Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most promising technologies of our time. It is a key technology for the competitiveness of Germany and Europe. Company processes and business models can be fundamentally changed and optimized by artificial intelligence and machine learning to enable sustainable and intelligent production.

Not only can employees be supported by AI in complex analyses, but processes can also be intelligently controlled. Data-driven process modeling can improve product quality and reduce scrap rates. Due to the digitalization of manufacturing and production processes, the amount of data collected is growing. This opens up a wide range of potentials, for example, in the field of automated modeling, online condition monitoring, anomaly detection, adaptive control systems, and simulation technology, etc. Human-robot collaboration and interaction (MRC, MRI) also play an important role in industrial production. Industrial robots are becoming smarter, more flexible, and safer through AI. In addition, efficiency and flexibility in production can be increased through AI-supported process optimization, predictive maintenance, and quality assurance (keyword »Industry 4.0«).

Even though some companies have already recognized the competitive importance of artificial intelligence, implementing it in their own businesses is not always easy. Small and medium-sized companies in particular often face major challenges. They often lack the appropriate data basis, qualified specialists, or sufficient trust in the new methods. Especially concerning data sovereignty or the safeguarding and certification of AI systems, skepticism often still prevails. At Fraunhofer IGCV, we see ourselves as mediators of these new technologies and would like to shape the transfer of the latest findings from research to industry together with you.

The potential applications of AI in manufacturing companies range from process and logistics data analysis, quality assurance, and machine control to completely new digital, data-based business models. To make the potentials of AI-supported production usable for our partners, we focus on the concrete applicability of AI solutions in the company. Various projects at Fraunhofer IGCV, for example, deal with the further development of products and processes.

Machine learning and AI methods enable direct benefits here: For example, the use of storage space and thus storage costs can be kept as low as possible by an AI controlling in advance which products logistics centers store and how many of them at what time. The placement of goods on shelves is optimized so that as little space as possible is required. Prices are adjusted flexibly as the expiration date of food products approaches.

Example project »REIF | Resource-Efficient, Economic and Intelligent Foodchain«:

• Reducing food waste with artificial intelligence
• The Fraunhofer project REIF is one of the winners of BMWi's AI innovation competition

We transfer key findings from science and research precisely to your individual challenges. In this way, we support you in analyzing and exploiting the potential of AI methods in your company.

• We help you transfer AI methods to your own production and logistics processes.
• We support you through joint data pre-processing in the targeted selection of suitable algorithms and artificial intelligence methods.
• Through intensive training and testing of models, we jointly test different use cases and qualify your employees.
• Employing detailed analysis and interpretation of the models and correlations, relevant process parameters and cause-effect relationships can be identified.
• The insights gained then make it possible to derive explanations and recommendations for adapting the processes - specifically in your company.