Mälardalen Industrial Technology Center

Sweden: East-Central Sweden

Overview

MITC was established in 2011 after the manufacturing industry of the Mälardalen region expressed a desire to work more structured and long-term focused with competence development and academic collaboration. A collaboration platform was set up consisting of Mälardalen University as the competence base. Today around 20 people from the University and industry are actively involved in MITCs operations. MITC is a not-for-profit organisation that provides services to industry, ranging from technology development and case studies to coaching programmes for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). In 2019, MITC established its Technology Center in Eskilstuna, which will further strengthen MITC as a catalyst for industrial renewal and change.

The aim of MITC is to establish the Mälardalen region as a competitive node for development, education and research in direct collaboration with the manufacturing industry. MITC has member companies, for example, Volvo Construction Equipment, Volvo GTO, GKN, Alfa Laval and Hexagon, and has over the years worked with over 150 SMEs, representing a large part of the region’s industrial base. Areas of focus for are manufacturing, industrialisation, and product development with digitalisation and sustainability as cross-sectional areas. Lately, particular focus has been on advanced robotics, cyber-physical systems and artificial intelligence.

The operational purpose of MITC is two-fold; firstly to efficiently and effectively plan, finance, coordinate and undertake development and research projects in close collaboration with industry and academia. Secondly, MITC runs a large variety of coaching and support actions towards SMEs. Activities are carried out in various large and small-scale projects funded by the EU, Vinnova, the Swedish Agency for Regional and Economic Growth, the Swedish Knowledge Foundation and the Regions of Sörmland and Örebro, in close alliance with other strong regional actors such as Robotdalen, Automation Region, Södertälje Science Park, Alfred Nobel Science Park as well as Örebro University and the Royal Institute for Technology. MITC has many years of experience running coaching and development programmes with SMEs. Several effective programmes have been developed in areas such as lean manufacturing, digitalisation, production development, and promotion of female leaders in industry. MITC also runs a long-term initiative, TransMission, supporting suppliers in the heavy vehicle industry in the transformation towards electric and autonomous vehicles.

The University’s strong research base in production systems, product development, AI, cyber-physical systems, robotics and embedded systems provides ample competence and resources to undertake innovative projects in close collaboration with representatives from the member companies and SMEs. Equipped with the latest digital technologies and networks, the Center hosts projects on, for example, advanced robotics for industrial applications, collaborative robotics, IoT, VR and AR, AI applications, digital twin.

  Digital technologies.

Sectors
Other services activities - Activities of membership organisations - Repair of computers and personal and household goods - Other personal service activities - Other manufacturing - Public administration and defence; compulsory social security - Real estate activities - Professional, scientific and technical activities - Legal and accounting activities - Activities of head offices; management consultancy activities - Architectural and engineering activities; technical testing and analysis - Scientific research and development - Advertising and market research - Other professional, scientific and technical activities - Veterinary activities - Administrative and support service activities - Rental and leasing activities - Employment activities - Travel agency, tour operator and other reservation service and related activities - Security and investigation activities - Services to buildings and landscape activities - Office administrative, office support and other business support activities
Technology
Sensory systems - Cyber physical systems - Robotics - Internet of things - Artificial intelligence - Interaction technologies - Virtual, augmented and extended reality - Simulation, modelling and digital twins - Additive manufacturing