NOVUM DANUVIUM - Infrastructure development for key automotive suppliers and technology companies of the Pons Danubii Region

The main success criteria for automotive and technology companies of the Pons Danubii region is to proactively respond to the changing needs of the sectors, and quickly target emerging niches with newly developed services and products. AUTOTECH INFRA helps them in 3 areas:

(1) Prototype development and testing activities require large initial investment in equipment, not feasible for individual SMEs. The planned Tata Innovation Laboratory will provide shared facilities and cutting edge technologies made available for regional SMEs.

(2) A Virtual Technology Studio, as a mobile demonstration environment will be developed for roadshow events and training courses, to improve knowledge on 3D/VR technologies and also to develop the capacities of regional ICT specialists, enabling them to apply these when implementing higher added value activities (either in design, product development or product presentation/marketing) in the rapidly changing automotive and technology sectors.

(3) A virtual reality based visualisation application will be developed, specialised for business meetings, job interviews and virtual career orientation events for two main purposes, to be demonstrated in roadshow events, to enhance career orientation events (job fairs and info days) and to be further developed and marketed to interested 3rd parties.

As an estimated 2-3000 qualified residents of Tata and similar proportions of neighbouring cities are working outside the area, the long term result of the AUTOTECH INFRA project - higher value added jobs in the automotive and technology sectors – will potentially keep qualified workforce within the target area, thus adding to local prosperity and balancing local economy. Marketing and networking potential of the facilities (Tata Innovation Lab and Virtual Technology Studio) allow for cross-referencing, transfer of potential partners and more efficient use of physical space and equipment, to improve effectiveness and sustainability of the results.

Related TAPE: Complex innovation program for creating jobs in the Pons Danubii Region