Innovation Day Mainfranken
The robots are coming!
Everything revolved around robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) at the annual Innovation Day of the Main-Franconian universities
On 19 October 2023, the Julius-Maximilians-Universität, together with the Technische Hochschule Würzburg-Schweinfurt, the IHK Würzburg-Schweinfurt and Region Mainfranken GmbH, welcomed around 100 participants to the AI and Robotics Competence Centre (CERI) in Schweinfurt. In addition to exciting insights into real projects, best practices and start-up pitches, visitors had the opportunity to network with key players from start-up and research centres at the marketplace.
The aim of the event is to support the Main-Franconian economy in the development of innovative new products and business processes. The two universities present a wide range of application-oriented cutting-edge research and encourage cooperation.
The morning began with exciting insights into ongoing research collaborations in the fields of intelligent production and automation - many companies have already set out to implement digital solutions. The debate focused on how intelligent robots can support people in the world of work and thus relieve the shortage of skilled labour: for example, a social robot was used at reception in a doctor's surgery. Possible areas of application must be critically examined, however, as a robot cannot replace the social function of a human being. Legal issues are still unresolved and the legal framework is often inconsistent. The programme was rounded off in the afternoon with live demonstrators and laboratory tours, and visitors were able to experience a diverse exhibition ranging from AR glasses to functional robots. There was also a lively exchange on the marketplace. Numerous start-ups and key players from the region presented their offerings here. The entrepreneurs and scientists made ample use of the opportunity to engage in dialogue.
The Innovation Day takes place annually in autumn.
