Joint event with t2i and EIT Manufacturing

19.11.2025

The Mechatronics & Automation Cluster presented Bavaria as a production location for Italian manufacturing companies at the joint online event with t2i (also a partner in the RECENTRE EU Interreg project) and EIT Manufacturing. The focus here was on Industry 5.0 in Bavaria. Partner t2i presented the Italian status of developments. EIT Manufacturing placed both perspectives in the wider European and global political context.

Industry 5.0 extends Industry 4.0 to include human-centricity, sustainability and resilience. The aim is for humans and machines to work together, supported by AI, robotics and data networking. The focus is on multiple transformations: digital, green and social.
Trends
The overarching trends identified were

• Human-machine collaboration: use of collaborative robots ("cobots") and assistance systems.
• Artificial intelligence & automation: AI-based production control, digital twins, adaptive manufacturing.
• Sustainability: resource-efficient, low-carbon production, circular economy.
• Resilient supply chains: localization and digital transparency in the value chain
• 5G & IoT networks: networked, flexible production facilities.

Challenges
Common challenges identified:

• High investment costs for digitalization.
• Shortage of IT and AI specialists.
• Need for stable energy and data infrastructure.
• Bavaria relies on technological expertise (AI, robotics, microelectronics) and promotes Industry 5.0 through clusters, research initiatives and funding programs.

Looking at Europe and the world
The participants noted that, despite some regional differences in terms of the progress of developments, there are more similarities than differences. From a European perspective in particular, this offers a great opportunity for targeted, rapid development and implementation in several countries through a strong European focus on Industry 5.0.
Due to the sometimes strong differences between European countries, a special focus is being placed on the social, ecological and resilient dimension of Industry 5.0 for overall social development within Europe. The focus is no longer just on increasing efficiency through automation and networking, but above all on people as active shapers of technological processes. Human-centricity means that workplaces should become safer, healthier and more meaningful - through the use of collaborative robots, intelligent assistance systems and targeted training. At the same time, the focus is shifting to sustainability: production and supply chains should be designed to be resource-efficient, low-carbon and circular, supported by initiatives such as the EU Green Deal or the Circular Economy Action Plan. This is complemented by the principle of resilience - the ability to react flexibly to crises and market changes. Digital twins, AI-based control systems and local value creation networks should help to make Europe's industry more resilient and independent.
For Europe's competition with the world, on the other hand, the focus is on digitalization and technical progress as well as the associated innovation and speed. Technologically, Industry 5.0 continues to be based on key technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, 5G/6G communication, cloud and edge computing and robotics, but these are becoming more ethically, socially and ecologically embedded. In political terms, Industry 5.0 is anchored in the EU industrial strategy and the Horizon Europe research framework program, with programs such as Made in Europe or Digital Europe specifically promoting research, innovation and qualification. Overall, Europe's goal with Industry 5.0 is to create a competitive, sustainable and people-oriented economy in which technological advances serve the good of society.
Key aspects at European level are

• Technological sovereignty: Europe must secure its competitiveness by developing and deploying key technologies such as AI, robotics, IoT, 5G/6G, cloud and edge computing, additive manufacturing and digital twins in its own ecosystems. The aim is to reduce dependence on non-European providers.
• Human-centered production: In a global comparison, Europe can use its strengths in labor and social standards to establish Industry 5.0 as a model for people-friendly, safe and inclusive workplaces. This can be a competitive advantage over countries where labor is primarily cheap and less regulated.
• Sustainability & circular economy: European companies must increasingly offer low-carbon, resource-efficient and circular production processes. EU legislation (Green Deal, Fit-for-55, Circular Economy) is setting standards that influence international markets and position European products as "sustainable premium solutions".
• Resilient supply chains: Europe's Industry 5.0 strategy promotes flexible, digital and locally networked production systems that are better able to respond to crises such as pandemics, energy crises or geopolitical tensions. This strengthens competitiveness by avoiding bottlenecks.
• Research, innovation & skills: Through programs such as Horizon Europe, Digital Europe and EIT Manufacturing, Europe is investing specifically in research, start-ups and skills development in order to develop globally leading solutions and quickly transfer innovations into industrial practice.
• Regulatory and ethical advantage: Europe can differentiate its industrial products through strict data protection, safety and environmental standards, making Industry 5.0 not only technologically, but also ethically and socially attractive.

Note: AI support was used to summarize the results