The Center for Development and Technological Innovation (CDIT) Vallejo-i was created as part of the revitalization project for the Vallejo industrial area, bringing together industry, academia, research instances, education and local government in Mexico City.
CDIT Vallejo-i has already manufactured one and a half million face masks, an oximeter, a glucometer, created a biodiesel plant and a team of scientists is currently working on assembling lithium batteries and developing other technologies.
“We have four laboratories or areas. The Entrepreneurial Connection Unit works on patents and it also has a very interesting business to business platform; Industry 4.0 focuses on internet of things, like smart home systems; Geointelligence, which is a center that belongs to Conacyt, which is the National Council for Science and Technology; Artificial Intelligence and Computing,” mentions Mr. José Bernardo Rosas, General Director of Innovation and Technology at Secretariat of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (SECTEI).
The triple helix model (government, academia and private sector) is a bullet proof model used all around the world to create patents and startups. It has been implemented successfully in Silicon Valley, California and Mexicali, Baja California and it is now being used at CDIT Vallejo-i, an industrial area located in Azcapotzalco in Mexico City. This model should help underpin economic and social development in the area while not being detrimental for the environment.
Mr. José Bernardo Rosas mentions that there are currently ten entrepreneurs and six service platforms at CDIT. The most popular platforms are the circular economy and tourism. There are also many different companies, there is an electric car company and a health company that designed a non-invasive glucometer. “It is a hub and there are sub-hubs within it. Several universities are involved in a single lab, and each university leads a different project, it is an experiment that has worked out well. We also offer solutions for governments in need of a digital transformation.”
CDIT Vallejo-i brings together local government agencies in Mexico City such as SECTEI and Public Digital Innovation Agency (ADIP), academic entities like National Autonomous University (UNAM), National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) and Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM) and the private sector through the Confederation of Industrial Chambers of the United Mexican States (CONCAMIN).
The Center for Data Processing and Network Operation, managed by ADIP, hosts the platforms for the Civil Registry Office in Mexico City, the Property Records Office, the Mobility System, the Missing Persons Number *0311 (LOCATEL) and the government program Mi beca para empezar.
Approximately MXN $100 million were invested in the Center for Data Processing and Network Operation and it is estimated it will store between 400 and 500 terabytes. Mexico City is the first city in Latin America to have a data storage center certified as ICREA Level III, which puts it at the level of centers in the United States, Canada and Europe.
“Our aim is to help small and mid-sized companies to be more competitive, which is something that had not been done in Mexico until recently. We want to come up with value solutions for the different productive areas within the industry, such as logistics, intellectual property and sanitation permits.” José Bernardo Rosas, General Director of Innovation and Technology at SECTEI.
The best industry players are part of CDIT
The purpose of CDIT Vallejo-i is to create innovation solutions for the industry and for the city. CDIT is a cluster that hosts geointelligence labs, industrial logistics, internet of things, robotics, new materials, construction prototypes, business to business platforms, technology transfer, intellectual property and entrepreneurship based on 4.0 industry, all applied to solving the specific problems of Mexico City.
“Our aim is to help small and mid-sized companies to be more competitive, which is something that had not been done in Mexico until recently. We want to come up with value solutions for the different productive areas within the industry, such as logistics, intellectual property and sanitation permits. We are also working on a 4.0 industry diagnostic program, together with the CONCAMIN. We want to prove that it is possible to achieve world-class Mexican technology, in fact we have already registered brands and patented technology and innovation all made in Mexico,” says Mr. José Bernardo Rosas, General Director of Innovation and Technology at SECTEI.
Mr. Rosas highlights that CDIT Vallejo-i has the best players in the industry, including researchers, scientists, interns and all kinds of professionals. “Are you looking for an engineering intern? We can find it for you, and you pay for his/her hours. Companies should really not create innovation centers. There are many existing labs that they can use, for example, we have a specialized lab for drug detection.”
It will have the facilities and installations that guarantee the efficient operation of the tenants, as well as the equipment and services that strengthen the balance and harmony of those who work at Kampus Industrial.
Likewise, Mr. Rosas mentions that CDIT’s goals for this year include closing 15 industrial projects, 100 company diagnostics and 100 innovation diagnostics. They are currently working with big corporations such as Bimbo, Pochteca Group and Bolco and are also working on government projects, for example, the earthquake network in Mexico, which will be one of the most monitored in the world, together with Tokyo and LA, as it will have 180 stations in real time.
“This is an invitation to our readers to reach out to us, we can determine what are the challenges you are facing and how we can help you overcome any issues you have using the CDIT capabilities, which offer taylormade technology solutions. International entrepreneurs from Ireland and Finland have reached out to us and the most important thing for them is to have access to our knowledge network and a gateway to Vallejo and ultimately to Mexico. Therefore, it is possible to increase our reach both nationally and internationally to share knowledge, solutions and market opportunities that create value. There are areas in which we are highly competitive and there are things that might work out cheaper to have done in Mexico, considering an engineer at Silicon Valley is extremely expensive,” says Mr. Rosas.
He also mentions they worked with MegaFlux, a Mexican company that manufactures electric trucks and that recently sold 80 electric trucks to Grupo Modelo.
MegaFlux and the Mexico City Passenger Transport Network (RTP) signed a contract to manufacture an 10.5 meter long electric bus. Megaflux participates in finding new electromobility solutions for Mexico City. The City 's government has been exploring new ways to strengthen the existing electric transport.
In terms of labor, Mr. Rosas expresses that most of the jobs available in the Vallejo area are low-paid jobs. However, the creation of centers like CDIT are definitely contributing to improve working conditions and of course, to increase salaries. “This is a place where you can connect nationally and internationally and the idea is to seek ways to help each other through the use of technology, understand the challenges you face and find business opportunities. We are here to serve companies, small and mid-sized companies in particular. We are not academic, but we use academia to create a competitive edge.”
Since its inauguration, CDIT Vallejo-i has held 25 meetings with the most important industrial sectors in Mexico and in the Azcapotzalco borough. “Within the first six months of our existence, we have managed to spread the word and about 70% of the industry knows there is a new innovation center. I believe it will take us perhaps another four months to reach out to more people,” points out Mr. Rosas.
CDIT Laboratories
1. Center for Data Processing ICREA Level III Certified. This is one of the top certifications worldwide. The Center uses a hybrid cloud model for processing and storing data. This world-class IT center will be the most important data processing center in Mexico City.
2. 4.0 Industry Lab. Designed to co-create solutions and innovative, comprehensive technological services to improve the performance of the industrial and logistics sectors in Vallejo and in Mexico City. Innovative solutions are also aimed at creating efficiencies in energy use, internet of things, manufacturing and intelligent services.
3. Prototypes and Materials Lab. Created to design and manufacture devices and technological prototypes, including numerical control manufacturing, 3D printing, electronic circuits, metal-mechanic tools and materials digital library.
4. Computer based laboratory. This laboratory offers Mexico City technological products and services to create intelligent solutions for a safe society.
5. Space for innovation and connectivity. This space will foster through alliances knowledge sharing, innovation, technological entrepreneurship, applied research, specialized capability building and scale solution creation.
