Smart Factory
Smart Factory: Technology Overview
The smart factory comprises modern technologies such as IoT, AI, robotics, and advanced analytics to autonomously monitor, analyze, and optimize manufacturing processes in real time. Key trends driving smart factories include the adoption of industrial IoT for real-time data collection, AI-powered predictive maintenance, digital twins for virtual modeling and simulation, edge computing for faster on-site processing, and collaborative robotics (cobots) for flexible automation. Cybersecurity and interoperability across platforms are also gaining importance as systems become more interconnected. Future developments are expected to focus on fully autonomous manufacturing systems, increased use of generative AI for design and process optimization, integration of quantum computing for complex simulations, and the widespread implementation of closed-loop systems that adapt instantly to changes in demand, supply, or environmental conditions. Sustainability and energy efficiency will also be central, with factories designed to be both smart and green.
Global Development of world class patents in smart factory
The patent analysis shows that the number of world-class patents in smart factory has increased from around 3,900 in 2015 to almost 17,800 in 2024.
Top 25 Countries
World-class patents in smart factory technologies are primarily developed by Chinese and US companies. Japan is in the third spot in the global ranking, ahead of the EU and South Korea.
Top 25 Companies
Emerson Electric and Rockwell Automation, two US companies, and Hitachi, a Japanese industrial conglomerate, have developed the largest number of world-class patents in the smart factory field. Siemens is the top-ranked European company (5th globally), while State Grid Corp of China is the top-ranked Chinese company (8th globally).
Key connected technologies
Key enabling or connected technologies for the development of smart factories include neural networks & deep learning, robotics, generative AI, cloud technologies and autonomous driving. Some smart factory patents also share a thematic overlap with adjacent fields such as digital agriculture or smart city. Only world class patents are shown that are assigned to both smart factories and connected technologies / adjacent fields.
Key connected technologies for smart factories – country activities
The following chart shows which countries are active in key connected technologies for smart factories. Only world class patents are shown that are assigned to both smart factory and enabling technologies / adjacent fields. Individual countries can be activated or deactivated by clicking on the corresponding circle in the legend.
Reading example: the number next to the listed technologies indicates the number of world-class patents in 2024. China is the leader in the use of Deep Learning and Generative AI for smart factories, while the US is ahead in autonomous driving, cloud and digital twin technologies. Patent applications involving researchers from more than one country are assigned to the countries of those researchers. Consequently, the sum of top research locations exceeds 100%.
