling cross-border use and advancing a more resilient, digital, and sustainable industry.