On 20–21 November 2024, the IDEALIST community gathered in Florence, Tuscany, for a Learning Expedition dedicated to advanced technologies, industrial innovation and cross-sector cooperation.
Organised by DITECFER, the two-day programme focused on transformative technologies including Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, IoT and Big Data, offering SMEs and cluster representatives an opportunity to explore their potential applications in industrial environments.
Exploring digital technologies through use cases and exchange
The first day in Florence combined presentations, practical sessions, group work and networking.
Participants explored real-world use cases linked to advanced technologies and discussed how digital solutions can contribute to areas such as supply chain optimisation, data management and the development of new operational opportunities for SMEs.
The programme also included dedicated mini-acceleration sessions on Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain, aimed at providing participants with practical information and tools to better understand how these technologies can support company growth.
A pitching session gave delegates the opportunity to introduce their organisations and identify possible areas for cooperation, while working groups and networking activities encouraged further exchanges among participants and companies from the DITECFER ecosystem.
From discussion to industrial applications
The second day focused on the Tuscan railway ecosystem and included visits to Hitachi Rail GTS Italia in Sesto Fiorentino and Knorr Bremse Rail Systems Italia in Campi Bisenzio.
At Hitachi Rail GTS Italia, the programme provided insights into advanced technologies applied to tramway systems. One of the solutions presented in the event material was the “Autonomous Tram AI”, integrating Artificial Intelligence with autonomous positioning, obstacle detection and sensor-fusion technologies.
At Knorr Bremse Rail Systems Italia, attention turned to the implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies in production processes. The programme highlighted investments in testing activities and internal logistics, together with the role of employee upskilling and reskilling in ensuring an effective adoption of new technologies.
These industrial visits complemented the first day’s discussions by showing how advanced technologies can be translated into concrete solutions for production and management processes in the railway sector.
Connecting SMEs across European industrial ecosystems
The Tuscany Learning Expedition combined technology insights, company visits and networking opportunities, creating a setting in which participants could exchange experiences and explore potential applications of advanced technologies in their own organisations.
Through activities such as Learning Expeditions, IDEALIST supports the uptake of advanced technologies, stronger cooperation between traditional and tech-savvy companies, and more resilient and interconnected European industrial ecosystems.
For more information, contact info@idealist-project.eu