NIST - National Institute of Standards and Technology

10/27/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/28/2026 03:14

Research Challenges in Industrial Technology and Impediments to its Adoption

Published
October 27, 2026

Author(s)

Chuck Werner, William Harrison, Pavlo Piliptchak

Abstract

New technology understood and implemented by industry is responsible for many of the improvements to our daily lives. The creation of new technology is a non-linear cycle born of necessity and incremental progress. Industry creates its own new technology when needed only when the resources are available. Academia on the other hand creates new technology as a matter of course. When the needs of industry are clearly communicated to academia and the advancements of academia are implemented by industry a synergy is formed. This article presents the needs of industry from an industry perspective. Facilitated by industry engagements conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, this article represents the perspectives and experience of Chuck Werner from the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center who has worked with hundreds of manufacturers for more than 30 years. The challenges of industry are presented here to aid academics in justifying their research and clearly stating areas of needed research. The article also provides contextual understanding of the challenges to adopting new technology as well as the perspective of small to medium size manufacturers who would most benefit from academic research.
Citation
NIST AMS Robotics and Automation Subseries - 700-1
Report Number
700-1
Pub Type
NIST Pubs

Keywords

Automation, Industry, Manufacturing, Robotics

Citation

Werner, C. , Harrison, W. and Piliptchak, P. (2026), Research Challenges in Industrial Technology and Impediments to its Adoption, NIST AMS Robotics and Automation Subseries, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.AMS.700-1, https://nps-ext.nist.gov/nps/nps_public_api/api/Publication/file/961349 (Accessed October 28, 2026)
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Issues

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NIST - National Institute of Standards and Technology published this content on October 27, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 28, 2026 at 09:14 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]