Dubai
Abu Dhabi state-owned investment vehicle Mubadala has announced plans to invest Dh82.5 million in research and development (R&D) in its aerospace, renewables and information technology (AR&I) platform over the next five years.
On Tuesday, it said the funding would be used to accelerate several technology development projects, focusing on concepts from the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
These include 3D printing, digital manufacturing and advanced materials.
Mubadala says that the programme will build on the success of its existing R&D programme, launched in September 2015, by collaborating with selected original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and local universities.
It added that the programme would support the growth strategies of Strata Manufacturing (Strata) and Turbine Services & Solutions (TS&S), two of Mubadala’s leading aerospace and industrial businesses.
“R&D is critical to Abu Dhabi realising its vision for a diversified, knowledge-based economy,” said Khaled Al Qubaisi, CEO of Mubadala’s AR&I platform.
“This investment will allow us to explore new applications for innovative technologies that have the potential to catalyse the growth and competitiveness of our manufacturing and services offerings — and ultimately, help to advance the emirate’s industrial ecosystem,” he added.
Areas of focus for the group’s research range from industrial internet of things (IIOT) and advanced materials research, to piloting additive manufacturing as a new processing technique, to the investigation of artificial intelligence tools to enhance MRO processes.
