AIR4S - Artificial Intelligence & Robotics for Sustainable Development Goals

Spain: Madrid

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

Artificial Intelligence & Robotics for Sustainable Development Goals (AIR4S) is the one-stop-shop hub in Madrid Region that provides innovative solutions and services to Industry and Public Administrations on Artificial Intelligence and Robotics based technologies. AIR4S bets for the accomplishment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as a way to leverage growth on organizations in a sustainable way and to effectively return to the society their investment. The DIH seeks to promote the development and growth of industry in the Community of Madrid through the use and implementation of technologies based on artificial intelligence and robotics as a driver of change and transformation of industrial and business activity in line with the objectives of recent initiatives promoted by the regional and national government. Its activity is non-profit, as it aims to facilitate the digitisation process of the business fabric of the Community of Madrid (more than 90% of which is made up of SMEs and Startups) and of the Public Administration. All the project's resources are invested in achieving these objectives aimed at social and economic change and transformation. AIR4S is promoted and coordinated by UPM, and it counts with the participation of outstanding partners strongly committed to complete an amazing open innovation ecosystem to drive companies to transform, grow and become more competitive in the digital world. AIRS4S will help entities, specially SMEs but also midcaps, big companies and public administrations, to improve their products, services and processes, by introducing the great advantages of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics into their business. UPM firmly believes that the future of innovation in these technologies is to address the co-creation of the digital future together with other disciplines in research, open innovation and education, aligning business and growth with the Sustainable Development Goals. AIR4S vision is to become a reference DIH in Europe contributing to the digitization of industry by transforming companies and public administration through Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and being respectful with the social, legal and ethical aspects of these technologies. To achieve this vision AIR4S internally operates in a network of 5 Research Institutes, 13 Research Centers, 3 Innovation Centers and 200 research groups where professors, researchers, engineers, students, business developers and entrepreneurs, physically come together to jointly co-create the digital future in all areas of Engineering and Architecture. AIR4S ecosystem Thanks to this UPM broad environment, AIR4S can provide all-disciplines-companies a multidisciplinary and personalised approach and consequently address multisector domains in a confident way, bringing together world-class technological expertise and infrastructure on AI & Robotics but also deep knowledge on how to apply these technologies on different market domains. The expertise and collaborations of the different sectoral Centers/Schools definitively contributes to support organizations in their related field, tackling their digitization process really from the market need (eg: Agronomics School, Forestry School, Biomedical Technology Center, Mines and Energy School, etc.). UPM is a leader in AI & Robotics technologies, with a number of H2020, National and Regional Research and Innovation projects, but also with long-term direct alliances with companies which fully acknowledges UPM track record expertise in these technologies. UPM is Founding Member of the Big Data Value Association (BDVA) and Member of the euRobotics Association, and is actively contributing to the European Artificial Intelligence Alliance and the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking. The DIH is complemented by leading stakeholders that will successfully complement AIR4S services and impact thanks to its huge expertise proving services to entities, supporting different funding models and disseminating innovation in the region.  AIR4S is supported by many funding sources, but specifically by the Madrid Region innovation hubs call with 450K€ for the 3-year period 2019-2020. The partners involved in AIR4S are: Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

AI4GALICIA: Artificial Intelligence for Galicia

Spain: Galicia

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

AI4GALICIA is a Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) whose mission is to increase the competitiveness of the Galician production sector by promoting and intensifying the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by companies and other economic actors in the region.

AI4GALICIA is a NON-PROFIT organisation.

The specific objectives of AI4GALICIA are as follows:

Integrate and encourage cooperation between the University of A Coruña, technology centres, business, industry and its associates, venture capital firms, state administration bodies and other relevant agents.
Offer high added-value services in the areas of R&D, innovation management and technology transfer.
Train students, professionals and companies in Artificial Intelligence techniques and solutions.
Actively identify the challenges facing industry, the public sector and society.
Encourage cooperation between DIH nationally and internationally by promoting joint actions and projects, providing services and exchanging knowledge and good practice.

AI4GALICIA has been created as part of the European Commission’s Digitising European Industry (DEI) initiative, aimed at promoting the digitisation of industry and related services across all sectors (https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/policies/digitising-europ…).

One of the core purposes of this initiative is to create Digital Innovation Hubs (DIH) across all European regions where companies (especially SMEs and start-ups) can find the infrastructures, expertise and advice they need to incorporate digital innovations into their production processes.

AI4GALICIA operates within the framework of the Connected Industry 4.0 programme created by the Spanish government (https://www.industriaconectada40.gob.es/Paginas/index.aspx#inicio). The main tools and services offered by the programme include digital enablers and implementation support for companies, knowledge sharing, and the development of digital technology skills for industry.

AI4GALICIA is also part of the Smart Specialisation Strategy for Galicia (RIS3). Its contribution is centred around the three priorities contained in Challenge 2 of the strategy document: to support the diversification of economic driver sectors in Galicia; to strengthen the competitiveness of the Galician industrial sector; and to promote ICT in Galicia as a key enabling technology. Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

ahedd - Attica Hub for the Economy of Data and Devices

Greece: Attica

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

The Digital Innovation Hub ahedd, as a non-profit partnership between research organisations and innovative SMEs with high expertise in different fields of data science, aspires to form the key cog towards the creation of a digital innovation ecosystem that will help SMEs located in Attica make the leap towards a data-driven economy.  As a result, the Hub will affect significantly the regional economy via the provision of a hands-on digitisation support to the industrial ecosystem of SMEs in Attica ; creating this way a sustainable ecosystem that will facilitate the uptake and integration of core technologies (i.e., AI, big data, IoT, etc.) across the regional and national industry.

The ahedd partners decided to join forces in order to develop a leading adn open “one-stop-shop” for local SMEs to enrich their competitive advantages through digital transformation and digital innovation. Its mission is to develop and orchestrate a digital innovation ecosystem in order to match the opportunities and challenges faced by regional SMEs in relation to big data management, artificial intelligence-empowered analytics and IoT.

The ahedd ecosystem will help SMEs to:

successfully go through digital transformation processes;
develop and enhance their digital innovation potential;
increase their digital innovation competencies and skills;
innovate in ways that take advantage of AI, data management and IoT technologies;
increase their competitiveness and add significant value to their offerings and the community they serve.

ahedd is a gold BDVA i-Space. Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

Agro Space DIH

Lithuania: Sostinės regionas

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

Lithuania Agro Space Digital Innovation Hub (Agro Space DIH)

 

Lithuania Agro Space DIH is a non-profit regional focus network that brings together Lithuanian research, education, business and governmental institution organisations all aimed at fostering cross-sectoral digital technology innovation. A sum of 11 key stakeholders (governmental institutions, clusters, industry & business associations and science & technology parks) have expressed their interest in mutual cooperation and the establishment of Agro Space DIH.

 

The main strategic objectives of the Agro Space DIH are to commence and develop public sector, business and scientific cooperation in the fields of agrofood and related fields digitalisation, agrospace and agroinnovation industry innovation and novice production process, material and technology development. These objectives are to help create added value, improve business and service processes and foster mutual communication between different actors involved in the process, initiate development of new products, improve quality assurance and to participate in EU and national programmes.

 

Vilnius Industry and Business Association (VPVA) acts as the coordinator of the DIH. Established in 1996, VPVA comprises over 300 members from different industries, representing various business directions, other business associations, manufacturing, service and consulting companies in Lithuania.

 

Agro Space DIH is tailored to ensure that every company, small or large, high-tech or not, can grasp digital opportunities. In cooperation with member and partner organisations the hub is able to provide the needed support and consultations for local SME’s in Lithuania in fields related to digital technology development. The main objective here is to help create added value, improve business and service processes and foster mutual communication between different actors involved in the process.  This is being achieved through so called “One-Stop-Shop” service that is provided by the network and partnering organisations. The network enables all industry players to initiate, design and reciprocate technologies and best practices at any given development phase.

 

The majority (around ¾) of the network’s activities are aimed at bringing together (events, search of partners, finding investment, helping to commercialise products and services) Lithuanian research and development expertise in the field of digital agriculture technology innovations and rural development. The usual practice of DIH is to lead a company through the full-length process (strategic phase, initial phase, concept phase, development phase) of achieving the solution launch, focusing mainly on TRL4 to TRL9. The scope of services also include networking, collaborative research, commercial infrastructure, financial aid through different instruments (e.g. Horizon 2020, COSME, etc.) 

 

Agro Space DIH vision is to become the “go to” solution provider for development, digital technology transfer and innovation dissemination in key sectors: agriculture, space, manufacturing (Industry 4.0) and service innovation. The priority is to advance the partnership capabilities of agricultural and space technology companies by amplifying the network’s platform within Lithuania and transnationally.

 

The main activities pithing the hub are in line with the national RIS3 strategies (http://sumani2020.lt/apie-sumania-speciaizacija/prioritetai) that comprise such strategic fields as:
Agroinovation and food technologies
    - Advanced pest control and plant nutrition systems
    - Precision (precision) crop and livestock farming technologies
    - Technologies of agricultural raw materials and their processing
Novice production processes, materials and technologies
    - Physical Impact Measurement and Materials Recognition Technologies
    - Innovative and balanced design solutions and modeling techniques
    - Virtual Product Development Technologies
    - Materials and resource-efficient technologies
    - Robotic Production Technologies
    - Intelligent Process Control Systems Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

AgriFood Lithuania DIH

Lithuania: Sostinės regionas

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

AgriFood Lithuania is a Digital Innovation Hub, operating on a not-for-profit basis, that brings together major research, business and public stakeholders in Lithuania for the common pursuit of digital transformations in the agriculture, food and associated sectors.

The strategic mission of AgriFood Lithuania DIH is to contribute towards achieving the vision outlined in the EU Declaration of ‘A smart and sustainable digital future for European agriculture and rural areas’.

With over 20 public, science, education, industry and SME partners, the AgriFood Lithuania acts as coordinator and facilitator of digital-based technology solutions for agriculture and food industries. To this end, the DIH seeks to:

Provide all-round support and specialized services in the research, development and deployment of AgriFood Tech innovations;
Facilitate partnerships in collaborative development, technology transfer and industrial uptake of high-tech innovations;
Link national innovation projects, startups and SMEs with wider international and cross-sector initiatives and competence networks;
Contribute to and strengthen the national and European technological infrastructure.
Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

AgriFood Croatia

Croatia: Adriatic Croatia

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

Digital Innovation Hub ‘AgriFood Croatia’ is a not-for-profit networked organization of Croatian research, public institutions and private business with a common goal of co-creating and implementing technological innovations for the agriculture, aquaculture and food sectors. The overall mission of AgriFood Croatia is to contribute towards the digitization of agriculture, aquaculture and food sectors, in accordance to the principles and priorities outlined in the EU Declaration of ‘A smart and sustainable digital future for European agriculture and rural areas’. The DIH acts as a one-stop-shop for innovation-related expertise, guidance, support and specialized services. It the only Croatian DIH directly focusing on agriculture, aquaculture and food technological innovations, proving national and international partners with localized know-how and specialized excellence. AgriFood Croatia facilitates strategic partnerships and enables cross-border collaboration opportunities for projects, startups and SMEs working with digital-based technologies, as well as serving industrial enterprises and farmers interested in implementing these solutions. The activities of AgriFood Croatia are not-for-profit and aimed at encouraging economic growth for its network members, partners and other beneficiaries.   Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

Agri Sud Ouest Innovation

France: Occitania

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

Agri Sud-Ouest Innovation is a French "pôle de compétitivité" dedicated to innovation in the agri-food sector in southwestern France. ASOI has a staff made of 17 people and gathers some 400 members, mostly SMEs and mid-caps, laboratories, research centres and institutions. 
The Strategic Research Agenda of ASOI relies on three main priorities:
- Develop agro-refineries and enhance overall agricultural production, such as bioplastics,
- Improve production system efficiency, for example in agricultural machinery or precision farming through digital solutions
- Optimise eco-efficiency production inputs, for example with biocontrol products or biostimulants
Agri Sud-Ouest Innovation spreads on the large perimeter of the south-west part of France (Regions Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie), where the diversity of farm productions is important, regarding both vegetal and animal productions. Concerning crops, the cluster unite excellence competences from public and private research centers on vine and wine, fruit and vegetables, sunflower, corn and soy, including the European leader seeds companies and some rising SMEs in the ICT, biotechnologies and biocontrol sectors.

The core activities of ASOI rely on:
- the emergence of innovative ideas through the regular organization of creative events (innovation clubs, creativity sessions, hackathons) and thematic workshops or seminars (~ 20 events organized every year),
- the construction of innovative project with companies. ASOI provides an overview of funding possibilities at regional, national or European level, boost consortium dynamics, provide project engineering expertise and gives a label to projects fulfilling excellence criteria based on innovation aspects and economic and social spill-overs (~50 collaborative projects awarded every year)
-the support to companies to bring the innovation to the market: expertise in IP, business models, strategic intelligence, prospective missions on international markets (~100 SMEs supported every year). 

Agri Sud-Ouest Innovation is a GOLD-labelled cluster (Cluster Management Excellence Label) since 2012. Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

AFIL - Lombardy Intelligent Factory Association

Italy: Lombardy

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

AFIL is the result of a process driven by the Lombardy Region aimed at creating bodies which favor the aggregation of different regional players active in the field of Research and Innovation (R&I) within the priority areas identified in the Regional Smart Specialisation Strategy. 

AFIL is a no-profit private organization aimed at fostering connections between all key relevant stakeholders (competence centers, industry, users and suppliers, technology experts and investors) able to boost Industry 4.0 revolution and facilitating Lombardy SMEs access to EU value chains. 

 

AFIL, through its Working Groups, provide tools and services for its members for:

Increasing companies’ awareness on existing opportunities on Industry 4.0. 
Feasibility studies and transfer of best practices
Matching services to support companies in identifying Competence Centers or solution providers having specific competences on Industry 4.0.
Support in accessing private and public available funds. 
Regional and Interregional ecosystem Building and networking, promoting the access to EU value chains.
Project idea support generation 
Roadmapping, regional technological priorities mapping 
Digital Maturity Assessment

 

Find the link to AFIL Working Groups activities and services: 

https://www.afil.it/thematic-working-groups-eng-qr/?lang=en

Find the link to AFIL Community, a virtual space where Working Groups members interact and share ideas and discussions (Available in Italian only. English version under development): 
http://community.afil.it/
Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

Advanced Manufacturing Digital Innovation Hub

Lithuania: Sostinės regionas

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

Advanced Manufacturing DIH is led by non-profit public organisation - Intechcentras.

The one-stop-shop center provides business enterprises with up-to-date information, expert assistance and access to technology for testing digital innovations. It also helps to carry out and conduct experiments with products, processes or business models.

The Hub seeks significant changes in the field of digitizing industry in Lithuanian companies, thus increasing their competitiveness and added value.

Access to the centers of competences
The heart of the innovation ecosystem
Mediation services
Aid for funding
Education, training and consulting services

MISSION: By integration of Lithuanian ecosystem participants, in usege of digital technologies, to increase the competitiveness of Lithuanian enterprises. SCOPE OF SERVISES: DIH consulting services: • Search for innovations; • Establishing the company's digital level and providing recommendations; • Preparation of company's digital strategic plans and necessary investments; • Training and consulting in the field of digitization and innovative technologies; • Mediation between science and business and business and business; • Studies. FieldLab Contracted Services: • Practical Digitization; • Technology design / installation services; • Demonstration, testing, production of prototype small quantities, including 3D printing methods; • Testing of new functional materials for the engineering industry; • Identification and harmonization of related and interactive activities; • Collection and processing of data for statistical analysis of characteristics; • Quality control of products, validation of produced batches, characterization; • Safety tests and assessment of environmental and health impacts; • the preparation of the technical documentation required for CE marking under the Machinery Directive; • Finance attraction service / EU project preparation and initiation.

  Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

Advanced Forming Research Centre (SRMDIH)

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

Advanced Forming Research Centre’s Scottish Regional Manufacturing Digital Innovation Hub (SRMDIH) is a collaborative venture between the University of Strathclyde, Scottish Enterprise, the UK Government and leading multinational engineering firms.  It is one of seven technology and innovation centres, which together make up the UK High-Value Manufacturing Catapult and is the only HVM centre located in Scotland, creating an internationally recognised, £125M research programme in Scotland.  Formed in 2009, the AFRC is a globally recognised centre of excellence in metal forming research, manufacturing technologies and innovation. 

Advanced Forming Research Centre’s Scottish Regional Manufacturing Digital Innovation Hub (SRMDIH)is a not-for-profit hub and led by National Manufacturing Institute Scotland’s Advanced Forming Research Centre at the University of Strathclyde. The SMRDIH is based in NMIS’s AFRC and a potential DIH due to the Manufacturing Industry Digital Innovation Hubs- MIDIH project funded by Horizon2020. The SMRDIH provides a new support mechanism for Scottish manufacturing SMEs to enable them to improve productivity and competitiveness and connect into a smart product, smart supply chains and smart factory through the adoption of Cyber-Physical Systems and Internet of Things (CPS/IoT) technologies and circular economy with the cross-cutting elements of digitisation and sustainability.  The SMRDIH will focus on activities that include raising awareness of the advantages of CPS/IoT technologies, providing education on and access to CPS/IoT technologies, assistance with raising finance for capital expenditure, and stimulating commercialisation activity amongst manufacturers and suppliers of CPS/IoT equipment.

The SMRDIH is a non for profit hub and led by Advanced Forming Research Centre to provide a new support mechanism for Scottish manufacturing SMEs to enable them to improve productivity and competitiveness and connect into a smart product, smart supply chains and smart factory through the adoption of Cyber-Physical Systems and Internet of Things (CPS/IoT) technologies.  The Hub will focus on activities that include raising awareness of the advantages of CPS/IoT technologies, providing education on and access to CPS/IoT technologies, assistance with raising finance for capital expenditure, and stimulating commercialisation activity amongst manufacturers and suppliers of CPS/IoT equipment.

The SMRDIH provides a new support mechanism for Scottish manufacturing SMEs to enable them to improve productivity and competitiveness and connect into a smart product, smart supply chains and smart factory through the adoption of Cyber-Physical Systems and Internet of Things (CPS/IoT) technologies and circular economy with the cross-cutting elements of digitisation and sustainability.

The SMRDIH will create an innovation and collaboration space through working with Scotland Can Do and National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), to empower Scotland to become a world-leading, entrepreneurial, and innovative nation. 

The primary focus of the SRMDIH will be to create economic benefit for the region by facilitating the adoption and implementation of CPS/IoT technologies amongst manufacturing SMEs in Scotland.  This will involve a three-pronged approach:-

Providing education on and access to CPS/IoT technologies for manufacturing SMEs in Scotland using Manufacturing Skill Academic.
Raising awareness of the advantages of CPS/IoT technologies amongst those manufacturing SMEs throughout Scotland who have not yet considered adopting such technologies for their business.  Awareness-raising activities will also target finance providers, as they must be made aware of the need for investment in digital manufacturing technologies.
By identifying where there is a need for new CPS/IoT solutions and providing resources for their development, the DIH will stimulate improved linkages to, and commercialisation activity amongst, manufacturers and suppliers of the ICT Innovation for Manufacturing SMEs I4MS-related equipment within the region.

A broad range of services is envisaged.  These can be grouped into five headings as follows:-

Awareness-raising activities — these will also target finance providers, as they must be made aware of the need for investment in digital manufacturing technologies. The NMIS/AFRC’s SRMDIH has launched a series of online webinars to help you develop your skills, enhance your knowledge and be inspired.

Up-to-date events: https://www.strath.ac.uk/research/advancedformingresearchcentre/events/

Education and training — developing and running workshops/short courses on:

CPS/IoT and related digital manufacturing technologies.
Digital business models, encourage SMEs to think differently and consider changing their business model.

Technology demonstrators – practical, relevant examples of CPS/IoT technologies to encourage their adoption and show companies what is possible.
One-to-one support for the adoption of CPS/IoT technologies.  This will include:

Initial assessment of the company’s manufacturing operation to determine suitability for CPS/IoT technologies.
Identification of potential commercial solution providers.
Assistance with the specification and implementation of appropriate CPS/IoT solutions.
Assistance with the business case and raising finance for capital expenditure.

 5. Stimulation, facilitation and coordination of collaborative research and development projects for new CPS/IoT solutions. Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology