RIMA network (Robotics for Inspection and Maintenance) supported by ICT Cluster and the Institute of Mechanics, Bulgarian Academy of Science organized an Information and Matchmaking Day for the RIMA Open Call. The event was held on October 4^th 2019 in Sofia Tech Park, Lab Complex.

The information day started with a keynote speech of Mr. Cvetan Kyulanov (acting) head of the European Commission Representation in Sofia, Bulgaria on behalf of Commissioner Maria Gabrial and opening speech of Mr. Peter Statev, chairman of ICT Cluster.

Mr. Peter Statev then gave the floor to two representatives of RIMA Network – Mr. Chirstophe Leroux, RIMA project coordinator, who get the participants familiar with the RIMA project and Ms. Anna Dymowska, Partner of RIMA project, who presented to them the RIMA Open call, the opportunities, the funding, who and how to apply.

The Event continues with presentations from the end-users about their challenges in Inspection and Maintenance of Infrastructures in their sector. Ms. Stilyana MLADENOVA presented the situation in NPP Kozloduy, the only operating Nucrear power plant in Bulgaria and the obstacles they meet with the inspection and detection of leaks. For the road and rail infrastructure presentations about the status of the sector made Mr. Todor Anastassov from the Transport research institute, Bulgaria, Dr. Panayotis Karagiannis from LMS at University of Patras in Greece and Eng. Borislava Dilkovska from the National Company Railway Infrastructure in Bulgaria.

With the end of the panel the microphone was given to the audience to ask questions to the presenters and it was formed a free discussion among participants, end-users’ representatives and representatives of RIMA about the challenges, opportunities that this open call gives and what robotic solutions may be used in the future.

The event was attended by more than 40 representatives of the utility sector, policy makers and solution providers where they had the opportunity to discus and find ways for development of the sector and the need of robotics. RIMA supports financially and technically 50 cross-border experiments involving European Small and Medium-sized enterprises through 2 Open Call rounds (2019 / 2020) with a total amount of 8.1M€. Successful candidates will receive equity-free funding for Technology transfer and development in I&M robotic applications.

If you are interested to apply to RIMA call please forllow the link: https://rima-network.fundingbox.com/

Full video form the event you can see at our Facebook page: RIMA Info day - Live stream 

All presentations from the event you can find here: Presentations

If you need more information and have questions about the event and the speakers please contact Ms. Krasimira Shindarova (krasimira_shindarova (at) ictcluster (dot) bg)