Wichita State University and Deloitte Join Forces to Launch New Smart Factory 

Deloitte and Wichita State University lauunched The Smart Factory @ Wichita, an immersive experiential learning environment that will accelerate the future of manufacturing as new technologies continue to reshape operations and the modern enterprise.

Deloitte and Wichita State are constructing the new facility on Wichita State's Innovation Campus, which will include a full-scale production line, dedicated space for select ecosystem sponsors and experiential labs exploring smart factory capabilities. A smart factory is a highly digitized and connected production facility that uses technologies such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things and robotics to manufacture products, according to Wichita State. Working alongside humans, smart factories can self-adapt and autonomously optimize manufacturing operations. The Smart Factory @ Wichita will make digital transformations real by demonstrating how to merge existing technologies with new innovations, sparking a dialogue about how companies can accelerate their journey towards scalable and sustainable capabilities, the school says.

“Smart factory solutions are becoming even more important as companies re-evaluate the resiliency and agility of their supply chains, which can determine an organization's success in the marketplace and the success of entire ecosystems,” says Nishita Henry, chief innovation officer at Deloitte Consulting LLP. “Together with Wichita State, Deloitte will create a unique experience that captures the innovation, value proposition and disruptive technological capabilities of the smart factory.”

“Wichita is a cutting-edge hub for precision manufacturing and technology. By collaborating with Deloitte, we will be able to bring together the organization's experience with our educational, research and innovation capabilities,” says Jay Golden, president of Wichita State University. “The Smart Factory @ Wichita is the future, offering endless technological capabilities for organizations, as we believe it's critical to provide a hands-on learning experience for our business and academic communities.”   

The Smart Factory @ Wichita 

The Smart Factory @ Wichita will be a net-zero impact smart building on a smart grid featuring 60,000 square feet of sustainable space. The end-to-end smart production line will demonstrate the art of the possible through advanced manufacturing methods and technologies and will also manufacture STEM education interactive kits that will be donated to local organizations in support of Deloitte's advancement of STEM education initiatives.

The facility is expected to open to clients, industry partners and students next year. It is the evolution of Deloitte's existing experience at Wichita State, which features more than 40 robots, robotic programs and cyber applications, 26 AR/VR assets and high-end data visualizations, 10 types of 3D printers, nine reverse engineering machine types, 21 professional engineering software programs and more. It offers an experience in which the digital, physical and experimental come together—for educators, collaborators and clients—to see how Industry 4.0 can make an impact and spur innovation and smart factory capabilities. 

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.