Together for Automotive with the Moravian-Silesian Automotive

BUSINESS Together for Automotive with the Moravian-Silesian Automotive Cluster The Moravian-Silesian region has always been a region where the automotive industry plays a very important role. The Automotive Cluster was established in 2006 due to a demand for collaboration between companies in the developing automotive industry in the region. Currently, it operates not only in the Moravian-Silesian Region and the Czech Republic, but it also develops territorial cooperation, mainly with Poland and Slovakia. Among its members you can find not only supplier companies for the automotive industry-with production, technology and process orientation--but also research institutes and technical universities, from the Czech Republic and beyond. The sales of the Moravian-Silesian automotive industry have risen to above 300 billion CZK per year and it directly employs more than 32,000 workers. More than 1,900 of them work in research and development. Not only are the international centres of product research located here, but the departments working on sophisticated production and logistics processes can also be found. Such a background provides a unique platform for the activities of the almost ninety members of the Automotive Cluster--an organization which is based on cooperation, innovation, commitment, trust, mutual benefits and the knowledge and abilities of people. Its goal is to strengthen the position of automotive in the region as a whole, to help the transformation of the automotive industry, and also to integrate the efforts of companies, education and research institutions, and other players in the innovation process and to contribute to the cooperation between schools and companies. The Automotive Cluster stands mainly on three activity pillars--the development of human potential, support of business collaboration and the support of research and development. The Automotive Cluster initiates projects in these fields and later on prepares, finances, and takes care of their complex management throughout project realization. 52 ǀ POSITIV 4/2020 Main activities and projects Today, the automotive industry is not only on the top of the modern industry, but also on the threshold of substantial changes. These are connected with the trends of pure mobility, connectivity and autonomous vehicle control as well as digitalization connected with automation. All of these fields bring many possibilities of development. But the main factor for success is speed and time. The Automotive Cluster tries to transform these trends into reality via both national and European projects. Throughout the existence of the Cluster, the total scope of project activities has risen to over 140 million CZK. These resources were used mainly for the education of the employees via national projects that are focused on management and leadership skills, technical fields and also language skills. The international projects have focused mainly on expanding knowledge in the field of Industry 4.0, modern technologies and knowledge on electric vehicles. A very important aspect consists of projects focused in support of business opportunities. As an example we might take the European project IMPACT, which was focused on the search for and development of companies in the field of vehicle connectivity. But the main concentration of the Automotive Cluster’s effort is directed at the field of “Research and Development.” In the past few years, specific R&D projects have been directed to the fields of plastics processing, the use of light metal or modern technologies. But the latest project, which focused on robotics or, more precisely, collaborative robotics, substantially increased awareness about the new direction of automation development. The pilot verifications proved new possibilities but also application limitations from both a technical and a legal standpoint (industrial safety standards are falling behind technical development). The trend we need to follow in all companies is digitization and automation. For verification and development in this field, the Automotive Cluster, in collaboration with MSIC, has established the Centre of Collaborative Robotics. Therefore, all members can practically, in real conditions, verify the new direction of robotics. The Cluster set up a task in its strategy: To focus on cross-sectoral collaboration with universities; to develop so-called knowledge centres, mainly in the field of digitalization, automation and circular economy; and to support the Automotive Cluster members in developing business competences, project management, process management and language skills. This strategy is implemented mainly from the approved R&D projects focused on robotics, visual component verification with the use of neural networks or usage of maraging plastics and composites. Collaboration with top level European clusters is also a very important task. These partnerships are fulfilled by participation in the international projects Lean 4.0 and AMULET. These are focused on connecting the Lean approach with elements of Industry 4.0; or, as the case may be, on the development of light materials, construction and technology usage that leads to a reduction of the car component’s weight and therefore to a reduction of emissions from car use. Thanks to this wide range of activities, every member can find their own “cup of tea.” For some, it is business collaboration arising from contacts and information. For others, Cluster membership helps to expand their product base. Many of them use the output of the collective R&D projects to move forward in the field of technology. Many companies also use the opportunities for the development of their employees. Thus, the basic mission of the Automotive Cluster--to create the conditions for the development of the competitiveness of its members and sustainable development of the region--is fulfilled.