This is what it's all about:
The A³ economic region has great potential in application-oriented cutting-edge research – both within and outside universities.
From double-entry bookkeeping to the development of the diesel engine and the first stratospheric flight, groundbreaking innovations have their origins in A3. And the future looks promising. This centre of knowledge is conducting application-oriented, cutting-edge research into future technologies related to Industry 4.0. Thanks to excellent science and top-class research facilities, the future of technology can be launched here.
Cutting-edge university research on site
Augsburg has been a university city since 1970. The following year, the University of Applied Sciences Augsburg was founded. Both universities have been conducting application-oriented cutting-edge research for 50 years. For example, at the Institute for Software & Systems Engineering (ISSE) at the University of Augsburg. Here, computer scientists are researching software-driven robotics and automation, a central topic at the A3 production site.
When it comes to progress in the field of AI, Augsburg's universities are also at the forefront. Prof. Dr. Elisabeth André conducts research at the Chair of Multimodal Human-Technology Interaction at the University of Augsburg. She is considered an internationally leading researcher in the field of human-machine interaction. Both the University of Augsburg and Augsburg University of Applied Sciences have recently established new professorships in the field of AI. These complement the new research expertise of the Faculty of Medicine in the field of medical informatics.
Augsburg physicists have also been conducting cutting-edge research for decades. One example that recently made the headlines: after many years of research, Augsburg scientist Dr Matthias Schreck achieved a breakthrough. In just a few days, he grew the world's largest diamond – with a diameter the size of a beer mat.
How A³ is making the future better:
This is where the basis for future technologies related to Industry 4.0 is being developed: in lightweight construction, new materials, robotics, artificial intelligence and resource efficiency.
Research with direct practical application
With the establishment of the Augsburg Innovation Park, applied research institutions have settled in the immediate vicinity of the university campus. These include two Fraunhofer groups and two locations of the German Aerospace Centre (DLR). One focus here is research into greater resource efficiency. The newly built Institute for Material Resource Management (MRM) conducts research into the economical use of resources and develops innovative strategies for the efficient use of materials. This has also led to the creation of the Green Factory, another institute where the resource-efficient production of tomorrow is being further developed.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Casting, Composite and Processing Technology (IGCV) brings together three different scientific fields that conduct interdisciplinary research into production technology. Under practical conditions, efficient engineering and intelligent multi-material solutions for German industry are researched here. The institute works closely with large and medium-sized companies as well as craft businesses. The DLR Centre for Lightweight Production Technology (ZLP), which has been based here for more than 10 years, focuses on digitising and automating the production of lightweight structures for modern aviation. This is achieved not least thanks to its impressive large-scale research facility: the Multifunctional Robot Cell (MFZ) enables the automated production and quality assurance of fibre-reinforced large components on an industrial scale. Another DLR institute is also based at the Augsburg Innovation Park: the Institute for Test and Simulation of Gas Turbines is engaged in the development of new engine technologies.
Special feature for companies:
Thanks to the large number of top research partners in the region, companies here can launch themselves into the technological future.
Exchange between research and industry
The Augsburg economic region has numerous experts who deal with important future issues relating to Industry 4.0. To ensure that this knowledge can bear fruit in practice, the institutions work closely with companies in the A3 region. Numerous networks, clusters and associations involve companies in the latest developments and research findings. This interaction between science and industry is fertile ground for innovation in the A3 region. Bring on the future!
picture gallery – Cutting-edge research in A³
Three tips to follow:
- Collaborate with research partners
- Utilise the community at Augsburg Innovation Park
- Visit the Technology Transfer Congress in Augsburg
Further links
Augsburg Innovation Park website
TEA.Network of Transfer Institutions Augsburg Website (German)
Augsburg Technology Transfer Congress website (German)