Development opportunity
Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star) has set up a research collaboration open to all companies in the automotive industry. The A*CAR Consortium will give members full access to the R&D results developed in the pre-competitive research as well as the option of sending their staff on attachment to work on joint research projects with the researchers from Singapore’s research institutes.
Germany’s Bosch, Singapore’s Dou Yee and Infineon and Think Global of Norway have signed up to A*CAR. The Consortium will tap into the diverse and multi-disciplinary research capabilities, scientific infrastructure and resources in Singapore’s seven research institutes. It aims to address technology challenges in five areas of: Car Communications and Safety; Connected Car and Infotainment; Electronics; Precision Engineering and Materials; and Alternative Energy.
A*Star says the collaboration will not only reduce risks and the high R&D costs involved in research, but will also enable members to train manpower and foster strategic networking. The payback for Singapore will be in the transfer of technical expertise and support to its local automotive supplier companies, helping them move up the automotive value chain.
“Bosch decided to join the A*CAR initiative because it exposes us to a different way of R&D work,” said Cem Peksaglam, President and Managing Director of Robert Bosch (SEA) Pte Ltd. “It provides us the opportunity to pool our resources and knowledge with other specialised companies in a pre-competitive phase. We are confident that this platform for mutual exchange and interaction, will not only benefit from the vast cultural diversity of Singapore; it will encourage innovations specific to the needs of the markets in this region.”
The A*CAR consortium is modelled on the A*STAR Aerospace Programme launched in January 2007, which brings together Boeing, EADS, Pratt & Whitney, and Rolls-Royce to engage in pre-competitive research across Singapore's aerospace industry. The consortium has since been expanded to include four more members, the SIA Engineering Company; UK-based non-destructive equipment manufacturer Sonatest Limited; Germany-based laser manufacturer Rofin-Baasel Singapore; and Singapore-based SME IDI Laser Services.
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