Industry 4.0 is revolutionizing the means of production through coordinated use of the information generated and managed by production monitoring systems. These systems use automation and computation to communicate with each other and human beings, enabling real-time learning and cooperation
FAPESP’s contribution to these advances can be measured by the funding it has provided for research related to topics such as automation, photonics, artificial intelligence, big data, the internet of things, and cloud computing. It can also be seen in the foundation’s funding of innovation through its Research for Innovation in Small Businesses program (RISB, or PIPE in Portuguese)
The graph shows the number of research projects associated with these topics since the RISB program was created. From 2016 onward, the number increased rapidly. The last two years of the data series (2020 and 2021 to August) were atypical due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which makes it difficult to interpret these fluctuations. However, the number of studies started in 2020 is at the same level as 2017 and 2018, which will likely be surpassed in 2021 by the end of the year
This chart provides a breakdown of the studies in the graph above by technological field. Automation accounted for the largest number of research projects. It is both critical to the development of Industry 4.0 and a well established area of research, making it more attractive to entrepreneurs. RISB has also funded studies in new fields, such as the internet of things and artificial intelligence, which are less explored and economically uncertain. The program has proven capable of identifying good business opportunities and partnerships between researchers and entrepreneurs, contributing to São Paulo’s economic development based on the advancement of knowledge and technology
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