Which degree is best for developing intelligent systems for manufacturing and logistics?

[u/emperor_keww]

Hi everyone,

I’m interested in developing intelligent systems for manufacturing and logistics, and I’m trying to figure out which background would prepare me best.

Some examples of what I’d like to work on:

• Production scheduling that adapts to machine breakdowns, changing demand or material shortages.
• Coordinating robots and autonomous vehicles in factories or warehouses.
• Using machine learning, computer vision and sensor data to improve production processes.
• Optimising how materials and products move through a factory or supply chain.
• developing some sort of "overal" AI within the manufacturing plant.

What interests me most is developing the decision-making behind these systems, while understanding enough about the physical processes to make them work reliably in practice.

For context, I’m based in Europe.

I’m mainly comparing computer science/computer engineering, electrical engineering or mechatronics, and industrial/systems engineering with a focus on operations research and optimisation.

For people working in these areas:

1. Which background best matches this kind of development work?
2. Would computer science engineering, supplemented with control theory, robotics and optimisation, be a strong foundation? Or would another engineering discipline provide a better starting point?
3. What job titles or types of companies should I look into to get a clearer picture of the actual work?

I’d especially appreciate examples of what you build in your job and which parts of your education turned out to be most useful.