The funding is being awarded through the 'Made Smarter' programme, a public-private partnership aiming to support the development of new digital technologies in manufacturing. The government said in a statement that adoption of data-driven innovations, such as use of AI and blockchain in supply chains or advanced robotics in manufacturing, will help manufacturers increase productivity and sustainability.
Nearly half the funding (£25m) will go towards five new research centres established at universities around the UK to accelerate the development of new manufacturing technologies. Each centre will focus on a different area of manufacturing:
- The Digital Medicines Manufacturing Research Centre will aim to create digital supply chains which enable medicines to be supplied on demand and clinical trials to operate more flexibly.
- The Research Centre for Smart, Collaborative Industrial Robotics aims to eliminate barriers to adopting robotics in manufacturing...