Time is money: Karlsruhe research factory aims to bring product ideas to market quickly
The time between the initial idea for the development of a new product and its market launch is playing an increasingly important role in the globalized economy. This period is also known as “time to market”, and if you want to survive in global competition, you have to keep it as short as possible. The research factory for AI-integrated production in Karlsruhe has set itself precisely this goal . Development and production are already working hand in hand there at a very early stage. On March 28, the competence center on the East Campus of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) will officially go into operation. KIT ‘s partners are the two Karlsruhe Fraunhofer Institutes for Chemical Technology (ICT) and for Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation (IOSB).
Three halls with data centers and workbenches
The three factory halls house a data center for controlling digital processes as well as production facilities with workbenches and special machines. Construction took three years and a good 20 million euros were invested in the flagship project with almost 5,000 square meters of floor space.
The special feature of the research factory is its interdisciplinary approach. The team includes process and chemical engineers from Fraunhofer ICT as well as mechanical engineers from the wbk Institute for Production Technology at KIT and computer scientists from Fraunhofer IOSB. The focus is on lightweight construction for the automotive industry, Industry 4.0 and the development of batteries for electric cars – three absolute trend topics in the planned development of a sustainable and climate-neutral business location. Other success factors of the research factory are the close proximity of the three research institutes in the east of Karlsruhe and the high level of expertise of the Karlsruhe TechnologyRegion in the IT sector and in the development of digital applications.
Close cooperation with the industry
The necessary connection between scientists and practice is ensured through close cooperation with companies such as Schaeffler and Siemens. The use of artificial intelligence in industrial production should also provide a competitive advantage. The vision: machines develop independently using modern sensor technology and innovative algorithms and work largely autonomously. Through the digitalization of production technology, the pioneering role of the German economy in high technology can be secured and even expanded in the future.
Blueprint for cooperation between science and industry
“The Karlsruhe Research Factory is a blueprint for the joint success of science and industry,” emphasizes KIT President Prof. Dr. Holger Hanselka. Within KIT, interdisciplinary research has already been intensively promoted in recent years through the regular exchange of experts from different disciplines. Through even closer integration with industry , the path of innovative technologies from the ivory towers of science to the people is now to be shortened.
“By joining forces between research and industry, it will be possible to accelerate the transfer of innovative products and thus secure Germany’s position in the future-oriented technology field of intelligent production,” emphasizes Prof. Dr. Reimund Neugebauer, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. If succeeds in this, the prosperity of the population can continue to be secured .