From December 11th to 13, APRE hosted two co-creation workshops in Brussels (Belgium) as part of FORGING’s event series “Novel Enabling Technologies for a Sustainable Future”. These sessions brought together experts, innovators, and professionals to explore the transformative potential of emerging technologies, aligning their work with the European Commission’s vision for Industry 5.0—focused on human-centric, sustainable, and resilient solutions.
During the first workshop, centered on Real-Time Digital Twins and Simulation Technologies, participants collaborated in four distinct working groups to develop practical use cases for these advanced technologies. As a result, 4 use-cases were defined, entailing 4 different technological solutions enabled by Cognitive Digital Twins in a variety of sectors, including manufacturing, automotive, and the management of complex processes and systems.
Dr. Xinyi Tu from PwC Finland kicked off the workshop with a keynote speech, offering insights into how digital twins and extended reality are driving significant value for Industry 5.0. The speech highlighted the pivotal role of these technologies in building more resilient and human-centered industrial ecosystems.
The second workshop revolved around Human-centric Solutions and Human-machine Interaction. Participants engaged in fruitful discussions to co-create use-cases that explore how technologies such as natural language processing, the Internet of Things (IoT), and digital twins can enhance human-machine interactions in sectors like aviation, healthcare, and manufacturing.
Dr. Davide De Tommaso from the Italian Institute of Technology offered a keynote presentation, discussing the role of social robotics in healthcare, particularly in autism rehabilitation. His speech provided valuable context on how human-centric technologies are being used to make a tangible difference in people’s lives, aligning with the broader vision of Industry 5.0.
As in previous workshops, FORGING provided an invaluable opportunity for experts to come together, exchange ideas, and collaborate across different disciplines and sectors. The co-creation process and the methodology developed by the hosting partner ensured that all perspectives were considered when envisioning the future of technology—one that prioritises human needs, sustainability, and resilience. The goal was to ensure that emerging technologies are deployed in ways that are not only innovative but also aligned with the values of Industry 5.0, where human well-being is at the heart of technological advancement.
The series of workshops continues with a focus on Technologies for Energy Efficiency, with the next event scheduled for January 30-31, 2025, in Madrid, Spain. For those interested in joining this next exciting chapter, registration is now open. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to contribute to the development of technologies that will shape the future of industries and society! Click here to register for the Madrid workshop.