Nelson Ferreira, innovation project coordinator, shared the vision behind the Augmanity project and the impact of new technologies on factories.
In an interview with Nelson Ferreira, head of Manufacturing Digitalisation at Bosch Home Comfort, we explore how the Augmanity project, co-financed by COMPETE 2020, is transforming factories with cutting-edge technology and a focus on human beings.
The Augmanity project, co-financed by COMPETE 2020, is revolutionising Portuguese industry with innovative solutions that integrate advanced technology and human potential. Nelson Ferreira, innovation project coordinator at Bosch Home Comfort, shared the vision behind this project and the impact of new technologies on factories.
Redefining Industry 4.0 and preparing for Industry 5.0
Augmanity goes beyond digitalisation. Nelson Ferreira explains that the project not only drives digital transformation, but also puts human beings at the centre of production processes. ‘Augmanity is at the forefront of developing solutions to the challenges of Industry 5.0, which places the worker at the centre. We use the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence (AIoT) to create an environment where technology empowers people, making factories more agile and motivating,’ he says.
The project, which combines digitalisation and automation with ‘human-centred design’, is not just aimed at improving productivity. Ferreira adds: ‘We want to create a space where workers’ creativity and well-being are promoted, while also increasing their continuous development. The future of industry is not about replacing people, but empowering them.’
Impact on efficiency and sustainability
Augmanity’s innovations are already transforming the way factories operate. Nelson Ferreira reveals that the integration of cyber-physical systems, digital twins and artificial intelligence is significantly reducing energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. ‘We have factories that have already managed to reduce energy consumption by 20 per cent and CO₂ emissions by more than 30 per cent,’ says Ferreira.
These gains are achieved through real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance algorithms. ‘We are able to anticipate faults and automatically adjust processes, which avoids waste and increases efficiency,’ he explains. Simulations made with digital twins allow us to test new layouts and production flows, which reduces environmental impact and optimises production.
International recognition: the Outsystems ONE award
The Augmanity project was recognised internationally with the Outsystems ONE Innovation Award in Amsterdam, thanks to the Skillinx platform developed as part of the project. ‘This award validates our ability to transform the industry by integrating emerging technologies and developing skills. Skillinx is a key part of this process,’ says Nelson Ferreira.
Ferreira also emphasises the importance of bringing academia and industry together in the same project: ‘The award is the result of collaboration between different areas, showing the value of combining academic vision with industrial execution capacity.’
The crucial role of COMPETE 2020
Augmanity’s success would not have been possible without the support of COMPETE 2020. Nelson Ferreira recognises the importance of this funding in making the project viable. ‘COMPETE 2020 has provided the necessary resources for us to develop disruptive technologies that would otherwise be considered risky in a sector such as industry,’ he says.
The funding also allowed Bosch to explore new opportunities and continue to innovate. ‘True innovation is not limited to a single project. COMPETE 2020 has helped us identify new challenges and prepare for the future of Industry 5.0,’ concludes Ferreira.
The Augmanity project is an example of how technological innovation, supported by strategic programmes, can put Portuguese industry at the forefront of digital transformation, while promoting sustainability and human development.
The project, promoted by a consortium led by Bosch Termotecnologia, bringing together a total of 23 entities, was co-financed by COMPETE 2020 under the Incentive Systems for Research and Technological Development (Mobilising Programmes), involving an eligible investment of 7.4 million euros, which resulted in an ERDF incentive of around 4.8 million euros.
Augmanity project website.
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