Meet SkillAugment

We had a chat with Manuel Oliveira, CEO of SkillAugment, a company that developed the Kit-AR solution – an Augmented Reality (AR) platform for the industry, focusing on improving the production processes. This platform recently completed a funding round of 3.3 million euros to expand the team and accelerate business growth.

What is the connection between SkillAugment and INESC TEC?

SkillAugment, a pioneering startup, has established a strategic collaboration with INESCTEC to enhance digital transformation initiatives in the manufacturing sector. This partnership leverages INESCTEC’s deep research expertise and SkillAugment’s innovative platform, which is designed to empower shopfloor workers by digitally augmenting their capabilities, thus empowering them to deal with increasingly complex tasks while minimizing the likelihood of human error. The synergy between INESCTEC’s research acumen and SkillAugment’s practical experience, creates a distinctive value proposition for manufacturing firms enabling them to achieve significant improvements in operational efficiency that result in tangible return on investment. This collaboration represents a forward-thinking approach to merging academic research with industrial application, driving meaningful advancements in shopfloor digitalization. 

What are the main results of this collaboration?

The collaboration between the two organizations has led to notable achievements, highlighted by their joint endeavour on the PT2020 project titled “Digital Enhanced Operator” (DEO). In this project, SkillAugment’s platform was effectively showcased at Autoeuropa Volkswagen, demonstrating its potential to digitally empower workers on the shopfloor. Additionally, the partnership has produced joint publications, sharing insights and outcomes from their collaborative research. Building on this success, the two entities are currently applying their collective expertise to innovate within the Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO) sector at OGMA. This ongoing collaboration focuses on developing and implementing advanced techniques and strategies, aiming to set new benchmarks in MRO practices and contribute valuable knowledge to the field. 

How do you rate your experience with INESC TEC?

Our collaboration with INESCTEC stands out as a model of excellence, underscored by a seamless integration of diverse skills and experiences from both sides. SkillAugment’s deep-rooted R&D culture plays a crucial role in nurturing a synergistic bond between the two organizations, enabling us to innovate and create together effectively. Similarly, INESCTEC’s expertise in applied research complements this partnership perfectly, enhancing our ability to connect with and add value to manufacturing companies. 

What do you value the most in this collaboration?

We value the mutual trust that has been established and the shared drive to facilitate meaningful transformation within the manufacturing sector. Our collaboration is focused on achieving impactful outcomes that not only enhance operational efficiencies but also yield sustainable benefits for the workers, the organizations, and the broader environment. Our mutual dedication underscores the partnership’s core mission: to effect positive change that resonates at multiple levels, ensuring that our collective efforts contribute to a more efficient, equitable, and environmentally conscious manufacturing companies. 

What can we expect from SkillAugment over the upcoming years?

SkillAugment’s recent completion of a successful investment round is a testament to the company’s potential and the confidence investors have in its vision. This significant infusion of capital is poised to accelerate the company’s growth trajectory, enabling its expansion into international markets and amplifying its impact on a global scale. As SkillAugment embarks on this exciting new chapter, the sustained strategic alliance with INESCTEC remains integral to its mission. This partnership will further empower SkillAugment to drive innovation in the manufacturing sector, introducing cutting-edge solutions and practices that promise to revolutionize manufacturing processes. Together, SkillAugment and INESCTEC are committed to enhancing operational efficiency and promoting sustainability, setting new standards for the industry worldwide.