Flexible Factory & Society

The Internet of Things (IoT) connects things via the Internet and it is also progressing in factories, where a variety of wireless communication systems and applications are being introduced to manufacturing sites.

However, the current lack of standardization in the wireless part of the system can cause communication problems such as interference, and the lack of wireless specialists on-site can prevent quick response to problems, thus possibly resulting in a line stoppage for an extended period of time. NICT has launched the ‘Flexible Factory Project’ (FFPJ) in collaboration with several manufacturers and service providers and is a leader in the development of new wireless platforms and wireless communication standards specifications. They also publish various white papers that summarize communication security issues that require attention, knowledge gained from manufacturing sites, and results of on-site field verifications to ensure those engaged in operations at manufacturing sites; whom are using IoT more and more, can work smoothly and safely.

The results obtained from FFPJ's research and development have been in demand not only from manufacturing sites but also from logistics and medical facilities. Since 2021, FFPJ has been working to expand its target fields under the new project.