<p>Agent technology represents a novel paradigm for developing intelligent manufacturing and industrial automation systems. During the past 25 years, a significant number of researchers and practitioners have been trying to apply intelligent software agents in the areas of engineering design, collabrative intelligent manufacturing, supply chain management, and smart product services. Recent developments and fast advancements of Cloud/Fog/Edge Computing, Internet of Things, Cyber-Physical Systems, Digital Twins, Big Data, and Blockchains provide new opportunities for applications of intelligent software agents in intelligent manufacturing and industrial automation, but also bring a lot of new research challenges. This talk presents some first-hand experience in developing agent-based collaborative design and manufacturing technologies and systems, and discusses future trends, R&D opportunities and challenges.</p>
