How can we ensure a constant and smooth material flow in complex intralogistics area of production and logistic centers? Stepwise autonomisation of all material handling processes in intra-logistic areas of production and logistics centers with the help of mobile and stationary material handling systems.

How can we make the autonomous factory a safe, collaborative place? In most cases, an autonomous factory will not be completely free of human staff and/or visitors. For protecting them, the risk of accidents must be mitigated by appropriate safety concepts.

How can we reduce effort in finding optimum control parameters for an industrial plant? Developing the programming paradigm for PLCs and automation to self-tuning and self-adaption so that industrial users need less effort to continuously find optimum control parameters for the various operation conditions of an industrial plant.

How can we increase flexibility in a highly variable production environment? Overall joint optimization of production and logistic processes (both planning and execution control), with interfaces to ERP system and PLM tool (product definition data), transport systems and supply chain management tools.

How can we make AI applicable for the industry? At what point can an AI-based system be titled industrial grade? As soon as it meets the non-functional requirements (NFRs) of the specific industrial environment in which it should be utilized in. We mature and facilitate the use of Artificial Intelligence to a degree that production solutions can rely on Artificial Intelligence for the benefit of productivity gains.

How could future concepts of interfaces and usage of data look like? The Digital Thread connects Digital Twins and Data along the product life cycle. It makes the Toolchain work as an integrated solution for the customer.

How can we reduce engineering efforts to zero? We are on a mission to reduce the engineering effort (to zero) with concepts for self-learning and autonomous machines and processes.

How can we make complex AI applications and algorithms usable for non- AI experts? We make AI and Autonomy Algorithms as well as software building blocks accessible for usage in industrial applications. This is made possible thanks to the design of advanced HMIs that support humans in their decision-making based on all available data.

How can we make complex AI applications and algorithms usable for non- AI experts? We make AI and Autonomy Algorithms as well as software building blocks accessible for usage in industrial applications. This is made possible thanks to the design of advanced HMIs that support humans in their decision-making based on all available data.

How can we make processes more flexible with modular concepts? Making production (and intra-logistic) processes and lines / machines more flexible by parametrization and modularization, connecting machines via plug & produce, describing and orchestrating them via so-called “skills”.

How can we make AI applicable for the industry? At what point can an AI-based system be titled industrial grade? As soon as it meets the non-functional requirements (NFRs) of the specific industrial environment in which it should be utilized in. We mature and facilitate the use of Artificial Intelligence to a degree that production solutions can rely on Artificial Intelligence for the benefit of productivity gains.

How can machines exchange data and communicate transparently? Concepts for the usage of suitable communication hardware and protocols are forming the common basis for the relevant data exchange.

How can we ensure an efficient interplay of the OT and IT world? The collection, transport and processing of data of machines and processes with edge devices and IIoT solutions are forming one of the foundations for our autonomous factory.

How can toolings support quick integration and usage from design to operation? Modular software components to run all necessary (control) functionality of the autonomous factory in the shopfloor on extensible (virtual) hardware.