Breaking down Silos with STEM

Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) provide the building blocks of the connected technologies that are shaping our homes, workplaces, lives and above all, our future. In the first of a series of blogs which look at each of the letters that make up STEM, we spell out why this special word sits at the heart of everything we do.

Smart technology. From connected solutions that allow you to remotely control your home, through to intelligent vehicles and automated agriculture, smart technology is delivering undisputed benefits across many areas. However, it is not technology for technology’s sake – it’s about people, too. The democratisation of data, enabled by smart devices, is giving people the chance to make better-informed decisions when it comes to running their lives. Smart Technology is helping us build a society that is better equipped to deal with major socio-economic challenges such as population growth and urbanisation.

Sustainability. With the number of connected devices expected to hit 35.8 billion in 2021 and more than double to 75.4 billion by 2025, we are heading towards an era of unprecedented data volumes. A key area where smart technologies can deliver quick benefits is increasing sustainability. From monitoring home appliances’ energy consumption to optimising the efficiency of public transport, access to real-time information delivered by connected devices and platforms enables smarter planning and faster action, therefore cutting costs and conserving resources. At Bosch, this has been at the core of our innovation since the very beginning, as reflected in our promise Invented for life.

Social responsibility. The future is connected, but shaping it takes more than just technology. Social responsibility in the form of educating the younger generation and bridging the gap between education and employment, as well as providing equal opportunities, fair working conditions and worldwide standards in occupational health and safety, allows us to be equipped for a smart future. That’s why we invest heavily in research and development projects that have a positive impact on society at large, such as MOVE UK, and we run a wide range of outreach programmes aimed at educating and inspiring the next generations of engineers, such as the Smart Future Challenge.

Stiftung. At Bosch, the roots of social responsibility run deep, all the way back to our founder Robert Bosch. He wanted to ensure that the company would continue his legacy of improving the moral, physical and intellectual development of the people, improving lives not only through technology, but also through more wide-reaching charitable activity. The Robert Bosch Stiftung is living proof of that; where 92 percent of the company’s shares are held. The Stiftung is a charitable foundation dedicated to supporting and advancing education, society, health, international relations, science and research. These are the values that we as associates hold dear.

Success. Our heritage, with over a hundred years of experience creating smart solutions, gives us an unrivalled perspective on technology and its role in the modern society. Our values guide our approach to new challenges. The introduction – and integration – of smart technologies is an evolution, not a revolution, but at Bosch we already have great headway on the journey, underpinning our long-term success that all begins with STEM.