Digital Catapult, the UK national digital accelerator, has launched a new accelerator together with Smart Nano NI to transform the manufacturing landscape across Northern Ireland.

The Smart Manufacturing accelerator will provide an opportunity for manufacturers to learn and experiment with emerging technologies, in a bid to improve efficiency and drive sustainable sectoral growth as part of the Digital Catapult Smart Nano Accelerator Programme.

In collaboration with GEMX, an industry led collaborative network of innovative companies and educational institutes in Northern Ireland’s North West, the Smart Manufacturing accelerator aims to equip up to ten manufacturing companies with the knowledge and tools to harness Industry 4.0 smart technologies. GEMX has worked alongside Digital Catapult NI to tailor the programme to suit the needs of companies from the region.

This initiative is supported by the UK Research and Innovation’s Strength in Places Fund as an integral part of the five-year journey by nano technology consortium Smart Nano NI to further the development of photonics, smart manufacturing and nano technology cluster in Northern Ireland, with the accelerator being delivered by consortium member Digital Catapult NI.

Beginning in October 2023, a series of workshops, demonstrations and talks will take place with four in-person sessions combined with self-paced learning, remote support and consultation.

The programme will draw on technologies including photonics, internet of things (IoT), future networks including 5G, immersive technologies (augmented and virtual reality) and artificial intelligence & data science.