As a part of the project Innovation and digitalization in SMEs in BiH/EU4DigitalSME, which is co-financed by the European Union and FR Germany (BMZ), and implemented by GIZ, representatives of the digital innovation hub Industrial HUB from Tuzla were from 4-6 April 2023 in a study visit in Belgrade, with the aim of establishing cooperation between DIHs from BiH and the region. The visit was hosted by the Belgrade Robotics Hub (BRH).

Belgrade Robotics Hub (BRH ), as an unofficial organization, is composed of the Laboratory for Robotics within the Department of Signals and Systems at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade (ETF), together with the research groups of the Robotics Center of the Mihajlo Pupin Institute (IMP) and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the University in Belgrade (MF) whose ultimate goal is to support both the adoption of innovation and the transfer of robotic technologies in companies.

On the first day of the visit, representatives of the Industrial HUB had the opportunity to participate in a conference ‘’Days of Science and Economy’’, organized by the Serbian Chamber of Commerce. The topic of the event was innovative solutions support and financing programs to encourage cooperation between science and businesses, which was elaborated through two panels. The focus of the first panel was on European perspectives and opportunities, while the second panel discussed domestic perspectives for financing innovative solutions in SMEs.

At the end of the conference, representatives of Industrial HUB met with Mr. Adrian Solomon, EIT Manufacturing, Country Manager, Serbia and together with the representatives of BRH, discussed the possibilities of joint participation in the calls that EIT Manufacturing announces for the countries of the region.

On the second day of study visit, representatives of the Industrial HUB visited the Science and Technology Park (NTP) Belgrade, where they learned about the activities of NTP and their results, so far, in supporting start-ups and growing innovative companies. In addition to talking with representatives of NTP, they also met with representatives of companies incubated in NTP (Vision Equipment & Strawberry Energy), discussing with them examples of application of innovative solutions in production processes, as well as about innovative products.

Next station was the Mihajlo Pupin Institute (IMP), one of the most important research and development institutions in the region. During this visit, the representatives of Industrial HUB had a chance to talk to the Center for Robotics staff and got acquainted with several projects whose implementation is underway, exchanging ideas about the possibilities for cooperation in the field of robotics in the coming period. The second day of the study visit ended with a visit to the Robotics Laboratory at ETF.

During the study visit, representatives of the Industrial HUB had the opportunity to get acquainted with the institutions that compose the Belgrade HUB for Robotics, but also to get more information about the functioning of the innovation ecosystem within which the BRH operates, and to get first-hand information, from the companies that were supported by the BRH, about the effects of that support. The information obtained on the possibilities of financing joint activities at the regional level (EIT Manufacturing) will greatly contribute in shaping a future cooperation agreement between the two DIHs, as well as to the expected realization of future joint projects.

2 min

11/04/2023