Study Visit in Kortrijk, Belgium: Exploring Data & Its Challenges

The first study visit took place in Kortrijk, Belgium, on Graaf Karel de Goedelaan. This street—also known as the Tech Lane—hosts three different Living Labs centred around the themes of food, technology, and digital or deep-tech, making it a unique location for our first study visit.

During the visits to the different Living Labs in Kortrijk, data emerged as the common thread across all three labs. Its relevance was repeatedly highlighted, underscoring the importance of data in various contexts: a production line, a production facility, and a Living Lab environment.

The Living Labs we visited and what made them noteworthy:

• VEG-i-TEC offered pilot infrastructure and scientific expertise to the vegetable and potato processing industry, driving innovation by bridging academic research with industrial practice. Their focus included product and process optimisation, ‘Smart Food’ applications, circularity, and sustainable water management. They supported efficient resource use, by-product valorisation, and innovative solutions for a sustainable future.
• Sirris, located in the House of Manufacturing, had installed the 'Industrie 4.0 Made Real Experience Center' with a focus on 'smart assembly'. Here, companies were able to gain hands-on experience with the latest smart assembly technologies, test new ideas, and collaborate in co-creation with guidance from other research labs.
• Flanders Make acted as a co-creation centre supporting companies in their transition to smart, digital factories using cutting-edge Industry 4.0 technologies. Their focus included digital twins, smart robotics, and automation, with a central role given to the human operator.

The study visit focused on data-related challenges. Key topics included data capturing methodologies (e.g., sensors and machine builders), data monitoring and visualisation, and data architecture and management. Discussions also addressed data ownership, confidentiality, and the ways in which various challenges had been or were being tackled.

Additionally, the demonstrations showcased different operational roles—such as supervisors, operators, cobots, warehouses, and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs)—highlighting how real-time data influenced their tasks and decision-making.