Industry 4.0, the convergence of information and automation technology to produce smart manufacturing, is being heralded as the fourth industrial revolution. And like the previous three revolutions of steam, electricity and information, Industry 4.0 is transforming the industrial landscape and the way we live.

To further expand the two companies' business in the Chinese and global Industry 4.0 market, high-performance, mixed-signal semiconductor solutions provider NXP Semiconductors announced on March 19 it had entered a strategic partnership with leading global ICT solutions provider Huawei.

"By deeply collaborating with Huawei, we will be able to offer industry-leading Industry 4.0 networking solutions and create sustainable value for customers," said Zheng Li, NXP's senior vice-president and China CEO.

The partnership will focus on Industry 4.0 applications, such as factory automation, logistics, wireless secure connections, and sensor networks.

And the two companies plan to develop a global leading Industry 4.0 networking solution for China, and potentially the world.

Zhang Shunmao, the president of Huawei Marketing and Solutions, said that the partnership will help both companies expand their Industry 4.0 business in the Chinese and global markets.

China plans to invest about 1.2 trillion euros ($1.32 trillion) over the next three years in modernizing and transforming the nation's industry, with the aim of making the transition from a big manufacturing country to a powerful manufacturing country that is an Industry 4.0 leader, according to information and analysis company Information Handling Services.

NXP is committed to its development in China, and it announced a new milestone for its China strategy of "Technology for Innovation, Collaboration for Partnership" on Wednesday with the unveiling of a strategic partnership, with China's leading commercial real estate developer, B.M. Holding Group and Digital China, to construct a large-scale smart business district in the center of Shanghai.

The strategic partnership illustrates that NXP wireless networking technology is being utilized in projects overseen by China's leading commercial estate developer. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte was present to witness the signing ceremony.

NXP will provide the latest in global secure Internet of Things technology for the complex, which will cover 1 square kilometer in the Zhabei District on the north bank of the Suzhou Creek. The project is scheduled to complete in 2017.

B.M. Holding Executive Director and President Sun Yongjian said, "NXP's secure connectivity wireless Internet of Things solutions support the achievement of our smart commercial developments. This high-quality commercial district will become a landmark complex within the center of Shanghai, providing investment value to the business community and driving local economic development."

"With this major smart city project, we will gain the support of NXP's world-leading Internet of Things solutions," said Li Fangping, Digital China vice-president of engineering.

The district will use Near Field Communication, smart furniture, community illumination, resource control, safety monitoring, and numerous other cutting-edge technologies.

These technologies will be used in every office, hotel, apartment block, shopping mall, and residential property within the area, creating a "smart life, securely connected" Internet of Things experience, the company said.

NXP Senior Vice-President and NXP China CEO Zheng Li said, "As a global leader in promoting secure connectivity, NXP is committed to the long-term development of the Internet of Things and smart city solutions, and have helped foster a mature Internet of Things ecosystem value chain."

"NXP (starting as Philips Semiconductors) have been in the China market for thirty years and yet this strategic cooperation with Chinese partners represents a new breakthrough. Through securely connected smart city solutions, we are aiding the development process of China's Internet of Things," Li said.

NXP has operations in more than 25 countries, and posted revenue of $5.65 billion in 2014.

zhuanti@chinadaily.com.cn