The Institute of Systems and Technologies for Sustainable Production (ISTePS) is a research entity within the Department of Innovative Technologies (DTI) at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI). ISTePS focuses on applied research and technological innovation in the design and management of production systems, emphasizing the advancement of manufacturing systems, production processes, products, and business models. The institute’s research areas include intelligent automation, sustainable manufacturing and circular economy, human-centered production systems, industrial technologies and systems for additive manufacturing and laser processing, and robotic and modular production systems. ISTePS operates two primary laboratories: Automation, Robotics, and Machines (ARM), which designs systems, cells, robots, machines, and autonomous or collaborative devices for product manufacturing and repair, integrating innovative technologies; and Sustainable Production Systems (SPS), which develops methods and tools to support the digital transformation of production systems, their sustainable management, and business models. The institute aims to stimulate innovation in manufacturing systems, processes, products, management, and business models, supporting companies in addressing digitalization challenges from economic, environmental, and social perspectives, thereby enhancing competitiveness and added value, reducing consumption and emissions, and improving health, safety, and well-being for workers and consumers. ISTePS offers various services to the industrial sector, including the integration of customized production management platforms, development of intelligent automated systems incorporating Industry 4.0 principles of modularity and flexibility, design and optimization of processes for metallic components produced via additive manufacturing, and development of industrial solutions based on robots, cobots, and mobile platforms. The institute maintains collaborations with local, national, and international partners, both industrial and academic, primarily through publicly funded applied research projects and direct mandates.
