The Lake Constance Innovation Centre (BZI – Bodenseezentrum Innovation) is the transfer network of the HTWG Konstanz University of Applied Sciences, which promotes cooperation and innovation in the four-country region of Lake Constance in the sense of a recursive transfer between science and practice. The BZI focuses on cross-border networking on topics relating to digital transformation. Economic, scientific, institutional and administrative disciplines from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein are brought together with the aim of strengthening synergies, bringing research and cooperation partners together and initiating transfer projects. The BZI’s service portfolio will be presented at the all about automation trade fair and two BZI research collaborations related to building and production automation will present relevant research and development results in the Talk Lounge and at the trade fair stand.
The IoT Sustainability Lab covers the topic of sustainable building automation. The Lab is an international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral research cooperation in the Lake Constance region, funded by the EU (Interreg VI “Alpenrhein-Bodensee-Hochrhein”) and the Swiss Confederation, which is managed at the HTWG Konstanz University of Applied Sciences under the umbrella of the BZI. The Lab brings together 7 partner institutions from science and 3 funded and 14 associated partner institutions from practice. The Lab’s research, development and dissemination activities are aimed at promoting sustainable digitalisation in the Lake Constance region. Internet-of-Things systems (in buildings) are to become more sustainable and the Lake Constance region more sustainable through IoT systems. Specific research questions based on interdisciplinary research approaches from engineering and social sciences are addressed in specialist publications on the research focus ‘effects of the Internet of Things on sustainability using the building sector as an application example’. Case studies will be developed with partner organisations from the field as examples of best practice. Practical tools for the building sector such as a software for the sustainability assessment of IoT systems, a toolkit for designing sustainable IoT systems and business models as well as services for IoT systems are being developed. In addition, studies on the potential and acceptance of sustainable IoT systems in buildings are being created to help with the systematic, target group-orientated dissemination of results. At the all about automation trade fair, researchers from the Lab will take part in a panel discussion on the interplay between building and production automation and will present their software tool for the sustainability assessment of IoT systems in different types of buildings at the trade fair stand. Lab members from the HTWG Konstanz University of Applied Sciences and the OST – Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences are contributing to the trade fair.
The host institution of the Lake Constance Innovation Centre (BZI – Bodenseezentrum Innovation) and the lead university of the IoT Susatainability Lab HTWG – Hochschule Konstanz Technik, Wirtschaft und Gestaltung is a modern university with an application-oriented profile. It offers a broad range of subjects and benefits from interdisciplinarity and the combination of theory and practice. In research and development, technology transfer and further education, the university is a partner for innovation-orientated companies and creative people who are willing to perform. It is an essential part of the international science and business region of Lake Constance. The core objective is to open up career and life opportunities for committed talents with different educational backgrounds. It is important to advise students personally, support them individually and open up opportunities abroad. In this way, the HTWG aims to contribute to the sustainable development of society. The HTWG Konstanz has expressly committed itself to continuously supporting the compatibility of family and studies or career with suitable measures. As a family-friendly university, the HTWG Konstanz thus offers an additional attraction for all university groups.
The partner university of the IoT Sustainability Lab OST – Ostschweizer Fachhochschule is a dynamic, innovative university that strengthens Eastern Switzerland with forward-looking impulses and makes a significant contribution to the economic and social development of the region. OST is the university of applied sciences for the six cantons of Eastern Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. With around 3,800 students, 1,500 specialists undergoing further training and over 1,000 current research projects, it forms the educational hub of the region.
The European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) Southwest supports small and medium-sized companies and public institutions in their digital transformation, also in the area of production automation. It is co-financed by the ‘Digital Europe’ programme of the European Union (project number 101083741), the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism together with the Ministry of the Interior, Digitisation and Local Authorities of the state of Baden-Württemberg as well as other national funding. The BZI is part of the EDIH Southwest consortium, which consists of 12 strong partner institutions that contribute extensive expertise in the fields of smart sensor systems, cyber-physical systems, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, Virtual Reality (VR) and High-Performance Computing (HPC). EDIH Southwest specialises in smart sensor systems with edge AI and the resilience of companies and their supply chains. The aim of EDIH Southwest is to support small and medium-sized enterprises, start-ups and public administrations in the south-west of Baden-Württemberg in particular under the motto FUTURE. NOW. DIGITAL. to serve as a central point of contact for digitalisation and to support them in mastering the digital challenges with confidence and remaining competitive. The service portfolio of EDIH Südwest also includes a free Digi-Check, a comprehensive analysis of how well the assessed company/public organisation is positioned for the digital future and which potential is still untapped. As part of this, an (inter)national industry comparison is carried out, which helps to set realistic and achievable goals for the digital transformation. Building on this, the partially subsidised ‘test-before-invest’ can be used to test technologies for individual needs before investing in the corresponding solution. EDIH Southwest’s service portfolio includes consultations, mentoring and coaching, feasibility studies, workshops and training courses. At the all about automation trade fair, experts from EDIH Southwest will be taking part in a panel discussion on the interaction between building and production automation, will give a specialist presentation on building bridges between the shop floor and the IT world, and they will be demonstrating their Sensor Technology Adapter Gateway (STAG) and track and trace devices at the trade fair stand. Members of the EDIH Südwest from the Hahn-Schickard Gesellschaft für Angewandte Forschung e.V., the Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Technology and Furtwangen University are contributing to the trade fair.
The lead organisation of EDIH Südwest Hahn-Schickard develops intelligent products with microsystems technology for partner organisations: from the initial idea to production. In close cooperation with industry, Hahn-Schickard realises innovative products and technologies in the fields of sensors and actuators, system integration, cyber-physical systems, communication technology, software development, lab-on-a-chip and analytics, microelectronics, assembly and connection technology, micro-assembly, information technology, medical technology and reliability. The range of services also includes the production of small and medium-sized series as well as the transition to large-scale production.
The partner organisation of EDIH Südwest Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPM develops customised measurement technology and systems for industry. Many years of experience with optical technologies form the basis for high-tech solutions in production control, object and mould detection, gas and process technology as well as in the field of photonic systems.
The partner university of EDIH Südwest HFU – Furtwangen University is a leading university in Germany and is characterised by top positions in the following areas:
– High quality and innovation in teaching
– Practical relevance through co-operation with industry
– International co-operation
– Applied research
– Continuing education and lifelong learning
– Qualification and motivation
– Social responsibility and securing the future
Furtwangen University’s core business is scientifically based, practice-orientated education and training. Interdisciplinary work transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. HFU is a leader in the fields of engineering, computer science, business informatics, industrial engineering, media, international business and health. The university is constantly adapting its range of programmes to future-oriented developments. The aim is to lead talented young people to qualified, state-recognised degrees in future-oriented courses of study that open up above-average career opportunities for them. At the same time, HFU wants to promote their development into responsible, confident personalities who develop and represent solutions to problems independently. In addition, HFU contributes to innovation and qualification in business and society through application-orientated research and academic further education, as well as promoting young academics.
