Simulation and forecasting technologies (S&FT): gaps and challenges for their future role in manufacturing

This paper presents research gaps and challenges related to the use of simulation and forecasting technologies (S&FT) as a lever to increase performance of the manufacturing of the future. Gaps and challenges have been identified within the EU-funded Pathfinder project aimed at developing a roadmap for driving the research agenda in the S&FT field. They have been derived from the analysis of the state-of-the-art and state of practice and then validated with experts. The overall conceptual architecture of the roadmap is presented in order to highlight how gaps and challenges concur to its definition.