Industrial automation is taking another leap forward at the upcoming Manufacturing Performance Days in Tampere, where a robot cell will be presented in which a machine and a human communicate seamlessly – just like coworkers.
KUKA Digital and Smartom have developed a demonstration based on Noux Node’s technology, where a collaborative robot (Cobot) communicates fluently with production control systems, MES platforms, IT infrastructures, and human users. At the core of this technology is Noux Node’s Edge solution, which enables local AI-driven control and the use of distributed intelligence in industrial environments.
KUKA Digital has connected the robot into a Databricks-based data architecture, allowing the machine to leverage AI models on its operational data in near real-time. This setup allows for continuous performance monitoring and targeted improvements based on ongoing data analysis. The solution developed by Smartom is based on a locally assembled Large Language Model (LLM), enabling natural language interaction between humans and machines.
“It’s impressive to see how a large language model can connect various data sources and create a human-like interaction. The robot no longer merely follows pre-programmed tasks but understands human needs and responds to them – just like a colleague on the production line,” says Ossi Talvitie, founder and chairman of Noux Node.
The showcased solutions are based on real customer use cases.
“The goal of the demo is to show how industry can make better use of the latest AI and automation technologies. The key lies in a clear architectural structure, where the production-level systems connect seamlessly with IT systems via a capable Edge layer,” Talvitie adds.
Robot Cell Makes Its Joint Debut
KUKA Digital, a newly established business segment within one of the world’s leading automation companies, is making its international debut at the Manufacturing Performance Days (MPD) alongside its strategic partner, Finnish software provider Noux Node, and local automation company Smartom.
The MPD event brings together industrial leaders, technology influencers, and solution providers in Tampere for the ninth time.
The theme of MPD 2025 is “Manufacturing in the Age of AI”, with a program focused on the impact of artificial intelligence on industrial productivity and development. Discussions will explore how AI transforms production processes, boosts efficiency, and changes the nature of work. In addition to geopolitics, the event also tackles sustainability goals and the need for future industrial solutions to combine social, ecological, and economic perspectives.
MPD 2025 Event Partners Include:
Beckhoff Automation, Dassault Systèmes, DIMECC, Fastems, Reaktor, Siemens, Tampere University, Technology Industries of Finland, VTT, AIKA Ecosystem, CSC, EIT Manufacturing, Elisa Industriq, Escaltech, the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, KUKA Digital, M-Files, Netum, Noux Node, Ponsse, Smartom, TeamViewer, Top Data Science, Advian, Bosch Rexroth, Brightly Works, Comatec, Delfoi, Digiyritysneuvonta, Fujitsu, EAGLE, HiQ, IFM, Innofactor, Konepajakoulu, Knowit, PLM Group, Reboot Skills, Robocoast, Sofigate, Snowflake, SusTool, Teaching Factory Competence Center, TTreon, Unikie, Vincit, Wapice, Data Design, Fliq Oy, Lenz, Mastos, Missing Link, PipeCloud, Resoniks, Select AM, Spogen.ai, and Topaasia.
The event is supported by the City of Tampere, Tampere Chamber of Commerce, the German-Finnish Chamber of Commerce, and several European manufacturing industry networks including ManuFuture, EFFRA, Cecimo, and A.Spire.
Manufacturing Performance Days “Manufacturing in the Age of AI”, Tampere Hall, June 4–5, 2025. More information: www.mpdays.com
