European €4 million project accelerates digital transformation Northern Netherlands
The European Digital Innovation Hub North Netherlands (EDIH NN) was launched last week. Technologies and digital infrastructures such as AI, cyber security and data technology are crucial for addressing societal challenges. The provinces of Drenthe, Groningen and Friesland already offered plenty of support in digitization in the region in recent years. With this EDIH and €4 million grant, the collaborating partners are taking this to the next level.
The TopDutch region (Drenthe, Fryslán, Groningen) has big ambitions with the EDIH NN. Within 3 years, FME and the project partners want to develop fifteen tools for the manufacturing and process industry that will enable SMEs to increase the autonomy in their products and processes. Think of autonomous tractors and drones for precision agriculture, continuously producing factories without human intervention, self navigating logistics systems and intelligent energy networks that optimize themselves.
Future View
"This is the picture of the future, but we are not there yet. In the short term, we are focusing on the challenges at hand, such as increasing efficiency, reducing costs and dealing with labor shortages," said Anna Moerbeek, EDIH NN project manager and business scientist.
Now, self-learning systems and systems that can make autonomous decisions are playing an increasing role. To implement these systems, it is necessary for companies to understand their current situation and then determine where the need lies.
The allocation of over €4 million by the European Union and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate makes it possible for EDIH NN to lower the threshold for getting started with self-learning and self-directed systems. In addition, EDIH NN can introduce SMEs to the benefits and possibilities of autonomy as a viable business strategy.
Unique initiative with long-term vision
What makes this project special is its exceptionally long duration of 7 years, allowing ample time to increase autonomy in systems in the region. The first 3 years have been funded, with a possible 4-year extension. This extended time frame provides unprecedented opportunities not only to explore the theoretical aspects of autonomous systems, but also to achieve tangible results and establish an integrated approach.
With the partners Hanzehogeschool, NHL Stenden, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, FME, Innovatiepact Fryslán (IPF), Ynbusiness, IBDO and GroBusiness and the Noordelijke Ontwikkelingsmaatschappij (NOM), all of whom play an active role in the project, EDIH NN will work in the long term to create a broad regional network that connects experts, test environments, businesses, knowledge institutions and funding resources. The European Union and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, support the EDIH NN's initiatives.
Connection to the national and European network
As one of five Dutch hubs, EDIH NN is affiliated with a national organization and is connected to other EDIHs in the Netherlands. In addition, EDIH NN is part of the European network of Digital Innovation Hubs, a European-funded initiative that enhances digital capabilities and knowledge of SMEs to accelerate digital transformation in Europe and remain competitive in intercontinental markets.
Each EDIH is a regional point of contact for SMEs on digital challenges and issues. The project aims to create multiple hubs in each European country for optimal regional coverage.