The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said they hope to start the operation of the Industry 4.0 pilot factory in the Calabarzon area by next year. The facility features high-grade modern technology and equipment.
DTI Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba said the Industry 4.0 pilot factory’s initial cost will be around P300 million to P400 million which will cover capital and operating expenditures. The facility will build the government’s artificial intelligence (AI) sandbox.
As part of the agency’s Inclusive Innovation Industrial Strategy (i³S) to make Philippine industries become more innovative and globally competitive, the Industry 4.0 pilot factory will house advanced technologies like robotics, intelligence-of-things, drones, and virtual and augmented reality, among others.
Aldaba said the expenditures include the “installation of modular cyber physical proof of concept line, technology and advanced analytics software, R&D (research and development) training subsidies, a demonstration and tech space, etc.”
“We are partnering with tech companies who would bring in advanced manufacturing equipment like robots, intelligent manufacturing systems, cyber physical systems, etc.,” she added.
Aldaba said tech firm Siemens and the Union Bank of the Philippines are among DTI’s initial partners in Industry 4.0 pilot factory, as well as other large companies that will bring in cutting-edge manufacturing technologies to the facility.
She said the Industry 4.0 pilot factory is intended to help provide these advanced technologies to local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and startup enterprises which do not have the capital to invest in this kind of equipment.
Aldaba also stressed that industry transformation is at the forefront of the government’s strategy to provide quality jobs for Filipinos. To attract these kinds of investments into the country, the Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) focuses on investment activities that are science and technology-based and will stimulate innovation in Philippine industries, she added.