with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Santhad Chuwongin

(Head of the Joint Government–Private Sector Research Center
Faculty of Integrated Innovative Technology
King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang)

In a world where technology is advancing rapidly, “Future Technology” is often associated with AI, robotics, and intelligent systems. But in manufacturing, being advanced is not enough. What truly matters is whether the technology can solve real problems and create measurable improvements.

In this episode of Business Builders by RX BITEC, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Santad Chuwong shares his perspective on what defines Future Technology and how it is transforming industrial production.

From Innovation to Real-World Impact

Future Technology should help manufacturers work faster, more accurately, and more efficiently while reducing waste, downtime, and operational risks.

Technologies such as AI, Robotics, IoT, and Data Analytics are increasingly working together to create smarter factories. AI can support quality inspection and decision-making, Collaborative Robots can work safely alongside people, IoT can connect machines and processes, while Predictive Maintenance can help anticipate problems before equipment fails.

The factory of the future is therefore not simply more automated. It is a system that can see, understand, decide, and adapt through data.

From “Can It Work?” to “Can It Scale?”

Technologies such as Digital Twin, Generative AI, and Industry 4.0 are moving beyond experimentation and into real industrial applications.

Manufacturers are no longer asking only whether a technology works. They are asking whether it can scale, operate reliably, deliver measurable value, and be applied effectively in real production environments.

This is also what separates Future Tech from conventional automation. A future-ready system should not only perform tasks automatically, but also use data to support decisions, improve processes, and create possibilities for wider application.

Future Tech Must Be Human-Centric

Future Technology should also be designed around people.

AI, Cobots, and Autonomous Mobile Robots can take on repetitive, physically demanding, or high-risk tasks, allowing people to focus on work that requires greater skills and value.

The goal is not to remove people from manufacturing, but to create an environment where people and technology work better together.

Future Tech Should Be Within Reach

Advanced technology should not be limited to large manufacturers. More affordable computing devices and Low-Code platforms are making AI and automation increasingly accessible to SMEs.

The key is not to start with the most expensive or sophisticated technology, but to begin with the problem that needs to be solved and choose the right solution for it.

Innovation Opens the Door. Practicality Takes You Through.

For Assoc. Prof. Dr. Santad, Future Technology must be innovative, but only “as advanced as necessary” to deliver meaningful improvements.

A truly future-ready technology should be practical, scalable, reliable, and capable of solving real industrial challenges.

This philosophy is at the heart of Future Tech @ METALEX 2026, an initiative that discovers and spotlights technologies, innovations, and solutions with the potential to advance the future of manufacturing.

Discover Future Tech at METALEX 2026, 18–21 November 2026 at BITEC, Bangkok.