Smart manufacturing, which is a crucial part of industry 4.0, is a broad category of manufacturing that employs computer-integrated manufacturing, high levels of adaptability and rapid design changes, digital information technology, and more flexible technical workforce training. Other goals sometimes include fast changes in production levels based on demand, optimization of the supply chain, efficient production, and recyclability. In this concept, a smart factory has interoperable systems, multi-scale dynamic modeling and simulation, intelligent automation, strong cyber security, and networked sensors. Shortly, a tangible manifestation of Industry 4.0 lies in smart manufacturing. 

In this report, over 11,000 patent applications filed worldwide between 2011 and 2021 in the field of smart manufacturing were examined.