For the 150th anniversary of the automobile in 2036, the means of transportation should be as innovative and sustainable as it was at the time of its invention. To support this goal, the sensor and automation specialist has been a member of the initiative since November. The project initiators of Arena2036 (Active Research Environment for the Next Generation of Automotives) have a vision of a future-proof automobile that is created using state-of-the-art production processes. The key is provided by versatile forms of production in intelligent, function-integrated lightweight construction based on new materials. A new type of research environment - the largest research platform for mobility in Germany - pools the expertise of scientists and leading commercial enterprises in the Stuttgart region. At this research campus, they are working at full speed on solutions for the mobility of tomorrow. Balluff wants to support the work at the research campus centrally with its knowledge in the field of sensor technology and automation. "Generating, transporting and processing data is our domain," says Balluff CEO Florian Hermle. "In particular, these skills help to further develop production processes and simulate prototypes. In this way, we are making an important contribution to advancing research work."

Sensors as reliable data sources

The automation specialist Balluff will support the work of the research initiative with its expertise in the field of sensor technology and industrial automation.

The success of intelligent, digitalized and automated production is largely dependent on data handling. Only those who have detailed information about the entire production process can map and digitally control it. Sensors are reliable data sources and therefore indispensable in production. As an expert in this field, Balluff is a welcome new member of the cooperation. Hermle explains the company's motivation: "As pacemakers of Industry 4.0, our solutions help our customers to continuously develop their factories and production processes. This continuous progress cannot succeed without the corresponding research work. That's why we are committed to contributing our knowledge and employees to the Arena2036 cooperation network." The Neuhausen-based company will participate in federal research projects within the cooperation network and send employees to the research campus for this purpose. The sensor and automation specialist would also like to test new developments here at an early stage.

Insight into the current state of research

Arena2036 will offer a specialist event from February 22 to 23, 2018, at which the current state of research and the research results of recent years will be presented. The focus will be on the connection between the individual research topics and the vision of the initiative. kp