The international Innovation Day 2025 conference, co-organized by SRIP ACS+, SRIP Top Factories of the Future, the Jožef Stefan Institute, and EIT Manufacturing, brought together experts, researchers, and leading industry representatives from across Europe. Participants explored key trends and technologies, shaping the future of automotive manufacturing.
This year’s conference focused on advanced manufacturing technologies for the automotive industry. Slovenia, recognized for its innovative component suppliers, smart high-quality manufacturing solutions, and highly digitalized, automated, and robotized systems, provides an environment that drives the transformation of production toward an advanced, digitalized, connected, and sustainable green future—with an emphasis on research, innovation, and manufacturing excellence.
The full-day event, divided into four panels, hosted experts from Slovenia and abroad, linking key areas of advanced manufacturing through a comprehensive overview of emerging technologies, industrial challenges, and innovation pathways that collectively shape the future of the automotive industry. The professional and broader public gained insights into the latest trends, knowledge, innovations, and industrial case studies—from pioneering achievements in automotive production to the use of artificial intelligence and robotic concepts.
The first panel, Future Manufacturing Technologies in the Vehicle Industry, focused on the transition to intelligent and sustainable production systems for the automotive sector. It addressed new approaches to research and development that support a competitive European automotive ecosystem, explored the challenges faced by startups during digital transformation, and presented revolutionary concepts for future manufacturing technologies that redefine adaptability, sustainability, and innovation.
The second panel, Competitiveness of the European Automotive Manufacturing, highlighted the strategic role of robotics and smart automation in strengthening Europe’s industrial position. As a core element of Industry 4.0, robotics enhances productivity, precision, and adaptability, enabling the shift toward smarter and more flexible production systems. The panel demonstrated how robotics contributes to leadership and global competitiveness in Europe’s automotive industry.
The third panel, Quality as a Key Factor of the Automotive Industry, provided insights into the critical role of precision, reliability, and continuous improvement in maintaining competitiveness. It emphasized AI-supported computer vision, innovative approaches to optimizing production lines, and the use of advanced platforms and systems for planning—all of which improve quality and process stability.
The fourth and final panel, Digital Technologies in Vehicle Production Processes, explored the transformative impact of digitalization and artificial intelligence on vehicle manufacturing. Participants learned about the challenges and opportunities arising from next-generation production approaches, advanced engineering, software integration, and the use of digital twins as the foundation for data-driven planning, monitoring, and optimization of vehicle production processes.
The conference significantly united companies, universities, research institutions, and innovation communities, collectively building the future of European industry on the foundations of excellence, creativity, and collaboration. We strengthened the dialogue between industry and the R&D sector, accelerated the transfer of innovations into practice, and deepened international cooperation as a key driver of industrial transformation. The challenges of modern manufacturing demand a joint response, based on expertise, openness, and mutual inspiration.
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Additional information: SRIP ACS+, Erik Blatnik, 01/ 236 17 35, erik.blatnik@acs-giz.si
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The automotive industry in Slovenia generates approximately 10% of the GDP and almost 25% of Slovenian exports (source: SPIRIT Slovenia). All members of SRIP ACS+, including all areas of mobility, contribute more than 17% to Slovenian GDP. Our members generate more than 8 billion euros in annual revenue, most of them operating as tier 1 and 2 suppliers to global vehicle manufacturers. Annually, SRIP ACS+ members receive more than 25% of all awarded innovations of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia originating from the automotive industry.