ARTES 4.0 – Industry 4.0 Competence Center on Advanced Robotics and enabling digital TEchnologies & Systems 4.0

Strengthening and subject-specific and territorial extension of technology transfer centres for industrial segments (Mission 4, Component 2, Investment 2.3).

The Recovery and Resilience Plan supports the expansion and specialization of technology transfer centers, aiming to drive industrial innovation and digital transformation through the following measures:

1. The number of Competence Centers and Digital Innovation Hubs will increase from 8 to 35.

Competence Centers are partnerships between public and private entities selected for their capacity to develop innovative tools for digital transformation in processes, products, and business models, in collaboration with universities, research institutions, and technologically advanced businesses.

2. Digital Innovation Hubs will provide services such as training, technological brokering, testing, auditing, and assistance in accessing financing, with a particular focus on supporting SMEs.

3. The program will support 5,000 SMEs through testing, training, and capital access services.

Funded projects must not be associated with fossil fuels, nor involve activities related to the EU Emissions Trading System unless emissions are significantly below established benchmarks.

Projects involving landfills, incinerators, or long-term hazardous waste are also excluded.

The investment is financed by the Recovery and Resilience Plan with a total allocation of EUR 350 million.

As part of this investment, the ARTES 4.0 Industry 4.0 Competence Center on Advanced Robotics and enabling digital TEchnologies & Systems 4.0 was launched to foster advanced and collaborative robotics, enabling digital technologies, and Industry 4.0 and 5.0 solutions.

It offers services including experimental testing, technical audits, training programs, support for accessing funding, intellectual property protection, and networking activities to enhance collaboration between businesses and research institutions.

Amount financed by RRF funds: EUR 11,800,000.