News
26/04/2023
14 projects, six halls, countless engaging conversations - retrospective of an exciting Hannover Messe 2023
How can quantum computing support the manufacturing industry? How can data be used to make the carbon footprint transparent? And how can the transfer of digital innovations into the economy succeed better in the future? At Hannover Messe International 2023 (HMI), a wide range of topics were discussed, for instance how quantum computing can support the manufacturing industry and how data can be used to make the carbon footprint transparent.
A total of 14 projects from the "Development of Digital Technologies" funding programme of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) exhibited their results at this year's Hannover Messe. The focus of the trade fair presentations was on the topics of artificial intelligence, 5G campus networks and digital production. In addition, the funded projects' expertise was in high demand on numerous stages in the form of panels, discussions and lectures.
We look back at selected highlights:
1. 5G pioneer Germany - challenges and opportunities for the economy’s digital transformation
At the panel discussion "The 5G Private Network Ecosystem: Status and Growth Opportunities", representatives of the BMWK and other high-profile experts discussed the status quo and opportunities for 5G campus networks. Although the private 5G network market is still in its early stages, the panelists saw the need for innovation in this area as a given. Practical solutions and applications for 5G campus networks, for example in production halls, on large construction sites or clinics, are crucial to ensure digital sovereignty and data security - and are therefore a particular focus of the innovation projects funded by the BMWK.
The panel discussion was met with great interest among the visitors to the HMI.
© DLR-PT
2. GAIA-X use cases enabling sovereign and secure data usage
The German-Austrian GAIA-X lead project EuProGigant, with a total of 16 partners from both countries, has set itself the task of establishing a cross-location, digitally networked production ecosystem. At the Austrian stand, visitors were able to find out about the latest developments in the "production internet of the future" and get a direct insight into practical implementation possibilities with demonstrators. Since the last HMI, the project has developed from a trade fair newcomer to an experienced public favourite. The large number of visitors has shown that there is an urgent need for solutions for the industry and especially SMEs in the field of intelligent data. At this year's HMI, project leader Prof. Friedrich Bleicher from the Vienna University of Technology presented a validation platform that also measures the CO2 footprint. One of the project's four use cases focuses on green manufacturing. Prof. Bleicher's declared goal was to implement a GAIA-X architecture for production and to demonstrate it in a striking way at the HMI - prototypically, but under real conditions.
In the demonstrator, a new component is compared with one that is already in heavy use.
© DLR-PT
Great interest in EuProGigant and the team around Prof. Bleicher (on the right in the picture).
© DLR-PT
3. Many projects, one question: How can projects be turned into successful business cases?
Numerous projects from the BMWK's "Development of Digital Technologies" funding programme were able to present innovative solutions at the HMI. There was great interest in the results - from an operating system for the production of the future at FabOS to an AI ecosystem for intelligent industrial production at IIP Ecosphere to quantum computing applications for the manufacturing industry.
Decisive for the final success of a project, however, is its usability and transfer to industry - a strategic goal that is reflected in the structure of the BMWK's technology programmes: Future topics from the field of digitisation are taken up at an early stage so that scientific results can be transferred promptly and efficiently into market-oriented cutting-edge technologies with high application potential. In this way, new technologies and applications can be put to broad economic use, especially by small and medium-sized enterprises.
To achieve this goal, direct exchange with users from industry and SMEs is needed. The trade fair was an ideal platform for this: the representatives of the funded projects reported on numerous discussions with potential industry partners - be they equipment suppliers, integrators or interesting contacts from research. Talks with investors for the continuation and further development of project results were also at the forefront for many projects.
Overall, Hannover Messe International 2023 was once again a successful event for the committed projects. The event was a great success, as it not only facilitated discussions on exciting results and future developments, but also helped forge new industry connections to accelerate the transfer of these innovations.
Dr. Holger Eichelberger from the University of Hildesheim illustrates the developments in the IIP Ecosphere project.
© DLR-PT
Mo Alkfari (left) from DFKI and Daniel Zeuch from Forschungszentrum Jülich explain the advantages of quantum computing applications at the QUASIM project booth.
© DLR-PT
