The visit to Italy followed directly after the German study tour. The Lithuanian delegation spent a full day in Bairo near Turin, on October 21st touring the FIAT Research Centre (Centro Ricerche Fiat – CRF) and the automotive component manufacturer Iltar-Italbox. The agenda included presentations on Stellantis’ technology-development and testing processes, on-site demonstrations of a MODAPTO-enabled pick-and-place assembly line, and discussions with engineers responsible for system design and validation.
The goal was to gain insight into flexible manufacturing solutions that allow automotive components to be assembled according to individual customer configurations. Participants observed a pilot automated line developed jointly by CRF and Iltar-Italbox, which uses digital-twin models to support remote monitoring and ensure consistent accuracy across different product variations.
The Italian study visit brought together additional group of representatives, including Lithuanian Innovation Center project managers Linas Eriksonas and Sigitas Besigirskas, along with representatives from LAUGEA member companies: ABF LT, Airbag, Detagama, Jubana, and Laurema Graphics
The delegation consisted of executives, engineers, and R&D specialists responsible for production innovation, robotics integration, and long-term investment planning within their respective companies. Their expertise allowed for in-depth discussions on both the strategic and technical aspects of flexible and automated manufacturing systems.
Reactions and comments from the participants on study visit
Participants highlighted the Italy study visit as a highly valuable opportunity to deepen their understanding of Modular Adaptive Production (MODAPTO) concepts and solutions. One of the project managers from Lithuanian Innovation Centre noted that the visit significantly increased their comprehension of how modular and flexible production systems can be applied in practice.
A few other delegates from LAUGEA companies found the demonstrations at the FIAT Research Centre and Iltar-Italbox particularly valuable, as they showcased advanced automated and flexible production lines. Experiencing the pilot systems firsthand also provided insights into digital-twin technologies, pick-and-place assembly, and strategies for implementing flexible manufacturing processes.
Participants also shared suggestions for future improvements. One recommended sharing the demonstration slides and simulations via the cloud prior to the visit, to allow delegates to familiarize themselves with the concepts in advance. Another participant mentioned that some of the information was presented at a very high level, and additional practical details or examples could enhance understanding for future study visits.
“MODAPTO – in football terms, it is a step from the local league to the UEFA Champions League. Digital twins in production are a natural phenomenon, without which production is often unimaginable. But experiencing the projects carried out by the FIAT Research Center or FFT Produktionssysteme GmbH & Co., where they collaborate with manufacturers such as Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, the Stellantis Group, and leading aviation companies, is like running out onto the field to play alongside Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, or Robert Lewandowski,” remarked Sigitas Besagirskas from Lithuanian Innovation Center.
Overall, feedback reflected strong satisfaction with the visit, emphasizing the practical learning opportunities and the inspiration gained for applying MODAPTO solutions within participants’ own companies.
Strengthening Collaboration and Supporting Future Development in Lithuania
Across this study visit, as well as the one at FFT Produktionssysteme highlighted in a previous blog post, both Lithuanian Innovation Center and delegates from LAUGEA companies gained a very valuable exposure to real-world implementations of robotics, automation, and digital-twin technologies. These experiences provided participants with a deeper understanding of how European leaders in the automotive sector are using data-driven methods to strengthen efficiency, sustainability, and process stability.
The visits also reinforced the importance of:
cooperation between industry and research,
cross-border exchange of best practices,
and continued integration of digital tools to support modernization.
These principles align closely with the MODAPTO project’s mission to help European manufacturers, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, become more adaptable, efficient, and environmentally responsible. The insights gained in Germany and Italy will serve as a strong foundation for future pilot activities, technology adoption, and innovation-driven growth within Lithuania’s automotive and engineering sectors.
The visit to Italy followed directly after the German study tour. The Lithuanian delegation spent a full day in Bairo near Turin, on October 21st touring the FIAT Research Centre (Centro Ricerche Fiat – CRF) and the automotive component manufacturer Iltar-Italbox. The agenda included presentations on Stellantis’ technology-development and testing processes, on-site demonstrations of a MODAPTO-enabled pick-and-place assembly line, and discussions with engineers responsible for system design and validation.
The goal was to gain insight into flexible manufacturing solutions that allow automotive components to be assembled according to individual customer configurations. Participants observed a pilot automated line developed jointly by CRF and Iltar-Italbox, which uses digital-twin models to support remote monitoring and ensure consistent accuracy across different product variations.
The Italian study visit brought together additional group of representatives, including Lithuanian Innovation Center project managers Linas Eriksonas and Sigitas Besigirskas, along with representatives from LAUGEA member companies: ABF LT, Airbag, Detagama, Jubana, and Laurema Graphics
The delegation consisted of executives, engineers, and R&D specialists responsible for production innovation, robotics integration, and long-term investment planning within their respective companies. Their expertise allowed for in-depth discussions on both the strategic and technical aspects of flexible and automated manufacturing systems.
Reactions and comments from the participants on study visit
Participants highlighted the Italy study visit as a highly valuable opportunity to deepen their understanding of Modular Adaptive Production (MODAPTO) concepts and solutions. One of the project managers from Lithuanian Innovation Centre noted that the visit significantly increased their comprehension of how modular and flexible production systems can be applied in practice.
A few other delegates from LAUGEA companies found the demonstrations at the FIAT Research Centre and Iltar-Italbox particularly valuable, as they showcased advanced automated and flexible production lines. Experiencing the pilot systems firsthand also provided insights into digital-twin technologies, pick-and-place assembly, and strategies for implementing flexible manufacturing processes.
Participants also shared suggestions for future improvements. One recommended sharing the demonstration slides and simulations via the cloud prior to the visit, to allow delegates to familiarize themselves with the concepts in advance. Another participant mentioned that some of the information was presented at a very high level, and additional practical details or examples could enhance understanding for future study visits.
“MODAPTO – in football terms, it is a step from the local league to the UEFA Champions League. Digital twins in production are a natural phenomenon, without which production is often unimaginable. But experiencing the projects carried out by the FIAT Research Center or FFT Produktionssysteme GmbH & Co., where they collaborate with manufacturers such as Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, the Stellantis Group, and leading aviation companies, is like running out onto the field to play alongside Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, or Robert Lewandowski,” remarked Sigitas Besagirskas from Lithuanian Innovation Center.
Overall, feedback reflected strong satisfaction with the visit, emphasizing the practical learning opportunities and the inspiration gained for applying MODAPTO solutions within participants’ own companies.
Strengthening Collaboration and Supporting Future Development in Lithuania
Across this study visit, as well as the one at FFT Produktionssysteme highlighted in a previous blog post, both Lithuanian Innovation Center and delegates from LAUGEA companies gained a very valuable exposure to real-world implementations of robotics, automation, and digital-twin technologies. These experiences provided participants with a deeper understanding of how European leaders in the automotive sector are using data-driven methods to strengthen efficiency, sustainability, and process stability.
The visits also reinforced the importance of:
cooperation between industry and research,
cross-border exchange of best practices,
and continued integration of digital tools to support modernization.
These principles align closely with the MODAPTO project’s mission to help European manufacturers, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, become more adaptable, efficient, and environmentally responsible. The insights gained in Germany and Italy will serve as a strong foundation for future pilot activities, technology adoption, and innovation-driven growth within Lithuania’s automotive and engineering sectors.