EDIH BOOST Robotics East Netherlands

ongoing

The East-Netherlands’ economy is predominantly a lively network of SMEs of which many struggle with digital transformation. The EDIH is key to make these SMEs ready for the future digital and green economy and to embed them more prominently in European value chains. EDIH BOOST ROBOTICS EASTNL focuses on Robotics & Sensing in the region’s key sectors Manufacturing, Agrifood and Health. Main objectives are: • To make 350 SMEs in these sectors future proof by increasing their digital maturity with the EDIH’s services • To raise awareness for digital transformation of 1500 SMEs with the EDIH’s services The EDIH will connect, focus and scale the existing ecosystem. It is rooted in DIH BOOST Smart Industry (est. 2016) and builds on fieldlabs, skillslabs and DIH (networks) in the region (DIH-HERO, DIH-RIMA, DIH agROBOfood). Our consortium of 17 partners is dedicated to (1) provide excellent Robotics & Sensing facilities and expertise to SMEs across the EU, (2) connect SMEs, expertise and regional facilities to Europe, and (3) build capacity on digitalisation in the innovation ecosystem. The EDIH will offer new services to SMEs: • Communication and dissemination services to raise the awareness for digital transformation and to collaborate with other Dutch EDIHs; • Digitalisation brokerage to proactively approach SMEs, help them identify digitalisation needs and guide them to the right services of the EDIH or the EU EDIH network; • Test before invest services to open-up test facilities and expertise on i.e. industrial robotics, digital twins, healthcare & agrifood robotics; • Support to find investment for digital transformation to fill gaps in the financial ecosystem; • Skills and Training Modules to improve the ability of professionals to work with digitalisation, robotics and sensing; • International service pilots, networking and match-making services to strengthen SME’s positions in European value chains and to collaborate and create EU corridors between foreign EDIHs.