Gibraltar And La Línea governments have joined forces with WISeKey to foster industry 4.0 and accelerate digital transformation of the region.
What happened? WISeKey signs two MoUs with Mr. Fabian Picardo, Chief Minister of Gibraltar and the Mayor of La Línea de la Concepción, Mr. Juan Franco, for the development of a joint 4th Industrial Revolution Center of Excellence (LLG 4IR Center of Excellence) spearheading innovation in the region.
WISeKey is a global cybersecurity company currently deploying large scale digital identity ecosystems for people and objects using Blockchain, AI and IoT respecting the Human as the Fulcrum of the Internet.
WISeKey To Set Up Industry 4.0 Center of Excellence in Gibraltar
According to the MoU, the Government of Gibraltar and La Línea will work with WISeKey to set up a joint 4th Industrial Revolution Center of Excellence (LLG 4IR Center of Excellence).
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR or Industry 4.0) is the ongoing automation of traditional manufacturing and industrial practices, using modern smart technologies, including IoT, M2M, robotics, and Blockchain. These smart technologies are integrated into the system for increased automation, improved communication, and self-monitoring.
“The 4th Industrial Revolution changes the dynamics of the technology and value creation chain, cross-border collaboration and the way companies integrate their research and technology to create value for their customers, states WISekey.
Industry 4.0 paves the way for new business and cooperation models through integrating business partners and clients. The proposed joint 4IR Center of Excellence will assist innovative start-ups in areas such as AI, Blockchain, IoT, Satellite, Drones, Cybersecurity and Quantum to perform collective R&D activities. It will also help promote their technologies internationally, facilitate the rapid adaptation and on-boarding of 4IR-based solutions, foster stronger collaboration between the public, private and academic sectors and cooperate to ensure that the latest technological standards are made available in a safe and trusted manner.
The Gibraltar Industry 4.0 Center of Excellence plans to start operations with the launch of WISeSAT Fossa Systems satellites by the end of the 2021 with an earth station located in La Linea. The objective of this pilot project is to enable the joint center to become a hub for IoT cybersecurity satellite deployment and communication under plans being advanced by WISeKey and Fossa Systems.
“The LLG 4IR Center of Excellence will play a pivotal role in uplifting the technical skills of the regional workforce and bringing advanced technology capabilities to realize the digital transformation of the region,” states Mr. Juan Franco, Mayor of La Línea. “The LLG 4IR Center of Excellence will also benefit from WISeKey’s operational performance to enable greater efficiencies and significant cost savings and help further strengthen their global leadership in 4iE technologies.”
Mr. Fabian Picardo, Chief Minister of Gibraltar, said: “We are excited about the potential of the LLG 4IR Center of Excellence which is expected to play a key role in accelerating the digital transformation across Gibraltar, be pivotal in enabling a paradigm shift for our operations through more digital technologies, while unlocking new business and operating models.”
WISekey has developed many blockchain/ IoT Center of Excellence in different countries, including China, India, Rwanda, Mauritius, and Switzerland. The LLG 4IR Center of Excellence will connect securely with the WISeKey Geneva Center of Excellence and will coordinate with other centers and Blockchain ecosystems around the world, allowing all partners to fully benefit from shared experiences and resources. Each Center of Excellence is expected to develop a particular expertise that can be shared among all centers.
Carlos Moreira, Founder and CEO of WISeKey, said:
“We are delighted to join forces with Gibraltar and La Línea governmental authorities. Currently, WISeKey is working with several government and leading global companies to establish centers of excellence in selected regions around the world for the creation of a number of interconnected Centers of Excellence and has entered into strategic agreements with a series of disruptive companies working with 4IR technologies. As we can witness with the development of the Malaga Valley, where I was personally involved with the planning/development and have been serving as Vice President since 2015, this part of the world has a unique appeal due to its geolocation.”
