- Connecticut Senate unanimously approves the establishment of a manufacturing technology working group
- Group would be charged with developing a strategic plan to support Industry 4.0 goals for Connecticut manufacturers
- Plan must be developed no later than Oct. 1, 2022
Summary by Dirk Langeveld
The Connecticut Senate has unanimously passed a bill establishing a working group to assist manufacturers in the incorporation of advanced technology into their processes. The measure now goes to the House.
The bill creates a manufacturing technology working group to develop a strategic plan ensuring that Connecticut manufacturers “have a strategy for the lean application and integration of Industry 4.0 technology into their product development and production processes.” Industry 4.0 refers to hardware, software, and innovations involved in the digitization of manufacturing, including aspects like artificial intelligence, automation, and human-machine interaction.
The group will develop comprehensive profiles of entities receiving state and federal funding for purposes related to Industry 4.0. It will also determine the impact of services provided to these entities and how they can be streamlined.
The group will be co-chaired by representatives from the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology and CONNSTEP. Manufacturers must make up at least half of the group, while at least one-third of members must represent manufacturers with fewer than 150 employees.
If approved, the group will hold its first meeting no later than Aug. 31. It will issue a report on its progress in accomplishing its goals by March 15, 2022, and develop a strategic plan by Oct. 1, 2022. The manufacturing technology working group will be dissolved on that date or upon the submission of the strategic plan.
