DTI, Bosch team up to bring Industry 4.0 to Philippines

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and global manufacturing leader Bosch are working on the possibility of developing a manufacturing pilot factory that will involve the use of artificial intelligence (AI), among other advanced technologies.

In a statement on Tuesday, the DTI said that it signed a memorandum of understanding with Bosch representatives last June 7 during a meeting in Singapore.

The intention is to harness cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices that will drive the transformation of the Philippine manufacturing sector.

“As we unveil the first state-of-the-art Industry 4.0 pilot factory in the Philippines, this factory will serve as an experiential learning laboratory, equipped with automation technologies powered by Bosch and other technology partners,” Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said in a statement.

According to the DTI, the pilot factory will feature state-of-the-art industry standards, establishing lab experiences that simulate real-world manufacturing environments and integrating topics such as the internet of things, artificial intelligence and digital manufacturing.

Further, the trade department said that the agreement formalizes their partnership with Bosch in pursuing science, technology, and innovation-driven industrialization.

The DTI noted that the widespread adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies and the continuous upskilling and reskilling of the Filipino workforce are among the key pillars of their industrialization strategy.

For his part, Bosch regional president in Southeast Asia Vijay Ratnaparkhe expressed their pride in collaborating with the DTI to enhance the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector in the Philippines.

“Through this partnership, we will help strengthen the Philippines’ industrial capabilities and readiness for advanced technologies, while promoting sustainable economic growth and resilience in a rapidly evolving industry,” Ratnaparkhe said.

Pascual also brought up the plans for establishing the Philippines Center for Artificial Intelligence Research this year, as well as the goal to set up a national innovation gateway.

The DTI said these programs will provide a comprehensive ecosystem and innovation infrastructure that will foster collaboration, drive innovation, and catalyze growth through the convergence of industry, academia, startups and government.