Partners

The Institut für Automation und Kommunikation e.V. Magdeburg (ifak) is an independent research institute. The institute carries out applied research in the fields of process control and automation technology, industrial communication, measurement and sensor technology, information management for automation and environmental systems, mechatronics and traffic and transport telematics. In around 70 projects annually, ranging from feasibility studies to complex development projects, ifak is a partner to industry and the local authority. In keeping with the non-profit making character of the institute, ifak is especially involved in precompetitive co-operative projects for which research funding can be obtained at European, federal and state level as well as from business organisations. The institute's national and international network of co-operation is complemented by its active participation in diverse expertise committees. Recognition as an associated institute of the Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg stresses the scientific character of ifak. Nearly 80% of the more than 60 full-time staff of the interdisciplinary ifak team are scientists.

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft maintains more than 80 research units in Germany, including 59 Fraunhofer Institutes. The majority of the 17,000 staff are qualified scientists and engineers, who work with an annual research budget of € 1.6 billion. Of this sum, more than €1.3 billion is generated through contract research. Two thirds of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft’s contract research revenue is derived from contracts with industry and from publicly financed research projects. The IML, founded in 1981, currently employs a staff of more than 190 scientists and technicians as well as 250 post-graduates and students. Made-to-measure arranged teams create cross-industry and customer-specific solutions in the area of material handling, warehouse management, simulation supported business and system planning and also traffic systems, closed loop economy and resources logistics. The three directors of the institute also hold chairs at the Technical University Dortmund in the faculty of mechanical engineering.

The Silesian University of Technology (SUT) is one of the biggest universities of technology in Poland. Till now the SUT has carried out numerous projects within different European Programmes. The Faculty of Transport employs 16 professors and associate professors as well as 52 PhDs. Every year the Faculty employees carry out approximately 90 scientific projects. The Faculty conducts scientific research in the following areas: transport nets optimization, transport logistics, simulation tests in transport, alternative fuels usage, vibroacoustic diagnosis of machines and vehicles, dynamics of vehicles’ suspensions, telematics and transport safety.