Toys market in EU (and globally) is characterized by the domination of a limited number of huge global brands, even though 99% of EU toy manufacturing companies are SMEs. Thus SMEs need to find new ways to strengthen their position, against large competitors. In this context, ToyLabs envisions to introduce a new model that will innovate on the value network of SMEs, towards the direction of changing their market positioning & prospects in the Toy Industry, overcoming obstacles like geographical barriers and fragmented markets. In particular, a multi-stakeholder co-creation network will be created, supported via an open ICT platform, that will bring together a toy manufacturer with other key players of the toy industry value network – FabLabs, Toy Security Experts and End Customers- to collaborate closely for the provision of new toys, that will be user-oriented, will respond to a clear market demand and will be probably addressed to multiple markets. Through ToyLabs approach, each involved stakeholder is expected to offer his valuable perspective that will open up new opportunities for SMEs. Taking advantage of the platform, a toy manufacturer will be able to collect multi-source feedback on new product concepts & designs, through iterative cycles where the initial idea is firstly co-designed with FabLabs, validated by toy safety experts and evaluated by prospective customers both virtually (via augmented reality technologies) and actually (based on prototypes). The main outcomes of the project will be the creation of the ToyLabs collaboration network, based on an innovative ICT enterprise collaboration platform, enriched with added value services utilising state-of-play emerging ICT technologies (e.g. social analytics, augmented reality) and a complete methodological approach to support the operation of the network in order to offer to any SME Toy Manufacturer the opportunity to initiate an alternative process for the creation of new, innovative products.

<< Objectives >>This project aims to place vocational training at the forefront of Europe by combining emerging disciplines such as artificial intelligence and the internet of things with robotics and to go a step further with industry 4.0. This project aims to cover real needs in the home automation, industrial maintenance, and automotive sectors with new skills, and according to platforms such as LinkedIn, these types of jobs are at the forefront behind healthcare.<< Implementation >>These activities will consist of the realization of different projects by the educational centers, in which they will apply robotics in them, complementing them with the help of artificial intelligence and industry 4.0 to provide these projects with innovation and acquire the necessary knowledge to access the labor market, in addition students will carry out mobilities to other centers in Europe where they can exchange knowledge and work philosophies, in addition to learning about new cultures.<< Results >>The most interesting results are the acquisition of new knowledge and intellectual value that will allow companies to benefit from trained professionals needed in their sectors, in addition to the fact that teachers will also have this new training that they will be able to offer to new promotions. And the main advantage of these results is the homogenization of knowledge at the Erasmus+ level, expanding the possibilities of students beyond their borders.

When the idea of a Third Industrial Revolution has not yet been digested, the Fourth Industrial Revolution has already been coined to accommodate the concept of Industry 4.0. When the advances of Additive Manufacturing/3D printing, Robotics or Artificial Intelligence, among others, have not yet been fixed, Intelligent Factories are mentioned, where Cyber-Physical Systems, the Internet of Things, Big Data, the Cloud and the Exchange of Data between machines will allow the evolution towards a greater automation of the industry.This project covers all possible approaches by incorporating all the actors involved as partners, facilitating the formation of new technicians who will develop new products. This project aims to integrate Additive Manufacturing and 3D printers with Mechatronics as a perfect complement to students to acquire knowledge that positions them in emerging Industry 4.0 concepts, bringing together eight qualified partners in various fields that will provide their expert vision.AIJU, as coordinator, has been working in Additive Manufacturing for nearly 25 years. AIJU was pioneered with the acquisition of the first Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) machine in Spain for the rapid manufacture of prototypes. Currently it has more than ten machines (of different technologies: DLP, FDM, SLA, SLS, POLIJET, SLM) covering any range of materials, both metallic, acrylic plastics and thermostable plastics. The Consortium has two small companies (TALLERIES TIBI and BERZOSA INJECTION MOLDS) that use traditional tooling manufacturing and that are starting to integrate the precepts of Industry 4.0, as well as being active companies in the training of new technicians. These companies provide the industrial point of view. On the other hand, there are two Fablabs (START SMART SRL and SPOT DESIGN SRL) that provide the entrepreneurial point of view and new possibilities that these technologies offer. The educational focus is given by two VET centres (CIFP DON BOSCO LHII and SOLSKI CENTER KRSKO SEVNICA) that work in the field of mechanics, electricity and electronics. Finally, the Consortium is completed with an expert partner (EURO-NET) that will evaluate, adapt and ensure that the contents developed adapt to the ECVET, European credit recognition system.In this context, the target group of the project are both teachers and students of VET schools, as well as business professionals who need to be retrained and unemployed people who need to acquire new knowledge and skills to enter the labour market.The project will have four Intellectual Outputs:- O1: an eLearning platform that will be used by students as a knowledge base for their developments (led by the coordinator)- O2: a training module for the design of parts and supports for 3D printing with a database of 40 reference pieces developed (led by the fablabs)- O3: a module of mechatronics applied to industry 4.0 with 20 demonstrators (led by the small companies)- O4: a demonstration project of integration of a 3D printing development, mechatronics and programming for the creation of a humanoid robot (led by the VET centres)