Since its establishment, Plattform Industrie 4.0 has developed into one of the world’s largest networks for the digitalisation of industry. The platform has entered a large number of partnerships with national and international alliances. An 4IR transfer network has been set up at national level to support SMEs. Through cooperation at international level, Plattform Industrie 4.0 uses its globally unique pool of technical and specialist expertise to address transnational issues in the fields of standardisation, IT security and legal frameworks. It also initiates and leads discussion on the digital transformation in industry. The platform coordinates these activities, networks stakeholders, and makes it possible to include many perspectives of very different interests. 

Germany’s technological leadership in industrial production research and development are ideal conditions to be a global leader in innovative, internet-based production technology and service provision. Technological leadership and vision in the fields of manufacturing, automation, and software-based embedded systems, as well as historically strong industrial networks, lay the cornerstone for the long-term success of any given 4IR project. Joint efforts are the path to realize the opportunities for profitable growth in digital economy and to remain successful dealing with changing competitive dynamics. Government policy encourages companies to invest in new technologies to ensure they remain competitive in the future.

Being one of the few countries from which a thriving, market-driven launch sector has emerged, New Zealand is benefiting from a unique space economy which was established by commercial activity (‘New Space’) rather than a slow transition from large institutions. Its space economy is New Space driven and characterised by a mix of start-up to well-established, small to large, entrepreneur-driven, and privately funded space companies which service both government and non-government customers.