CRIQ, Festo team up for Industry 4.0

Jul. 22, 2016 – During an economic mission to Germany last week organized by Quebec’s ministry of economy, science, and innovation, Centre de recherche industrielle du Québec (CRIQ) and Festo signed an agreement to help speed up introduction of the principles of Industry 4.0 and smart factories in Quebec’s manufacturing sector.

Under the agreement, CRIQ will be able to access new specialized resources and about 30,000 “avant-garde” automation technologies tried and tested in more than 175 countries, said the parties, adding that the Festo team will collaborate with a research team from CRIQ that specializes in robotization, artificial intelligence, telematics, numerical control, production systems organization, and Big Data management.

“Ultimately, this collaboration will give rise to factory technology showcases that other companies can look to for inspiration, and will breathe new life into Quebec’s industrial sector,” they noted.

“This partnership is a clear commitment by CRIQ to the digital shift our Quebec companies are undertaking, and it speaks to the importance we place on the modernization of industry in our research activities,” said Denis Hardy, president and CEO of CRIQ.

“Festo is delighted to have signed this collaboration agreement with Centre de recherche industrielle du Québec. In our ever-changing environment, our partnership will ensure the competitiveness of Quebec’s manufacturing sector thanks to the adoption of the principles of Industry 4.0,” added Roger Hallett, president and CEO of Festo Canada.  

— With files from CRIQ and Festo