To ensure continuous innovation growth as part of its digital transformation and its adoption of “Industry 4.0” smart production, Thales Alenia Space is pursuing its FabLab approach to keep pace with industrial disruption in the space sector.

The CRATOS collaborative robot unveiled in November is another recent example of a smart production initiative in the company's L'Aquila plant.

Thales Alenia Space describes the FabLab as a digital incubator, accessible to all employees, with free access dedicated to boosting creativity and innovation through simulation and prototyping while complementing the existing industrial organisation by connecting people and activities.

Following the first FabLab in Toulouse, a new FabLab has been inaugurated in Rome.

The FabLab in Rome is a fast prototyping laboratory open to all employees to foster their inventiveness in order to develop new inventions, solutions and technologies. The Lab offers fast prototyping resources, including hardware and software.

It is organised in four different areas: Brainstorming, Fabrication, Augmented Reality and Digital. It is available for any activities, whether professional or personal, aiming at prototyping, experimenting, testing, simulating, materialising ideas.

The FabLab is also open to collaboration with Universities, Research Centres and SMEs and will focus on the development of innovative solutions and research programmes, as well as training activities. The company says that additional FabLabs are planned in the near future.