Industry Connect
AIA partners with IITD to make India Global Player in Smart Manufacturing
(Read more about the project and partnership opportunities)
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and the Automation Industry Association (AIA) have entered into a partnership to help India become a leading global player in the area of smart manufacturing. Smart manufacturing marries technological prowess with human intelligence for producing an innovative ecosystem to meet the challenges of the global market.
It aims to optimally use the data, resources and integrate the different components for boosting productivity.
IITD and AIA have created a Special Purpose Vehicle for setting up a National Center of Excellence for Smart Technology Enabled Manufacturing. AIA is bringing in global expertise through its key automation member companies, while IITD will be hosting the facilities and taking the leadership for development and research.
The Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises is a major sponsor and will be the nodal government body for establishing the Indian equivalent platform for Industry 4.0 or Smart Manufacturing - Samarth Udyog.
The collaboration is aimed to develop the capabilities of the SME Industry, create a national educational curriculum and skill building programme of Technology enabled Manufacturing that alters the way decisions are made regarding what to produce, where to produce, when to produce and how much to produce.
According to Mr. P V Sivaram, President AIA “Smart Manufacturing would ensure lower cost of production, higher quality, fewer rejects and a wider market reach. This also has other broader benefits like lower energy consumption, lesser emissions and will help in preserving the raw materials. It will also assist in decentralization.”
Terming the collaboration as a major step towards technological growth, IITD director Prof Ramgopal Rao said that the industry-academia partnership needs to be taken to the next level. “We need to look ahead and overcome all the barriers. This is a good beginning. The future lies in smart manufacturing and we have great path ahead. IITD is well equipped to train the future workforce.”
Dean R&D Prof B R Mehta said that the collaboration will have a large impact on the research ecosystem. “This will be the fifth center of excellence at IITD in the last few months and I am confident that this will give a tremendous boost to our R&D landscape.”
Mr Girish Shankar, Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industry, who was the Chief Guest at the launch of the Samarth Udyog and the architect of the Samarth Udyog charter shared his vision with the distinguished gathering of Industry and Academia, notably:
- Awareness campaigns on Industry 4.0,
- Training for Master Trainers,
- Active Participation Provisions for Start-up/ incubators,
- Hand-holding of SMEs to plan and implement relevant Industry 4.0 projects to be done through consultancy services on chargeable basis,
- Collaborating with neighbourhood Universities for student training/internship programmes,
- Involving industry in SPV membership model for sustainability,
- Participating in a Government formed platform for Industry 4.0 on common agenda
- To make adequate provisions for e-waste management,
- Involving as many clusters of Capital Good as possible.
Current Status
A Section 8 company, IITD-AIA Foundation for Smart Manufacturing, has been formed to execute the project. The Auto Component Manufacturers Association, ACMA, has come on board as a Partner Association. Start-up activity is being incubated in Room 433A & B, Block 2, IITD Haus Khas Campus.
