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London-based Deloitte, the largest professional services network in the world, and Wichita State University (WSU) announced earlier this month that they have partnered to build a new smart factory on the latter’s campus in Wichita, Kansas, with the new facility geared to boost manufacturing technology innovation.
Expected to open in 2021 and offering 60,000-square-feet of sustainable facility space, the Smart Factory @ Wichita will feature a full-scale end-to-end production line, experiential labs for exploring smart factory capabilities, and space for smart ecosystem sponsors. According to Deloitte, the facility will be a net-zero impact smart building that includes a smart grid infrastructure.
Deloitte said its existing collaboration with WSU includes more than 40 robots, robotic programs and cyber applications, 26 augmented reality/virtual reality assets and high-end data visualizations, 10 types of 3D printers, nine reverse engineering machine types, and 21 professional engineering software programs.
“The facility will help companies explore what’s possible with smart factory applications and help them move closer to creating sustainable smart manufacturing investments,” Deloitte said in an announcement on its website for The Smart Factory @ Wichita.
Deloitte added that the smart factory’s production line will demonstrate what is possible through advanced manufacturing methods and technologies. The facility will also be used to produce STEM education interactive kits that will be donated to local organizations.
The Smart Factory @ Wichita will be part of Deloitte’s Catalyst network that helps enterprises, governments, and startups accelerate their growth.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Deloitte
