Ambient Intelligence in Manufacturing

There are several references to projects linked to the Ambient Intelligence (AmI) concept in technical publications. These are mostly centered on applications linked to everyday situations concerning individuals: at home, in the street, in the car, in public places, and relating to leisure. The AMILAB research group at TEKNIKER analyzes the technological, human, and social needs and implications for AmI in the manufacturing field. To achieve this aim, the research group has set up a laboratory to spread the model of AmI to the area of manufacturing. This chapter presents that Lab, the agent based architecture they have implemented, and the application of machine learning techniques to identify the activities a worker is doing. It emphasizes that in the area of manufacturing, AmI is not only going to affect the way in which processes develop, but will also provide new ways of working and doing business. © 2006