Skolkovo signs R&D agreement with Panasonic, bolsters ties with Asia

Panasonic is set to open next year an R&D center in Skolkovo, the international tech hub under completion on the outskirts of Moscow.

The agreement, signed in the presence of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Shigeo Suzuki, CEO of Panasonic Russia, commits the Japanese firm to deploying at least 30 workers from its Russian representative office at the R&D center by 2017.

This operation will cost the company around 160 million rubles (approximately $3 million at the current exchange rate).

The center will focus its research on coming up with energy efficiency solutions for the Russian technology and energy sectors. Panasonic’s priority R&D areas are alternative energy sources, in particular solar panels, electricity storage systems and fuel cells.

The center will also work on unique technologies developed by the company itself, such as robotic Blu-Ray libraries and echo-vizualisation systems, which are in need of fine-tuning in preparation for the Russian market.

In addition, Panasonic will provide Skolkovo’s resident companies with R&D support, including training and acceleration programs, and organize running competitions.

In September, Skolkovo resident EnSol announced it had entered a cooperation agreement with Panasonic to produce a new type of energy-saving battery for forklift trucks. EnSol manufactures lithium-ion batteries like those present in smartphones, a technology that, when adapted for warehouse vehicles, would allow the trucks to power up in 90 minutes rather than overnight.

Bolstering ties with Asia

Skolkovo began developing relations with Asian countries several years ago. Vekselberg visited Japan in 2012, seeking partnership with big Japanese corporations.

While inking an agreement with Korea’s Samsung two years ago, Skolkovo President Viktor Vekselberg praised “the oriental mentality”, which he believes is “favorable to making decisions based on a longer assessment and precise analysis.” In contrast, “the traditional Western-American mentality is known as aggressive and adventurist with fast decision making,” he stated.

Last week Skolkovo signed an agreement with India to ramp up cooperation. High tech was one of the topics overseen by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a trip to New Delhi.

Skolkovo’s two-dozen world-leading partners also include Boeing, Cisco Systems, EADS, GE, Johnson & Johnson, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Siemens, Nokia and Samsung. Panasonic is Skolkovo’s 45th partner overall – and the first Japanese one.

Combined reports from the Skolkovo Foundation, Rusbase and East-West Digital News.