CRS4 is a partner in Damas, Digital hub for AutoMotive and AeroSpace, to foster the green digital transformation of aerospace and automotive supply chains throughout Italy. The project focuses on high performance computing and artificial intelligence, and makes use of state-of-the-art technologies, particularly in the areas of cloud computing, big data, virtual and augmented reality, simulation with digital twins, space technologies and sustainable computing, the so-called green computing that aims to create systems with a low environmental impact. Damas is funded with 6 million euros and will be part of Edih (European digital innovation hub), the network promoted by the European Commission to foster digital innovation.
In addition to Leonardo, the project leader, and the joint ventures e-Geos and Thales Alenia Space Italia, the new hub includes Ferrari, on the automotive side, and Intesa Sanpaolo on the financial side.
Damas also includes leading national SMEs such as E4 Computer Engineering, Enginsoft and Do It Systems. CRS4, together with Cineca, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Consorzio interuniversitario nazionale per l'informatica (Cirri), Motorvehide university of Emilia-Romagna (Muner), Cluster tecnologico nazionale per l'aerospazio (Ctna), e-Geos and Leonardo itself, will guarantee high-tech research and transfer capacities, and participate in the supercomputing infrastructure, both in terms of computational and storage capacities.
Damas, in line with the Edih mandate, will offer a physical infrastructure with access points distributed throughout the country and a portfolio of services for aerospace and automotive companies and public administrations. The hub will provide, among other things, training services on digital technologies for sustainable business growth; support services for obtaining financing; technology scouting activities; and testing and experimentation activities, aimed at co-designing and implementing pilot projects to support technology transfer and foster learning in the field.