INDUSTRY SCENARIO – TEXTILE

AI-assisted on-the-job training for textile workers

Objectives and Background

Reduce the time and cost of machine operator trainings

Maintain the worker’s autonomy vs. unquestioned execution of instructions

Exploit and spread the concept and solution

The Piacenza textile use case focusses on the implementation of COALA Digital Intelligent Assistant (DIA) to support the machine operators, who use their skills and knowledge to prepare and supervise machine operations under strict consideration of the product quality. One of the key problems in luxury fashion is the shortage of qualified labour force that can produce high quality and high value textiles. To cope with this challange, a local textile school Città Studi created an academia to train the new generation of workers to face the requirements of the market.

The textile use case addresses the shortage of qualified labor force with an innovative solution that will reduce the time and cost of machine operator trainings. It focuses on the development and demonstration of a didactic concept for professional textile workers that develops their competencies in working with AI-based systems, such as a digital assistant.

Expected Impacts

  • 30% increase of productivity of new employees involved in the quality detection and repair

  • 50% reduction of undetected defects delivered through improved training and quality of work

  • 20% reduction of human-caused defects not possible to fix through better operator training

  • 30% reduction of the poor quality costs

Business Scenario #1:

AI-assisted on-the-job training for machine operators

This scenario will address the shortage of qualified labor force with an innovative solution that will reduce the time and cost of machine operator trainings.

AS-IS situation

• Piacenza’s production strategy bases on the strict and integrated control of production 

• Machine operators use their skills and knowledge to prepare and supervise machine operations

TO-BE situation

• The COALA solution will allow machine operators to request advices, explanations, and other information

• Identify the worker’s current skill level, and advice how to prepare and operate a machine

• Adapt advising behavior according to skill and human feedback about the learning experience

• Access shop floor context information, e.g., parameters, performance, and production planning

• Workers can ask “why” questions about advices

• Anonymization service to avoid personal data issues

• Allow textile companies to employ less skilled workers

• Reduce defects through improved worker training

Business Scenario #2:

Development of AI competencies of manufacturing workers

This scenario focuses on the development and demonstration of a didactic concept for professional textile workers that develops their competencies in working with AI-based systems, such as the digital assistant developed in scenario #1.

AS-IS situation

• Textile industry faces shortage of qualified labour force

• Città Studi created an academia to train the new generation of textile workers

• Città Studi academy courses include theory and practice

TO-BE situation

• COALA’s didactic concept will improve the professional textile workers’ AI competencies

• Educate regarding opportunities, challenges, and risks when collaborating with AI

• Spread the didactic concept and our solution in the region + outside the textile sector

• Transfer of the concept via Digital Innovation Hubs

• Cost/benefit analysis during exploitation to verify the affordability for SMEs