New research makes factories more attractive as workplaces

A new European study breathes new life into factory work by proposing novel ways to engage and motivate workers. Manufacturing environments are changing, and smart factories with new technologies are being introduced to allow humans and machines to increasingly work side-by-side.

Industrial Technologies

© Prima Power

The partners in the Factory2Fit project, funded through the Horizon 2020 programme, have spent the last 3 years developing and piloting worker-centred solutions that feed into the current transformative phase in the Industrial Revolution known as Industry 4.0 with Operator 4.0 solutions. A package of seven innovative tools is now ready for market uptake.

Workers who have participated in this research are happy to be involved in reshaping their workplace. The tools allow inexperienced workers to upskill quickly and expert workers to share their valuable knowledge. One of the tools is an app collecting and offering workers private, real-time feedback on their work wellbeing and achievements, and insights into how these are related. Another one is a virtual factory-based software product allowing workers to participate in designing their own work. For more information, see: https://factory2fit.eu/

“We have effectively been looking to change the way factories operate. The Factory2Fit solutions will radically increase the possibilities for workers to influence their work and engage workers in taking responsibility for their own learning and skills development. The results of our industrial pilots show that the solutions are well accepted and they have potential to increase both work wellbeing and productivity.”

- Dr Eija Kaasinen, Factory2Fit Project Coordinator, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland

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Countries

Finland