ODENSE ROBOTICS - A BRAND NEW CLUSTER TO SECURE DENMARK'S POSITION

After more than a year of intensive preparations, it is now official. Denmark’s new national robot, automation and drone cluster has gone live.

Under the name of Odense Robotics, it will bring together the entire ecosystem to drive innovation and growth in the industry across the country. The cluster has regional hubs in Aalborg, Aarhus, Copenhagen, Odense and Sonderborg, the cluster secretariat is located in Odense (Denmark's 3rd largest city).

The cluster is founded on partnerships with leading knowledge institutions: Aalborg University, Aarhus University, Kolding Design School, Danmark’s Technical University, FORCE Technology, the University of Southern Denmark and the Danish Technological Institute. The cluster’s activities will engage the entire value chain and address a wide range of technologies, such as safe robot-human interaction, artificial intelligence in robots, developing successful startups and shaping more globally competitive companies. And always with a focus on how robots, automation and drones can contribute to a greener future. The new cluster builds upon the strong foundation created by the three merged organisations: the regional cluster Odense Robotics, the national drone cluster UAS Denmark and the innovation network RoboCluster. After just a month, the cluster has signed up more than 120 members. It’s a great start, but there’s still a lot of work ahead to build the cluster and reach companies nationally.

"Denmark’s robot, automation and drone companies are driven by the need to accelerate their growth and innovation, and that’s exactly what we aim to do in the new national cluster. We have succeeded in gathering the entire ecosystem and look forward to collaborating with companies and knowledge partners on a wide range of technological areas – across the country and across the entire value chain.” - Mikkel Christoffersen, Director

Odense Robotics CEO Mikkel Christoffersen explains how the cluster is taking shape and what to expect.

How is the new cluster taking shape?

We are gradually building the cluster step by step. It’s fantastic that we already have more than 120 members after just over a month. We hope more companies will apply to join, so we can gradually bring together the entire ecosystem. Members will experience more and more activities as we develop.

When will the regional hubs be ready?

The secretariat in Odense is operational and we are working on steadily establishing regional hubs across the country, so companies nationwide can benefit from the cluster’s projects and activities. Bongki Engel, the latest addition to Odense Robotics team, joined us earlier last month and will play a strong role in developing the Sonderborg Hub, which is expected to be up and running this spring. We expect to launch our hubs in Aalborg, Aarhus and Copenhagen in a few months.

What projects do you have now – and what’s coming up? Currently, we have several projects where companies can develop their technology, concept or service in collaboration with knowledge institutions, such as Digital Twins, Digital Omstilling – Innovationssamarbejder and Digitaliserings Boost. This year, we will launch Global Growth Robotics. It’s an exciting project that will provide a tailored acceleration programme for Danish robot, drone and automation companies seeking to grow internationally. The project aims to realise the huge growth potential in the industry.

How do you find out the needs of the industry?

Over the next few months, we will be meeting robotics, automation and drone companies across the country – virtually or physically, depending on pandemic restrictions. We are really looking forward to gaining a deeper insight into companies and their needs – and creating more awareness of how the cluster’s activities and projects can help companies innovate and grow.

Find out more: www.odenserobotics.dk