The MTA SZTAKI smart factory: Platform for research and project-oriented skill development in higher education

Nowadays, the potential of learning factories as test beds and research plants is gaining recognition, and several facilities are extended or built up already with these complementing purposes in mind - among them the Smart Factory at the Fraunhofer Project Center at MTA SZTAKI currently completing a major stage of development. The paper presents the structure and key design principles of the plant, and explains how the composition and functionalities of the equipment implement focal principles of the Industry 4.0 and Cyber-Physical Systems concepts. Furthermore, it is shown how the Smart Factory provides students with challenges and resources for project-oriented development of their skills, and where these opportunities fit into technical higher education by hosting both individual student projects and courses with a specific structure of progress.