“Unleashing Innovation: Ministry of Industry and EDGE Introduce the ‘Pioneers 4.0’ Hackathon to Tackle Industry 4.0 Challenges”
The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) together with EDGE Group PJSC (‘EDGE’ or ‘the Group’) have successfully finalized the inaugural ‘Pioneers 4.0’ Hackathon series, which is part of a set of initiatives aimed at accelerating digital transformation. This endeavor follows the memorandum of understanding (MoU) established by the two entities in August 2022, designed to broaden EDGE’s Learning & Innovation Factory offerings to the UAE’s industrial ecosystem, and to partner in the development of an Industry 4.0 Enablement Centre.
The ‘Pioneers 4.0’ Hackathon series will feature two challenges each year. Each contest will present a distinct problem statement that tackles industrial challenges, promoting digital transformation and operational excellence within diverse factory environments, and enabling participants to more accurately forecast and prepare for the needs and future demands of the industry.
The opening challenge of ‘Pioneers 4.0’ occurred from 21-22 November 2022 at the EDGE Learning & Innovation Factory in Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Microsoft as the Technical Partner. This event allowed 15 students from premier UAE universities, including the American University of Sharjah, Higher College of Technology, Khalifa University, Mohammed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), New York University Abu Dhabi, Zayed University, and the University of Manchester, to work in teams and propose innovative solutions to the selected problem statement.
The challenge prompted participants to utilize data sourced from sensors and manufacturing execution systems to create a solution grounded in artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies aimed at enhancing predictive maintenance. It sought to improve maintenance capabilities threefold: first, to anticipate machine failures and unplanned downtimes; second, to forecast energy consumption and sensor anomalies during manufacturing processes; and third, to analyze production line data during production cycles, assessing the manufacturing quality with the available data.
On the second day, 22 November, participating students presented their solutions to a panel of subject matter experts from MoIAT, EDGE, and Microsoft, vying to be declared the winners of the challenge.
Zhaksylyk Kazykenov, Aidana Nurakhmetova, and Samar Fares from MBZUAI, alongside Shaikha Al Athmani from the University of Manchester, clinched the victory in the first Hackathon challenge due to their inventive business case and ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking.
The ‘Pioneers 4.0’ Hackathon is in alignment with the UAE’s Industry 4.0 programme (I4.0), which aims to foster the integration of advanced technologies within the industrial sector via various enablers and incentives. The Champions 4.0 Network, a consortium of prominent national and global firms including EDGE and Microsoft, serves as a fundamental component of I4.0. Within this network, companies explore partnerships and collaborations that lead to the expedited adoption of digital transformations and 4IR solutions.
Tariq Al Hashmi, Head of Technology Development and Adoption at MoIAT, remarked: “Through initiatives like the Champions 4.0 Network, the Ministry is dedicated to uniting partners to bolster the digitalization and competitiveness of the UAE’s industrial sector. This Hackathon exemplifies how leading national firms can collaborate with global corporations – and academic institutions – leveraging the UAE’s industrial ecosystem to not only support each other’s goals but also to enhance the skill sets of the national workforce. We extend our congratulations to the winners of the first Pioneers 4.0 cohort and anticipate witnessing the long-term benefits of the initiative.”
The ‘Pioneers 4.0’ Hackathon series is designed to bridge the divide between university education and the industrial ecosystem, providing Bachelor, Master, and PhD students the chance to apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios and contribute to resolving some of the pressing challenges faced by today’s industry.
Mohittin Milen Kourtev, Head of EDGE Learning & Innovation Factory, EDGE, added: “The Pioneers 4.0 Hackathon series represents a pivotal Industry 4.0 initiative that will facilitate the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies and propel digital transformation within operations. In partnership with MoIAT, EDGE aims to unite some of the nation’s brightest talents to tackle both current and prospective challenges within the industry, and to help shape the future with intelligent and actionable solutions.”
EDGE Learning & Innovation Factory integrates theory, technology, and practice under one roof to drive enhancements and inspire an innovative approach, promoting digital transformation and the modernization of operations. It offers trainees engaging, gamified, and applicable learning experiences in alignment with future industrial requirements.
Members of the Champions 4.0 Network include EDGE, Microsoft, ADNOC, Honeywell, Unilever, Schneider Electric, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), Cisco, Siemens, Aveva, SAP, Etisalat, IBM, Huawei, Strata, PTC, and Ericsson. By supporting firms in incorporating 4IR technologies into their operations, the network boosts the UAE’s overall industrial competitiveness, leading to reduced costs, heightened productivity and efficiency, improved quality, enhanced safety, and the creation of new employment opportunities.
