News and Stories
In this section we share news and stories about our research networks, their current projects and innovations as well as upcoming events of our 'The Future of Work' campaign.
FutureWork360: The making of a digital twin
The digital twin of the Future Work Lab in Stuttgart has proved to be a pioneering technological solution for digital cooperation and knowledge transfer.
Video: Why robots in elderly care deserve a second chance
Humanoid nursing care assistants will never be as good as human caregivers, but they can save caregivers a lot of time.
FutureWork360: Using digital twins for knowledge transfer – science fiction or a new field of application?
The current COVID-19 pandemic has clearly shown that our constantly changing world of work is far from being resistant to disruption. Article by guest blogger Yeama Bangali.
MEJOIN: How AI can support healthcare workers – and not only in a pandemic
Guest author Michael Hechtel, head of the Japanese-German Mechatronic Joint Initiative (MEJOIN) takes a closer look.
FutureWork360: International Open Lab Day
On 16 April 2021, the Fraunhofer Institutes IAO and IPA will hold their International Open Lab Day.
Video: How Biomimetic Design boosts 3D printing
Design engineers worldwide push themselves hard to get the most out of 3D printing technology. But, without the right experience and software, many fail.
Successful finale of the 2nd international PADERO hackathon
Around 30 international researchers and practitioners working in four teams participated in the second PADERO hackathon and ideas competition.
Future of Work campaign goes into extra time
Our campaign has been extended for another six months and we gladly invite you to virtually join us while we continue exploring fascinating topics.
TransAIR: 2021 Transatlantic Workshop 'Cognitive Architectures for Robot Agents'
As part of theTransAIR project, the University of Bremen will host a virtual workshop at the interface of artificial intelligence, cognitive science and neuroscience from 22 to 28 March 2021.
PADERO: Join the virtual care robots hackathon from 11-12 February 2021
From 11-12th February, the PADERO research network invites developers to join another German-Japanese hackathon to explore crucial questions of the development of care robots.
BRIDGE-US: AI that can detect diseases and steer cars
Professor Mahdi Bohlouli and his colleagues at the University of Siegen are developing and training algorithms that reliably evaluate big data quickly and in a meaningful way.
Virtual Trainings: How Biomimetic Design boosts 3D printing
In January, experts at the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Additive Production Technologies (IAPT) will offer 3 virtual training sessions on 'Biomimetic Design and Additive Manufacturing'. Sign up now!
beyondwork 2020 - European Conference on Labour Research
21-22 October 2020
Bonn, Germany
What does the transformation of work mean for people? How can companies best prepare their employees? Take part on site or online!
DIGIMARI: COVID-19 and its impact on research and business, part 3
How will international collaboration be transformed in the face of COVID-19? 'I do not believe that business activities and international collaboration will return to business as usual', says Prof. Nils Madeja, initiator of the DIGIMARI project.
MEJOIN: What is AI still lacking to be intelligent and trustworthy?
Given the various possible fields of application and strengths, you probably wonder why artificial intelligence is not spreading more quickly in business and our private life. This is a legitimate question and points to the major challenges and limitations which prevent AI from being adopted on a large scale.
DIGIMARI: COVID-19 and its impact on research and business, part 2
The COVID19-pandemic is disrupting the way we do research and business. Will it also be changing the future of our work? Yes, it will, says Nils Madeja, Professor for Digital Business at TH Mittelhessen University of Applied Sciences.
MEJOIN: Why it makes sense to use AI
by guest author Michael Hechtel (FAPS-FAU)
Have you ever wondered why we need artificial intelligence to perform all the activities we usually plan and carry out ourselves?
DIGIMARI: COVID-19 and its impact on research and business, part 1
The COVID19-pandemic is disrupting the way we do research and business. Will it also be changing the future of our work? Yes, it will, says Nils Madeja, Professor for Digital Business at TH Mittelhessen University of Applied Sciences.
How AI can open up new opportunities in private life
by guest author Michael Hechtel (FAPS-FAU)
AI influences more than just our work environment. We are also increasingly using intelligent robots or programs in the privacy of our homes.
How AI can help to overcome challenges in the workplace
by guest author Michael Hechtel (FAPS-FAU)
Both German and Japanese employees and business owners often ask us how artificial intelligence can benefit their companies and support work processes.
The benefits of AI in business and private life
The MEJOIN research network will publish a series of 4 short articles to provide you with information on the actual benefits of AI in today’s world and on possible ways of implementing AI in business.
Where to get the best AI for your business
Very few businesses know how to make the best use of artificial intelligence (AI) or where to get the best AI for their operations. The MEJOIN research network is helping small SMEs in Germany and Japan to meet future challenges and introduce AI that is tailored to their needs.
German robotics researchers provide free access to robot AI
Professor Michael Beetz, one of Germany's most renowned robotics researchers, and his team at Bremen University launched ‘openEASE‘, an open access knowledge database for robots. He invites fellow researchers to join him and add their robots' abilities to the free RobotWiki.
Interview: German Professor Michael Beetz on how he makes AI more responsible and democratic
Professor Michael Beetz, one of Germany's most renowned robotics researchers, and his team at Bremen University launched ‘openEASE‘, an open access knowledge database for robots.
New study: Neglect of care sector's needs prevented use of robots in nursing home
A German-Japanese idea-sharing and programming event at Waseda University, Tokyo indicates how robots like Pepper can help remedy nursing shortages in ageing societies.
Nursing shortages: How robots can provide a cure
Can robots like Pepper help remedy nursing shortages in ageing societies such as Japan and Germany? Scientists from the international robotics research network PADERO say: Yes, they can!
KIT Link recognized for stimulating scientific exchanges between Germany and the US
The ‘Future of Work’ member KIT LINK has been recognized for fostering scientific exchanges and collaborations between Germany and the US at the Consulate General of Germany in San Francisco, USA.
German researchers exhibiting at 4th AI Expo in Tokyo
20 researchers from 11 top-class German universities and research institutes will present their work around artificial intelligence, robotics and employment, and invite Japanese fellow researchers to discuss potential collaborations in the concepts of Industry 4.0 and Society 5.0.
Kitchen hacks for robots: German professor makes robots smarter and more independent
Is artificial intelligence already advanced enough to provide substantial help to people who really need it? Interview with Professor Michael Beetz, one of Germany's most renowned robotics researchers.
DIGIMARI: Interview with Professor Nils Madeja
Interview with Professor Nils Madeja from Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM) – University of Applied Sciences. Madeja represents the research network DIGIMARI, which invites Japanese partners to take part in collaborations in order to make joint progress in the digital transformation of SMEs.
DIGIMARI: Uncovering the data treasure troves
Digital transformation is challenging Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the field of mechanical and electrical engineering in Germany and Japan. DIGIMARI helps them to digitise their production.
AI made in Germany? What German researchers can learn from Silicon Valley
Guest blogger Yeama Bangali from the campaign’s project FutureWork360 sheds a light on Germany´s untapped potential in Artificial Intelligence and its treasure trove of data from factories with first-class automation capabilities.
US-German conference highlights the impact of digital technologies on the future of work
20 German researchers are back from Silicon Valley´s first German-American conference on the impact of new digital technologies on the future of work, business and society.
German researchers reach out to partners in Silicon Valley
From 27-29 October ten German research networks will participate in the congress “Transatlantic Sync” in Silicon Valley to meet up with US fellow researchers and discuss potential collaborations in this field.
FutureWork 360 – Setting up a virtual factory of the future
Dirty, dark, loud and smelly are the features that often come to people’s minds when thinking of industrial production. It doesn´t have to be that way, claims Dr Stephan Wilhelm.
IntWash – Laundries on the difficult path towards digitalisation
The IntWash network has launched a global initiative to tackle the digitalisation challenges of commercial laundries.
GRANITE – Risk-free digitalisation for German and Japanese SMEs
Moving to a digital business can be challenging for SMEs. Digitalisation doesn't have to be tough, and certainly is worth the effort, German expert Dr. René Reiners says.
GRANITE – Highlights of the first visit to Japan
SMEs in Germany and Japan alike lack individual strategies to master the digital transformation – yet these will be particularly important in ageing, highly industrialised societies.
