Focus projects

The use of AI enables the processing of large amounts of data and can help to optimise complex procedures and decision-making processes in healthcare. However, there is often uncertainty as to what AI can be used for in healthcare, what risks and potentials exist and how the quality and transparency of AI applications can be ensured.

A key element of the quality promise made by many manufacturers is the long service life of the appliances they produce. This includes guaranteeing the availability of spare parts so that repairs and maintenance can be carried out over the long term - even if the appliance is no longer in production. The challenge here lies in the forecast that needs to be made at the end of the regular production run in order to pre-produce and stock the corresponding quantities. The previous manual processes are very time-consuming and harbour many uncertainties. BSH Hausgeräte GmbH has therefore commissioned the Supply Chain Services working group to find a data-driven solution that can provide automated and reliable support for the decision.

In the »KITE - Artificial Intelligence in Transport to Reduce Emissions« project, researchers from the Supply Chain Services working group at Fraunhofer IIS developed a new AI-based route planning process to reduce empty runs and make transport logistics more sustainable.

Sidings are the sources and sinks in the rail network and are therefore essential for the climate-friendly expansion of rail freight transport. Every company that relocates to a siding makes a significant contribution to increasing the share of rail freight transport. Companies that want to shift their freight transport to rail in the long term are faced with the question when looking for a location: At which locations in Germany is a connection to the rail freight network possible?

Age-related hearing loss affects about one in five adults, half of whom are of working age. The journey from the onset of hearing loss to the eventual decision to use hearing aids and the subsequent adjustment to daily life is often a long one and different for each person. Therefore, the project aims to better understand this path with the help of a study in which hearing impaired people can participate. The results will be used to derive targeted measures to improve the hearing experience for those affected.

Within the EU, nearly half a million people die of sudden cardiac death every year. The widespread distribution, easy location and public accessibility of defibrillators can help to significantly increase the chances of survival in these cases. Against this background, the »HerzKISO« research project is developing a novel, area-transferable planning concept to ensure fair and widespread availability of defibrillators.

At the ADA Lovelace Center, research and industry join forces to take methods and procedures in the field of artificial intelligence beyond the boundaries of what is currently possible.

To achieve the climate goals of the Paris Agreement we must substantially eliminate fossil energy sources from our global economic system. For example, instead of using oil or gas for heating, mobility or electricity generation, a regenerative energy system needs to be established. However, there is a wide variety of applications that is difficult to be operated electrically because they consume too much energy, such as high-temperature processes in the manufacturing industry or heavy duty engines used in aviation, shipping or heavy goods transport. Even in the future most of these applications will rely on e-fuels.

The joint project »Velektronik« of the Fraunhofer Group for Microelectronics with numerous project partners pursues the goal to improve the sovereignty of German industry and the public sector via trustworthy electronics a significant step. Trustworthy electronics is the basis for successful products »Made in Germany« and helps to sustainably secure the innovation and competitiveness of German companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises.

Enjoyment and quality are essential characteristics for any food. The variety of flavours is achieved in production by mixing batches with a wide range of ingredients. On the manufacturer's side, the batches in stock must be prepared in advance for the mixing process as part of production planning. This is the only way to ensure the quality of the mixtures for the customer orders on the one hand and to use the stock sustainably on the other. In this context, Fraunhofer IIS is using mathematical optimisation methods to develop a batch selection in homogeneous mixing processes that enables more efficient and sustainable stock management.