Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics and Siemens launch research collaboration on the production of the future
March 25, 2025
Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics and Siemens launch research collaboration on the production of the future
Signing the cooperation agreement
From left to right: Dr. Mirjam Storim (Head of Technology & Innovation Management, Research & Innovation Ecosystem Siemens), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alin Albu-Schäffer (Head of the DLR Institute for Robotics and Mechatronics)
Research cooperation between the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics and Siemens
From left to right: Dr. Georg von Wichert (Head of Autonomous Systems and Control, Siemens), Dr. Mirjam Storim (Head of Technology & Innovation Management, Research & Innovation Ecosystem Siemens), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alin Albu-Schäffer (Head of the DLR Institute for Robotics and Mechatronics)
The Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and Siemens, a leading technology company focusing on the fields of industry, infrastructure, mobility and health, have launched a far-reaching research and development partnership to jointly develop innovative technologies for the production of the future. The agreement was recently signed at the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics in Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich. The collaboration aims to research pioneering solutions in the field of AI-based, intelligent production, with a focus on robot support and human-robot interaction. Another key topic of the collaboration is research into humanoid robotics.
"At a time when technological innovations are advancing ever faster, close collaboration between research and industry is essential. The research and development cooperation with Siemens AG, one of the largest companies in Germany, fits in with our objective of quickly transferring research results to innovative applications in industry," emphasises Professor Karsten Lemmer, Member of the DLR Executive Board for Innovation, Transfer and Scientific Infrastructures.
The Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics plays a key role in this. Here, scientists are developing technologies and methods that enable the flexible use of robotic systems in production and thus drive forward the digital transformation of robot-assisted production processes as part of Industry 4.0.
Robotics paired with artificial intelligence (AI) is already being used in numerous business areas at Siemens. "Technology plays a central role in the transformation towards digitalisation and greater sustainability, especially in automation. By combining technologies such as AI and Industrial Metaverse with robotics, companies can significantly increase their efficiency and productivity as well as open up new business models," explains Dr Norbert Gaus, Executive Vice President, Research and Predevelopment at Siemens Foundational Technologies. Siemens uses robots in production environments and highly automated manufacturing plants worldwide and is endeavouring to make these technologies more accessible to SMEs.
Prof. Alin Albu-Schäffer, Head of the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics, emphasises the importance of the cooperation: "This strategic partnership is another example of the transfer of robotics technologies from space to industrial applications. Close networking with leading German industrial partners such as Siemens is essential to ensure the competitiveness of European robotics in the future, given the rapid developments in the USA and China."
The cooperation between DLR and Siemens promises to drive forward the development of advanced robotics solutions and set new standards in the production of the future. By pooling their expertise and resources, both partners aim to develop innovative technologies that increase both efficiency and flexibility in production and thus make a significant contribution to Industry 4.0. Achieving these goals requires strategic Industry 4.0 approaches that create methodological and architectural foundations. These strategies help companies to identify the potential of Industry 4.0 and implement it in new applications in a beneficial way.
Contact
Innovation & Transfer
Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics
Institute Development and Executive Offices
Münchener Straße 20, 82234 Oberpfaffenhofen-Weßling
