RIF BioRobotics Institute

Italy: Tuscany

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

The BioRobotics Institute is one of the core partners of ECHORD++ Consortium. It represents a research park specifically created by Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna to better house the research activities and to favour technology transfer. It is equipped with laboratories and research centres for one of ECHORD++’s RIF. It is located at the Polo Sant’Anna Valdera, which also houses an office of the Italian Institute of Technology (MicroBioRobotics Center). Most of the scenarios proposed in ECHORD++’s RIFs will be held in Facilities located in Peccioli area and in the Service Robotics and Green Robotics- Ambient Assisted Living(AAL) Laboratory. The BioRobotics Institute also provides different services such as external facilities as real testing bed enviroment, its own laboratories in the eight research areas, the connection with the joint laboratories all over Italy and the chance to collaborate with SSSA’ Spin Offs. Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

Reutlingen University Werk150

Germany: Baden-Württemberg

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

Werk150 was founded in 2011 and is the factory of ESB Business School on the campus of Reutlingen University.

The facility is used for application-oriented research and knowledge transfer in training, continuing education, demonstration of solutions in the areas of Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital twin. We train future experts in the environment of innovative technologies.

At Werk150, we demonstrate, plan and design:

demonstrators for know-how transfer - making Industry 4.0 potential visible,
the use of cloud-based tools for service-oriented collaborative engineering,
smart automation solutions in logistics,
blockchain solutions in the supply chain,
agile value creation structures and processes,
hybrid work and production systems,
methods and tools for planning and realizing future-proof factories, production systems and warehouses,
solutions for the cost-optimal design of logistics supply at the strategic (location and production strategies), tactical ( adaptability and robustness) and operational (dynamics and flexibility) levels,
solutions with 5G private networks in production and logistics (Werk150 has a full 5G standalone private network).

Werk150 is a research facility of Reutlingen University. The results of applied research are continuously integrated into teaching. As a non-profit institution, it supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the implementation of innovation and research tasks. The ESB Business School factory does not pursue any commercial goals or economic interest. Projects are publicly funded or privately realized on cost basis.

Our task as an applied research institution is to bring new developments and innovations from science into application and thus to sustainably support small and medium-sized enterprises in their innovation potential. Through research projects, such as the 5G4KMU project funded by the state of Baden-Württemberg, Werk150 supports companies in their digital transformation.

Werk150's activities to support local SMEs include:

Objective advice as independent scientists, as well as low-risk and low-threshold access to new technologies and infrastructures.
Development of new products and applications using Werk150's state-of-the-art infrastructure under real test conditions.
Research and realization of new business models through feasibility studies and workshops.
Prototypical implementation and testing of project ideas with the support of highly qualified personnel.
Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

Réseau LIEU – LIaisons Entreprises-Universités

Belgium: Walloon Region

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

The LIEU network brings together the Knowledge Transfer Offices (KTOs) of Belgian French-speaking Universities and Higher Education Institutions. The mission of the KTOs is to stimulate and facilitate cooperation between scientific communities and companies in terms of collaborative research, services and knowledge transfer. The LIEU network aims to create a forum where businesses and researchers can enter a dialogue to build trusting relationships. The advisors of the LIEU network act as go-betweens for businesses and researchers, analyzing the business’ needs in order to direct them to the best available solution, and facilitate their cooperation with appropriate academic researchers. The main services provided to companies are divided in three categories: • INFORM: provide to company a concise and consolidated information on the available scientific skills, services and facilities, • COOPERATE: provide to company a tailored support to find a research partner and to establish a business/research partnership, • NETWORK: organize business/research events to stimulate new contacts and give an opportunity to learn about technological and societal advances. The LIEU network forms a unique ecosystem that successfully promotes interactions between various research and innovation professionals. Therefore, LIEU maintains close relationships with all the members of the Walloon Digital Innovation Hub (DIH Digital Wallonia.be), especially the RTOs, the incubator/accelerator, the industry and cluster organizations, the economic development agencies and the regional government. Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

Research Center for Informatics

Czechia: Prague

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

Research Center for Informatics (RCI) Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) operates under the Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU) and focuses on the following topics: artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision and pattern recognition, robotics and autonomous systems, parallel computing for large data analysis, theoretical computer science, bioinformatics, medical information processing, graphics, visualization and HCI, and embedded security. RCI excellence is based on the existing impact in the research and application areas.

This research output stands on top of high quantity of research results published at international conferences and workshop, where the researchers will collect feedback from the community and will spread reputation of RCI. RCI members have founded Open Informatics, a unique in the Czech Republic, research oriented computer science undergraduate and master degree at CTU that features fields of study such as: Software, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Games, Embedded Systems, Computer Grpahics, Software Engineering, Data Science, Cyber Security, Bioinformatics, Computer Vision and Human-Computer Interaction.

RCI is involved in international collaborations with leading research centers in respective areas. Just examples of our key partners are the following: ETH Zurich, Switzerland, University of Oulu, Finland, University of Surrey, UK, Microsoft Research Cambridge, UK (MCR) and North Carolina University at Chapel Hill (NCU), TECHNION I.I.T., Israel, Oxford University, United Kingdom, University of Edinburgh, Center for Intelligent Systems and Applications, AIAI, Stanford University and more others, see our web pages for more details.

RCI enables valuable cross sector collaborations that better facilitates transition of research excellence across different partners from research and application areas. Currently existing core of industrial partners are for example: Valeo, Adobe, IBM, CISCO, Microsoft Research, OPTIMITIVE S.L.U. and Foxcon. RCI has also established the Industrial Advisory Board. Besides direct industrial contracts, RCI members demonstrated capability to engage in technology transfer by means of building startup companies, so common at leading computer science departments at e.g. Stanford University, University of California at Berkeley or MIT. Throughout their career there have been established numerous successful startup companies that are either co-owned by the university or the university licensed the required IP to the startups. CISCO Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) has successfully acquired one of the CTU startup companies, Cognitive Security in 2013. As common in California, the founding professor rejoined the university soon after the transaction. Other example is Company EyeDea s.r.o, where the CTU has 10% share. Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

REIMAGINE Textile

Spain: Catalonia

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

Reimagine Textile is the network of cooperation that connects the main players in the textile industry, inviting them to re-imagine the 21st century. The new materials, production processes and channels, the proliferation of data, devices, sensors and hyperconnectivity are giving rise to a new revolution of the textile. Driven by Eurecat, the TecnoCampus Mataró and the Research and Textile Technology Transfer Centre of Canet de Mar, Reimagine Textile aims to be a key player in this revolution, bringing together textile, technology, innovation, talent, new business models, new skills, design and digitalisation. This is an ecosystem based on an open philosophy: its members cooperate, share, co-work, co-create, co-invest and connect. The 5 main lines of Reimagine Textile are technology, industry, training, entrepreneurship and investment. As a result, it is made up of companies, entrepreneurs, technology centres, Fablabs, schools of design, investors, mentors, incubators, accelerators, consultants and associations. The portfolio of services available to the members of the network include an innovation and advanced prototypes laboratory, technology radar, incubation services, technological and business acceleration, mentoring, financing, consultation and support in the market approach and new business models, as well as networking and outreach activities. Services: - Technology transfer - Innovation lab & further prototypes - Technology radar - Digitalization - Approach to market - Intensive & innovative entrepreneurship - Technology incubation & acceleration - Advanced funding - Mentoring - New & advanced business models - Networking & events - Expertise & innovative talent - Advisement - Dissemination - Complementary competences Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

Regional Platform Industry 4.0 of Tuscany Region (Tuscan Platform Industry 4.0)

Italy: Tuscany

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

Support Tuscan companies to digitize their business toward Industry 4.0. paradigm. Thanks to the regional competence network, companies can access to high qualified technical know-how and infrastructures: more than 800 highly specialized and skilled persons in Industry 4.0. topics and 250 technology infrastructures for applied research and demonstrators available in Tuscany – among them 100 provide services on Industry 4.0.

Through the on line one-stop-shop Cantieri 4.0, companies can:

- access to all relevant information about Industry 4.0. (events, grants and digital competences available, relevant documents etc.)

- register and participate to all events (workshops, research to business and matching events, etc.)

- assess their level of maturity on I40 (immediatelly through the web platform Cantieri 4.0 or by applying for ad hoc grants for technological audit on I40)

- search, select and keep direct contact with I40 laboratories and technological infrastructures

All the activities carried out by the Tuscan Platform on I40 are available at the web platform:

http://www.cantieri40.it/i40/index.php

The Tuscan Platform I40 is, through Tuscany Region, co-leading partner of the Industry 4.0 and SMEs thematic group within the European Platform for Industrial Modernisation, as well as partner of the Tourism digitisation and safety thematic group. Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

RECENDT - Research Center for Non-Destructive Testing GmbH

Austria: Upper Austria

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

RECENDT, the Research Center for Non Destructive Testing GmbH is a non-university based research company in Austria.

Although being an RTO company, RECENDT is (owned by the University, the University of applied science and the Upper Austrian Research) a non-profit organization dedicated to research and to making the research results available for companies of all sizes and from all industrial branches.

As an internationally well recognized Research Center for Materials Characterization and Non-Destructive Testing & Measurement, RECENDT operates very successfully on the Austrian and international market since 2009.       

RECENDT gained internationally acknowledged reputation as partner as well as coordinator in numerous national, EU- and international projects. The company is well established as a popular partner for local SMEs as well as multinational enterprises.

 

Fundamental Research & Industrial Solutions:
Our range of services incorporates the whole R&D process chain and stretches from application-oriented fundamental research to the development of state-of-the-art technology for industrial applications.

  Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

RBI DIH

Croatia: Continental Croatia

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

Nonprofit RBI DIH provide by the Center for Informatics and Computing (CIC) a organizational unit of the Ruđer Bošković Institute  in which research projects, development programs and services for scientists are performed in the fields of information technology and computing. involved in H2020 SESAMENET oriented to promoting application of HPC technologies for improving SME-s production processes.

Our Objectives
* Scientific Research: advance the state of the art in eScience and develop new technologies, providing research grants at the national and international level;
Transfer of technology: support scientific community and transfer of technology from scientific realm to the industry and government, while supporting the growth of SMEs and large enterprises in Croatia;
* Consultations and maintain resources: provide know-how and expertise on eScience, maintain HPC, CLOUD, GRID resources and support industry with an access to advanced computing facilities and expertise;
* Education and training: implementation of educational activities in EU educational networks and conferences of local and global scale;
* Innovation and exploitation activities: support innovative and creative activities, transfer of technology and to provide expertise to industry and government to support the economic growth;
* Networking and dissemination: Aiming to create national and EU strategic partnerships with academic and industry. Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

PRODUTECH Digital Innovation Hub National Platform

Portugal: North (Portugal)

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

PRODUTECH Digital Innovation Hub Platform’s mission is to foster the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry, via the gathering of a critical mass of capacities, the networking of stakeholders and the nurturing of the ecosystem, towards the deployment of added value support services that enables, potentiates and furthers industry modernization. The PRODUTECH Digital Innovation Hub Platform has a comprehensive national coverage encompassing the regional dimensions and the relevant stakeholders, and notably comprising Competence Centers and Labs, R&D organizations, Sectoral technology centers, Industry Associations, Production Technology Providers, leading users from the manufacturing industry, SMEs, Start-ups, Education/Training Centers and Incubators/Science parks and civic societies, and the articulation with National and Regional Authorities, Venture Capital organizations and public agencies. PRODUTECH Cluster’s DIH Platform gathers the pertinent regional initiatives (e.g. iMan Norte Hub, Norte region section, coordinated by INESC TEC, UPTEC and PRODUTECH ) and stakeholders in the deployment of a one-stop gateway for the provision of support services towards industry digitizing, via the inter and intra networking of capacities, competencies, intervention capabilities and service offers, linking initiatives and stakeholders and further levering cooperation and outreach at European scale (e.g. networking of pilot initiatives and services under Vanguard Initiative). As a support gateway for industry digitizing it gathers a comprehensive set of services, from visioning, strategy development and roadmaping to the deployment of large scale initiatives in R&D and Innovation, from awareness actions to matchmaking (e.g. for maturity assessment, access to specialist expertise and infrastructures, solution deployment, advanced training, mentoring…), from visibility actions (national and international) to priority definition, exploitation of opportunities (innovation, integrated offers, solutions take-up, deployment and diffusion, cross-fertilization and business) and access to funding and financing. Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

PrintoCent

Finland: North and East Finland

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

I. Ecosystem creation – PrintoCent Industry Cluster with Entrepreneurship initiatives, Startup stimulation (26 startups since 2010), Open Innovation, Smart partnerships, Joint business cases. Status: PrintoCent has wide global reach with its international member companies and partners. In Oulu region more than 300 experts are available in research and in industry. Education, Training and Research initiatives generate the multidisciplinary experts for the needs of ecosystem growth. The funding to start-up companies has exceeded 40 M€ and the turnover of companies in the field is over 25 M€ year 2016. Strong European cooperation in building European digital innovation hub in COLAE and in SMARTEES – projects. II. PrintoCent Pilot Factory building – World class Roll-to-Roll 1) Printed and Flexible Hybrid Electronics Pilot Manufacturing Infrastructure, 2) Point of Care, Rapid and Disposable Diagnostic Test mass manufacturing pilot line. Strong cooperation with key European research centers, industry and pilot line projects such as IN-SCOPE, PI-SCALE. III. Emerging business cases - Companies and research partners have easy access to new business development and pilot manufacturing resources for the introduction of printed intelligence components, systems and products, from pilot production to early market trials. Application focus areas range from rapid disposable diagnostics, smart flexible lighting and wearables to Internet-of-Things with sensors and energy harvesting. Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology