Nokia and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), a public university, have announced the opening of the Nokia Center of Excellence (CoE) at the IISc Bengaluru.
The CoE will encourage cross-discipline research into robotics and communication technologies in 5G and artificial intelligence (AI), while also facilitating collaboration between academics, start-ups and industry partners.
The centre will also oversee work conducted across industrial automation, agriculture and disaster management.
The research undertaken at the CoE will reportedly include the design of advanced robotics, AI and automation solutions built on next-generation telecom networks and their applications for wider societal problems.
The agreement for establishing the CoE was completed in August 2020.
Nokia will fund the research hub for three years to support the first phase of the partnership between it and IISc.
Nishant Batra, chief strategy and technology officer at Nokia, said: “We want India to drive global innovation in an era of convergence where a few years from now, extended reality and digital-physical fusion will allow us to create, collaborate and communicate in unprecedented ways.
“There is substantial untapped intellectual capability and competence in India, and our collaboration with a prestigious institution like IISc will enable exciting possibilities for industry and society.”
From launching 2G/GSM technology in India in early 2000 to now preparing the country for 5G, Nokia claims to have played a critical role in the nation’s technological advancement over the past 22 years.
