The national robot and drone cluster has received its first industry sponsorship, just weeks after being selected as one of Denmark’s future clusters. The DKK 1 million sponsorship from Bitten & Mads Clausen’s Foundation will strengthen the establishment of the new cluster – particularly in the Sonderborg area, where a regional hub will be established next year.
Bitten & Mads Clausen’s Foundation is the first industry sponsor of Denmark’s new national cluster for robotics, automation and drone technology, Odense Robotics. The sponsorship is dedicated to strengthening collaboration opportunities between clusters members and Danfoss, as well as establishing a regional hub for robot, automation and drone companies in the Sonderborg area.
“Robotics technology holds huge untapped potential for improving manufacturing and this sponsorship can play a significant role in creating growth and innovation – locally, nationally and globally. The sponsorship gives Danfoss the opportunity to collaborate even closer with robot and automation companies, and in doing so gain deeper insight into how the company can optimise its production. We are proud to be the new national robot cluster’s first industry sponsor and contribute towards strengthening the cluster’s activities in Southern Denmark, where there is a strong high–tech environment today,” says Per Have,CEO, Bitten & Mads Clausen’s Foundation.
Insight into the latest technology
In Sonderborg, there is a high concentration of integrators, end users and companies operating within machine manufacturing and mechatronics. The sponsorship will strengthen the industry in the Sonderborg area by forging closer ties with the entire national ecosystem and offering companies improved access to innovation and growth collaboration opportunities.
“As an advanced end user of robotics technology and a front runner within smart manufacturing, Danfoss values dialogue with small innovative companies because they can provide us with insight into the latest technologies and accelerate our innovation. We have greatlyenjoyed collaborating with companies around Odense and at the innovative robotics environment at the University of Southern Denmark.Now the potential is even greater. Together with Odense Robotics, we will embed our knowledge in the Sonderborg area for the benefit of Danfoss and other companies in the region,” says Jakob Fredsted, Senior Vice President, Technology, Danfoss Drives.
Strengthen industry in Sonderborg and nationally
Odense Robotics expects to establish the Sonderborg regional hub in the first quarter of next year. It will be one of five regional hubs in the national cluster. Each hub will be a focal point for innovation and development within robotics, automation and drone technology in the area.
The sponsorship from Bitten & Mads Clausen’s Foundation is an important step in establishing the national cluster and a Sonderborg hub, which will be a focal point for innovation and development within robotics and automation in the region. Collaborating with global players such as Danfoss is win-win, because it allows us to bring robot, drone and automation companies even closer to large end–user companies. This benefits Denmark’s competitiveness and strengthens the development of the country’s robot cluster,” says Mikkel Christoffersen, Cluster Director, Odense Robotics, adding that he hopes to see more of Denmark’s leading manufacturing companies sponsor or collaborate with the cluster.
Mechatronics network in Sonderborg
A network already exists for companies in Sonderborg that are active within mechatronics. The network is currently led by Sønderborg Vækstråd and will be further developed as part of the national cluster.
“We have a stronghold within robotics and automation here in the Sonderborg area, with a high concentration of producers and end users. We have a strong interest in building on this strong foundation and realising the region’s growth potential – not least in relation to sustainable development and a green economy. There is no doubt that the new hub here will accelerate growth and innovation in the area,” says Michael Hamann, CEO, Sønderborg Vækstråd.
The sponsorship from Bitten & Mads Clausen’s Foundation is in line with the region’s Digital Valley alliance, which aims to strengthen collaboration and development in Southern Denmark and in the Danish-German border region. The alliance is based on the many initiatives in Southern Denmark and Schleswig Holstein within robotics technology, industrial electronics and data, digital economy and artificial intelligence.