Project description
Bridging the gap for Industry 4.0 with fog computing
In the midst of the dawn of Industry 4.0 a revolution fuelled by cutting-edge technologies, a significant challenge arises. The convergence of operational and information technologies (OT & IT) is crucial for the realisation of this new era. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the FORA project will train the next generation of researchers to bridge the IT-OT gap and lead this convergence. FORA’s interdisciplinary, international and intersectoral network aims to harness the power of fog computing, a logical extension from cloud computing, to achieve this ambitious goal. With 15 early-stage researchers at the helm, the project offers integrated training across key areas such as computer science, electrical engineering, control engineering, industrial automation, applied mathematics and data science.
Objective
We are at the beginning of a new industrial revolution (Industry 4.0): disruptive technologies such as cyber-physical systems, machine-to-machine communication, Big Data and machine learning, and human-robot collaboration will transform the manufacturing and industrial automation sectors. However, Industry 4.0 will only become a reality through the convergence of Operational and Information Technologies (OT & IT). The European Parliament, says that “a very wide range of skills is required for [Industry 4.0] implementation. […] the convergence of IT, manufacturing, automation technology and software requires the development of a fundamentally new approach to training IT experts.” The FORA interdisciplinary, international, intersectoral network will train the next generation of researchers to lead this convergence and cross the IT-OT gap. The convergence will be achieved through the new concept of Fog Computing, which is a logical extension from Cloud Computing towards the edge of the network (where machines are located), enabling applications that demand guarantees in safety, security, and real-time behavior. Research objectives focus on: a reference system architecture for Fog Computing; resource management mechanisms and middleware for deploying mixed-criticality applications in the Fog; safety and security assurance; service-oriented application modeling and real-time machine learning. Our ambitious objectives require individuals with a unique combination of interdisciplinary and intersectoral skills. Thus, FORA’s 15 ESRs will receive integrated training across key areas (computer science, electrical engineering, control engineering, industrial automation, applied mathematics and data science) necessary to fully realize the potential of Fog Computing for Industry 4.0 and will move between academic and industrial environments to promote interdisciplinary and intersectoral learning.
Fields of science
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdata sciencebig data
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectrical engineering
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligencemachine learning
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringcontrol engineering
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-ITN-ETN - European Training NetworksCoordinator
2800 Kongens Lyngby
Denmark