The European industrial strategy is all about making our industries globally competitive while enhancing autonomy and resilience. This strategy aims for industry to lead the way toward climate neutrality and digital leadership, reducing dependency on others. But how are these high ambitions being turned into practical actions?
European research and innovation collaboration are at the heart of enhancing competitiveness. Partnerships like Key Digital Technologies Joint Undertaking (KDT JU) break down grand strategies into practical steps that companies can adopt. Collaboration paves the way for digital transformation and sustainable industry by creating roadmaps and launching research projects to design, develop and test novel technologies in industrial settings.
Aligning national and European agendas through these partnerships helps avoid overlaps and maximises the impact of research. Recently, KDT JU evolved into Chips JU focusing on addressing semiconductor shortages and boosting Europe's digital autonomy. This initiative involves significant funding from the EU, participating states, and private industry, aiming for nearly €11 billion by 2030.
European collaboration from a Finnish perspective
In Finland, Business Finland supports industrial renewal and innovations towards industry 5.0. Sustainable Manufacturing Finland program targets manufacturing industries emphasising digital transformation. Business Finland also encourages companies to engage in European cooperation to develop expertise and find research and business partners. Ecosystems like KDT JU, supported by Business Finland, are excellent candidates for European research collaboration due to their shared ambitions and investment in novel technologies.
VTT has a significant role in helping industry engage in European collaborations and benefit from EU-funded research. Active in both national and European research programmes, VTT aligns Finnish efforts with European initiatives, assisting companies in finding the right topics and best consortia. Even smaller companies can benefit from EU funding, either by participating in consortia or through SME-dedicated funds. In the realm of digital technologies, common topics include advancing artificial intelligence, industrial internet, digital twins, and data sharing solutions.
Collaboration in action
VTT, along with Normet and Exertus, participated in the KDT JU research project “Intelligent Motion Control under Industry 4.0” (IMOCO4.E). This project aims to provide vertically distributed edge-to-cloud intelligence for machines, robots and other human in-the-loop cyber-physical systems with actively controlled moving elements. The project addresses growing demands for energy efficiency, size reduction, motion speed, precision, adaptability, self-diagnostics, secure connectivity, and new human-cognitive features. Digital twins and AI principles (machine/deep learning) are central to the project’s goals. IMOCO4.E includes 46 partners and 13 use cases to test project results with industrial partners.
Samu Kukkonen, Technology Director at Normet Oy, has highlighted the benefits: “Normet is a world-leading innovative technology company in the underground equipment industry. We strive to leverage bleeding edge technologies to bring new innovative solutions and products to the market. IMOCO4.E has enabled us to develop key building blocks especially in robotics to take the next steps in, for example, underground explosive charging process. With robotized solutions, we are able to address major megatrends such as improving safety, productivity and contributing to sustainability. Within IMOCO4.E VTT, Exertus and Business Finland have been in a crucial role in helping us in this journey as is the consortium itself in opening new perspectives and ways of thinking. “
Pirkka Tukeva, CEO from Exertus Oy, adds: “A broad European project consortium like this opens new technology and business opportunities as well as active links between different companies, research organizations and other stakeholders. The project offers a good opportunity to research, develop and utilize latest technologies in connection between different industries and actors from several different countries. With the help of VTT and Business Finland, it has been a little easier for the Finnish companies to manage the complexity caused by a large consortium and wide research agenda.”
Embracing European Opportunities
VTT encourages companies to seize opportunities available at a European level. Participating in common agenda setting and project consortia accelerate the adoption of the latest technologies and helps find new networks, talent, and customers.
We are committed to supporting industry in joining the European research and innovation community driving progress toward a more sustainable and digitally advanced future.
Matias Vierimaa works at VTT as a senior scientist at cognitive production industry research area.
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