Workshop on Robust Machine Intelligence for Factory Automation

Workshop Overview

The workshop on Robust Machine Intelligence for Factory Automation brings together researchers and practitioners from machine learning and automation domains to address a critical challenge: developing trustworthy machine learning technologies for mission-critical factory operations. As manufacturing environments become increasingly complex and dynamic, there is an urgent need to bridge the gap between cutting-edge AI advancements and practical industrial applications.

Our primary objective is to catalyze a collaborative dialogue that sparks innovative approaches to machine intelligence in factory automation. By creating a platform for cross-disciplinary knowledge exchange, we aim to:

Highlight research challenges in designing AI systems for industrial settings
Explore emerging methodologies for robust and adaptive intelligent systems
Develop a shared vision for future research and development

Through a diverse range of interactive sessions—including expert talks, lightning presentations, and facilitated discussions—we will collectively chart a roadmap for transforming factory operations. The workshop seeks to reimagine production systems as more intelligent, responsive, and human-centric, capable of meeting the complex technological and societal demands of the future.

Ultimately, we aspire to accelerate the development of machine learning technologies that can navigate the unprecedented challenges of modern factory environments, paving the way for more sustainable, resilient, and innovative manufacturing ecosystems.

Why This Workshop Is Needed

Machine learning is significantly transforming not only how we live but also how we create. Factories, traditionally perceived as dangerous, dirty, and dull environments, are now facing unprecedented opportunities. Physical sensors, machines, factory automation systems, and production networks all stand to benefit from the unique capabilities of advanced machine learning techniques. This integration will enable future factories to develop autonomous sensing, reasoning, memory, and collaboration capabilities—allowing them to produce in more sustainable, resilient, and human-friendly ways.

This vision will fundamentally impact future jobs and tasks in manufacturing environments and reshape the form and human interaction mechanisms of factory machines and systems. However, the exact manifestation of these changes remains uncertain and requires imagination to fully envision.

Format

Expert Talks

Leading experts providing an overview of the latest research trends in the area.

Rapid Fire Talks

Short and fun sharing of exciting research projects to build connections.

Facilitated Discussion

Brainstorm shared agenda for collaborative efforts and future workshop planning.

Schedule

Time	Session	Speaker	Talk Title
Part 1
8:00 – 8:06 am	Workshop Introduction	Organizers	Welcome and Overview
8:06 – 8:33 am	Expert Talk 1	Jong-Seok LeeKorea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology	Learning Monotonic Neural Networks for Data-Driven Control in Steel Manufacturing
8:33 – 9:00 am	Expert Talk 2	Yu-Ming HsiehNational Cheng Kung University	AI-empowered Evolution for Intelligent Manufacturing
9:00 – 9:27 am	Expert Talk 3	Sara WangUniversity of Nottingham	Intelligent Reconfigurable Manufacturing in Aerospace: System Design and Product–Process–System Integration
9:30 – 10:30 am	CASE 2025 Farewell Brunch	—	—
Part 2
10:30 – 11:00 am	Expert Talk 4	Birgit Vogel-HeuserTechnical University of Munich	Success factors for machine intelligence in factory automation
11:00 – 11:30 am	Expert Talk 5	Weiming ShenHuazhong University of Science and Technology	Evolution of Agent Concept for Collaborative Intelligent Manufacturing
11:30 am – 12:00 pm	Open Discussions and Wrap-up	—	—