Highlights:

  • Brazilian government introduces first of its kind IoT research center.
  • The center will also address research for robotics and 5G.
  • The center will act as an interactive path between the government, universities, industry, citizens, and the environment.

The Brazilian government has unveiled a brand new technology development center focusing on the Internet of Things (IoT) approach, robotics, and 5G.

The Ministry for Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI), is the first government research facility to employ the quintuple innovation helix framework, describing university-industry-government-public-environment interactions within a knowledge economy.

About the center

The center is located in Sorocaba. The foundation of the new center is expected to generate new jobs and skilled professionals in the so-called “4.0 technologies.” It will also be focusing on technology application in various sectors and product manufacturing.

The facility’s activities are managed in partnership with the Sorocaba city government. It will follow the priorities set out in the national strategy for the Internet of Things and the national strategy for digital transformation.

One of the center’s first initiatives is a project focused on 5G that can be replicated by large, medium, and small organizations, along with universities, technical schools, and other organizations. The center will utilize a digital model to share the outcomes of several projects.

Created in March 2018, Brazil’s National IoT Plan was announced as one of the country’s Digital Transformation Strategy pillars. Delivered in June 2019, the strategy provides a mechanism for strengthening the IoT’s national innovation ecosystem and development.

Smart Cities, Healthcare, Agribusiness, and Manufacturing, are the four core verticals of Brazil’s IoT plan. The plan was devised by a study funded by BNDES (The Brazilian Development Bank) and carried out by a consortium led by McKinsey. As per the research, IoT-related businesses could bring up to USD 200 million to the Brazilian economy by 2025.

Other recent developments

Other highlights in the IoT development in Brazil included launching a USD 45 million venture capital fund in May, focusing on early-stage investments in companies working for the IoT and connectivity space.

The Brazilian Development Fund and Qualcomm Ventures launched vehicles are managed by Indicator Capital, the first of its kind in Latin America. Over 30 start-ups in Series A round will receive support for the next ten years and expects to close seven deals in 2021.