Throughout human history, innovation and the creation of new technologies have had a direct relationship with the success and development of societies.
But we’ve never had so many tools – and so much ability to integrate them – as we do now. The world is experiencing a new Revolution, also known as Industry 4.0, which is redefining the course of the job market, industry, forms of relationships and consumption.
And what does this new industry do? In the words of Karl Schwarz, Founder of the World Economic Forum – and who coined this term in a homonymous work – “The Fourth Industrial Revolution generates a world in which virtual and physical manufacturing systems cooperate with each other in a flexible way at the global level.” In other words, it is through the integration of new and diverse technologies that Industry 4.0 changes society with unprecedented speed, reach and impact. It involves from genetic sequencing to nanotechnology. From renewable energies to quantum computing. And Brazil cannot miss the tram in this story.
The adoption of technologies in this industry can be reverted in productivity and profitability, better prospects and greater business adaptability in times of crisis, such as now with the Coronavirus pandemic.
The solutions aimed at industry of the future with cutting edge technology are specialties of the national network structured by SENAI.
Just in the last decade, the SENAI invested around R$ 3 billion in the creation of 28 Innovation Institutes – currently the largest network of its kind in the country.
These R&D centers work with applied research – the use of knowledge in a practical way, in the development of new products and customized solutions for companies or ideas that generate business opportunities.
And there are already many solutions generated by this network, which are related to Industry 4.0.
Among the projects are the Flatfish, the first prototype developed in Brazil for high-resolution 3D visual inspection for oil pipelines, made in partnership with Shell.
Another project enabled the production of the first satellite from a 100% Brazilian private company.
And to support all these innovations, SENAI also has a network of 60 Institutes of Technology, with 1.2 thousand specialists and consultants, who support the development of technologies and innovation in companies of the most diverse sizes and segments. In 2020, more than 58 thousand services were provided by the institutes.
In all, 10,083 companies were served.
A good example of the agility of this new world is the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated the need and demand for so-called Industry 4.0 technologies.
SENAI, through its Institutes, played a key role in supporting and financing research and innovation that could bring concrete solutions to the crisis.
In partnership with the Brazilian Agency for Industrial Development (ABDI) and the Brazilian Company for Industrial Research and Innovation (Embrapii) it made investments of R$29 million for 34 innovative projects aimed at the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of Covid-19. Among the projects are an antiviral spray for surface disinfection, sensors to detect infected patients and public transport sterilization systems, among others.
The CNI (National Confederation of Industry) also fosters and encourages the innovative strategy of Brazilian companies, as in the case of Business Mobilization for Innovation (MEI), an initiative that brings together 300 executives from the main Brazilian industrial companies and links the business sector, government and academia, with the aim of encouraging policies to support Research, Development & Innovation (RD&I).
International cooperation agreements are also part of the work developed by the CNI. Recently, a partnership was signed with SOSA, an Israeli group with global operations in open innovation.
With centers spread across the main technological capitals of the world, SOSA creates opportunities for companies and organizations to share modern and innovative solutions. With the partnership, CNI opens the door for Brazilian companies to also participate in this ecosystem.
It is only with innovation and technology that Brazil will definitely embark on this new Revolution.
And CNI and SESI are doing their part, always at the forefront of the process.
Reference: CNN Brasil
