Industrial automation for manufacturing
Workshop Summary
On November 28, 2025, the Innovation Booster – Robotics, in collaboration with the Institute of Systems and Technologies for Sustainable Production (ISTePS) at SUPSI, organised a full-day workshop at the USI–SUPSI Campus in Lugano-Viganello, dedicated to exploring how industrial automation and robotics can support more flexible, efficient, and resilient manufacturing systems.
The workshop brought together manufacturers, researchers, technology providers, startups, and integrators from across Switzerland to discuss concrete industrial challenges related to automation adoption. Through expert presentations, moderated discussions, and laboratory visits, participants examined real-world use cases, integration constraints, and the human and organisational factors shaping the deployment of robotic and AI-based systems in manufacturing environments.
Identified Challenges
Automation in Manufacturing Systems
- How can automation systems cope with high product variability and small production batches?
- How can precision inspection and quality control be automated without compromising reliability and expert judgement?
- How can automation solutions remain flexible and easily reconfigurable as products and processes evolve?
- How can robotic and AI-based systems be deployed in environments with strict precision, aesthetic, and quality requirements?
- How can digital traceability be introduced into traditionally manual inspection workflows?
Integration, Interoperability, and System Robustness
- How can complex robotic, AI-driven, and legacy systems be integrated in an interoperable way?
- How can emerging automation technologies be validated for industrial robustness and long-term operation?
- How can downtime, maintenance, and lifecycle management be reduced in automated production environments?
- How can open ecosystems and interoperable frameworks be adopted without increasing system complexity?
Workforce Readiness and Human Factors
- How can operator trust, acceptance, and skills be effectively supported during automation deployment?
- How can non-expert users safely operate and interact with advanced robotic systems?
- How can human-robot interaction be designed to align with users’ mental models and real working conditions?
- How can roles, responsibilities, and autonomy boundaries between humans and robots be clearly defined?
Cost, Risk, and Adoption for SMEs
- How can manufacturers, particularly SMEs, reduce cost, risk, and uncertainty when investing in automation?
- How can feasibility and return on investment be demonstrated before full-scale deployment?
- How can automation solutions be made accessible to organisations with limited internal engineering expertise?
🗓️ Date: 28 November 2025
📍Location: Aula Polivalente, CAMPUS USI-SUPSI via la Santa 1, 6962 Viganello
The participation is free, the registration is required.
Registration: link
This workshop will explore the transformative role of robotics in manufacturing, addressing both the challenges and opportunities faced by industries at different stages of automation. We will hear from companies that rely on manual processes, those in the process of integrating robotics, and those already leveraging advanced AI-driven solutions. Speakers and participants will represent the full value chain, including technology providers, end-users, and research institutions.
Workshop Objectives
- Foster collaboration between traditional manufacturers, robotics innovators, and research institutions to accelerate open innovation in manufacturing.
- Address challenges in integrating robotics into manual process environments through shared learning and co-creation.
- Explore how open innovation ecosystems can enable smarter, AI-driven manufacturing platforms.
- Bring together end-users, technology providers, and researchers to align market needs with cutting-edge solutions.
Agenda
10:00 – 10:30 Coffee and registration
10:30 – 10:45
Welcome & Introduction
- Overview of objectives and key outcomes.
- Introduction to open innovation in robotics and manufacturing.
Session 1 – Challenges & needs in robotics adoption (10:45 – 12:15)
Insights into current manufacturing practices, with a focus on value chain clusters.
Four presentations (10 min each + Q&A)
The session will feature four short presentations (10 minutes each), followed by a Q&A. It will bring together representatives from Swatch, S3C, Fanuc, and USI to discuss perspectives across the value chain — from end-users and technology transfer challenges to supplier insights and human factors in manufacturing.
- Marco Tarallo, Innovation Manager, The Swatch Group Assembly SA
- Hakan Girgin, Innovation Manager, Swiss Cobotics Competence Center (S3C)
- Cyril Amez, Business Development Leader, Fanuc
- Monica Landoni, Human factors, USI
12:15 – 13:15
Networking Lunch
Session 2 – Co-innovating smarter manufacturing systems (13:15 – 14:45)
Four presentations (10 min each + Q&A)
The session will include four short presentations (10 minutes each), followed by a Q&A. It will feature contributions from Auto-Mate, Artificialy, ETH Zurich, and Jaipur Robotics, offering perspectives on inspection systems, artificial intelligence applications, research advancements, and industrial innovation in manufacturing.
- Lucas Renfer, CEO, Auto-Mate Robotics AG
- Damiano Binaghi, Artificialy SA
- Sebastian Lang, Senior Scientist at the Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory of ETH Zurich
- Ermes Zamboni CEO, Jaipur Robotics AG
14:45 – 16:30
Lab Visit – Observe robotics solutions in action. (5 labs, 5 tours running at the same time)
16:30 – 16:15
Closing Remarks & Next Steps
Registration
If you are interested in participating, please register as soon as possible using the following link:
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We look forward to an engaging and productive session!
