The Smart Factory @ Wichita
2022 | Wichita, Kansas
Experiencing the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The Smart Factory combines a state-of-the-art learning center with a working production line in an ever-evolving proof-of-concept of the future of manufacturing. Audiences including business leaders, startups, educators, and researchers learn how Industry 4.0 concepts, and specific solutions provided by technology partners, can be applied to solve the specific challenges they are facing.
Inside the 30,000 sqft (2890 sqm) innovation center, a guided a four-hour program demonstrates in real-time the context, capability and application of leading-edge manufacturing technology. The variety of experiences includes self-directed interactives, showcases of new technology, choreographed disruptions, and live data workshops. Every angle of the challege to transition into the Industry 4.0 pardaigm is explored.
The experience is tailored for each group scheduled to visit. To enable this, an extensive content management system was designed to enable control and coordination of custom content over all screens, manage custom templates, and precisely choreograph moments in the tour. Docents use handheld tablets to control the space during the presentation. All spaces also include multi-angle video and audio capture, linked to a broadcast desk, to enable live broadcast of the tour to remote participants.
As Technical Director for the overall project, Principal Jay Ho oversaw all aspects of experience technology, balancing the need to awe and inspire with the realities of the space, budget, and IT security. Close and constant collaboration with the design team ensured the most value extracted for each experience dollar spent. This combined understanding of experience design principles and technology gives us the confidence to know when to fight for an idea, and when to compromise.
Despite the challenges of this undertaking during the pandemic, we aligned the teams responsible for technology, production, and construction to create a beautiful, cohesive, and informative experience that will continue to evolve with the industry.
Partners:
Design - Gensler
Production Management - Studio Black
AV Integration - Electrosonic
Touch Table Production - Ideum
The Smart Factory features the latest in experience technology and cutting-edge manufacturing technology in a futuristic industrial setting. Interactives, dynamic lighting, and clear data visualizations are utilized throughout the experience to convey dense information precisely while creating visceral impact.
Premium materials, progressive design, and dynamic content and lighting are employed throughout to convey narrative tension. Custom design-and-build touch tables are a centerpiece of the experience. In the "Tomorrow" room, a commanding 20ft (6.1m) table accomodates six independent users using machine-readable tangibles to navigate through multi-tiered content. The table also integrates an industrial quick-mount system that allows docents to demonstrate technology like robotics and additive manufacturing.
Live data and analytics feature prominently in the experience. In the Command Center, Simulated events create a "disruption" that leads to a problem-solving demonstration. On the Production Floor, metrics are displayed overhead for maximum situational awareness.
Video credit: Deloitte