HW Technologies has delivered and installed Smart Klaus operator assistance systems for Western Sydney University‘s Factory of the Future, officially opened in December 2025 at the Bankstown City campus.
Supporting Advanced Manufacturing Education
The Factory of the Future represents a national benchmark for manufacturing innovation in Australia, bringing together advanced technologies, applied research, and workforce development in one integrated facility. Located across the ground floor and level 1 of the Bankstown City campus, the facility provides hands-on learning experiences in robotics, 3D printing, and advanced manufacturing systems for students, researchers, and the wider community.
HW Technologies supplied Smart Klaus operator assistance systems for the facility’s electronics assembly line, supporting both student training and actual production operations. The AI-powered system guides students through complex assembly processes whilst providing real-time quality control and documentation.
Smart Klaus in Action
Students at the Factory of the Future will use Smart Klaus to assemble medical devices, learning industry-standard processes through hands-on experience. The system provides step-by-step guidance for placing components—devices, chargers, USB cords, and accessories—into colour-coded boxes in specified order and position. Camera-based verification confirms each step before allowing progression, providing immediate feedback on placement accuracy and completeness.
Quinn Do, a Western Sydney University student, demonstrated the system during the facility opening, assembling medical devices using Smart Klaus guidance. The task involved ensuring each component was packed in the correct sequence and position, mirroring the precision required in regulated manufacturing environments.
Beyond training applications, Smart Klaus performs actual device assembly at the facility, demonstrating how operator assistance systems integrate workforce development with production quality control. This dual-purpose approach reflects real manufacturing environments where such systems reduce error rates whilst accelerating training for new employees.
Technology That Bridges Training and Production
Smart Klaus uses camera-based image processing and artificial intelligence to support employees across multiple stages of the manufacturing value chain—from incoming goods inspection to assembly, electronics production, and order picking. The system’s modular design allows flexible integration into different production processes whilst maintaining consistent quality verification and documentation.
Key capabilities include:
- Real-time quality verification – AI-powered cameras check each assembly step, detecting incorrect placement, missing components, or wrong sequences
- Immediate feedback – Visual and acoustic signals guide operators through corrections, reducing errors and accelerating learning
- Complete documentation – Automatic recording of each work step provides the traceability required in medical device manufacturing and other regulated industries
- Flexible configuration – Modular hardware and software adapt to different assembly processes and production requirements
Supporting Australia’s Manufacturing Future
The Factory of the Future was officially opened by Vice-Chancellor and President Distinguished Professor George Williams AO, alongside Federal Minister for Education, the Hon. Jason Clare MP, with industry and community leaders in attendance.
“Factory of the Future will give students hands-on experience with advanced manufacturing technologies, from collaborative robotics and 3D printing to immersive digital twins and simulation. It will prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Professor Williams.
Federal Minister for Education Jason Clare MP noted the facility’s significance: “Western Sydney University has brought the future to Bankstown. The things students will learn and use here will help create the country we are going to live in.”
The facility connects Western Sydney manufacturing businesses to advanced equipment, research expertise, and industry collaborations, helping manufacturers transition to smart manufacturing environments. Through partnerships with technology providers including Autodesk, Hexagon, Omron, and Microsoft, the Factory of the Future helps manufacturers optimise products and processes, improve productivity, and bridge workforce skills gaps.
HW Technologies’ Role
HW Technologies delivered, installed, and commissioned the Smart Klaus systems for the Factory of the Future project. Our team provided setup support and training to ensure the equipment serves both educational and production purposes effectively.
This project demonstrates how advanced operator assistance technology prepares students for modern manufacturing environments whilst supporting actual production operations. Students gain practical experience with the same AI-powered guidance systems deployed across electronics manufacturing, medical device production, automotive assembly, and logistics operations worldwide.
The Factory of the Future represents the type of manufacturing capability Australia needs to compete globally—combining workforce development, applied research, and industry collaboration with advanced technology. HW Technologies is pleased to support this initiative through the provision of Smart Klaus operator assistance systems.
About Smart Klaus
Smart Klaus is an intelligent operator assistance system manufactured by Optimum GmbH, Germany. The camera-based system uses augmented reality and artificial intelligence, and advanced image processing to guide employees through manual production processes, reducing error rates and improving quality across incoming goods, assembly, electronics production, and order picking operations.
The system has demonstrated significant quality improvements in production environments, with customers reporting error rate reductions from 1,500 ppm to zero in component assembly applications.
Learn more about Smart Klaus: www.optimum-gmbh.de/en
About Factory of the Future
Western Sydney University’s Factory of the Future is an integrated facility combining advanced manufacturing technologies, applied research, and workforce development. The facility features collaborative robotics, 3D printing, CNC machining, immersive AR/VR training, and advanced electronics assembly equipment.
Located at the Bankstown City campus, the facility serves students, researchers, and Western Sydney manufacturing businesses, providing access to advanced equipment, research expertise, and industry collaboration opportunities.
Learn more: www.westernsydney.edu.au/factory-of-the-future
For more information about Smart Klaus operator assistance systems or HW Technologies’ manufacturing solutions, contact our team: https://hwtechnologies.com.au/contact-us/