Projects

With large-scale research projects and initiatives with different orientations, Fraunhofer IML bundles numerous competencies in one place – and thus covers the entire innovation chain from basic research to the market launch of products. Our projects, centers and initiatives at a glance:

#together

According to current forecasts, the most successful business models in logistics will come from the platform economy over the next five years. Our understanding of the platform economy of the future is characterized by a diversity and coexistence of different logistics and industrial B2B platforms: the Silicon Economy. Logistics companies of all sizes will then have the opportunity to process their business activities fully automatically - from ordering to invoicing and transport.

 

Fact sheet

  • Development of silicon economy infrastructure and basic components
  • Development of a silicon economy platform (100% open source)

Dr. Michael Schmidt

Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics

Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Str. 2-4  
44227 Dortmund

+49 231 9743-285

michael.b.schmidt@iml.fraunhofer.de

#digitize

In the »Blockchain Europe« project to establish the European Blockchain Institute in North-Rhine Westphalia (NRW), we will be driving blockchain technology forwards together with companies and other research institutions. This sees a unique European institute being created to advance digitization in science and practice. The research at the European Blockchain Institute will complement the work of Dortmund’s scientists and continue the already existing research infrastructure of the innovation ecosystem here.

 

Fact sheet

  • Blockchain as a key technology to make data exchange tamper-proof and to automate and autonomize a large number of processes in the value chain  
  • Blockchains as transparent and decentralized registers for transactions

Maximilian Austerjost

Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics

Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Str. 2-4  
44227 Dortmund

+49 231 9743-331

maximilian.austerjost@iml.fraunhofer.de

Made ready for the #market

At Digital Hub Logistics in Dortmund, we accompany and advise you in your company’s digital transformation and the development of digital business. In a region that has already impressively demonstrated that structural change is possible, and in an environment that benefits from proximity to Germany’s best logistics research institutions. Pursue the further development of your digital ideas at Digital Hub Logistics – quickly and effectively! Because digital business is done where there is room for creativity and speed of action.

 

Fact sheet

  • Part of the dehub initiative of the BMWi and initiator of the Digital Logistics Award
  • The initiators of the Digital Hub Logistics are Fraunhofer IML and ISST, TU Dortmund, Efficiency Cluster LogistikRuhr and Duisburger Hafen AG

Maria Beck

Digital Hub Logistics

Emil-Figge-Straße 76
44227 Dortmund

+49 231 9743-614

maria.beck@digitalhub.eu

#Research transfer

At the Center of Excellence Logistics and IT, interdisciplinary research groups work on topics including »Human and Technology,« »Autonomous Logistics Systems,« »Machine Learning,« and »Sustainability.« The aim of the initiative is to transfer current research results into products and services for practical application. The Center of Excellence acts as a link between the research institutions at the technology location Dortmund and is a driver of networking and cooperation.

 

Profile

  • Initiative of the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft
  • Partner: Fraunhofer ISST, Digital Hub Management GmbH
  • Funding amount: 1 million euros p.a.
  • Duration: 01/2022 to 12/2024

Dr. Ing. Benedikt Mättig

Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics

Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Str. 2-4 
44227 Dortmund 

+49 231 9743-270

benedikt.maettig@iml.fraunhofer.de

#hightech-textiles

Under the slogan »Logistics for Textiles – Textiles for Logistics«, the CTL aims to bundle the efforts of industry to apply innovative solutions in practical applications and the interests of scientific partners in practice-related, current research topics in the field of textile logistics in the Lower Rhine region.

 

Fact sheet

  • Initiative of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences
  • Logistics is becoming more and more important for textile companies

Jan-Phillip Jarmer

Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics

Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Str. 2-4   
44227 Dortmund

+49 231 9743-269

jan-philipp.jarmer@iml.fraunhofer.de

#AI

The Lamarr Institute focuses on the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

The goal is to establish internationally competitive research that sustainably strengthens Germany and Europe as leading locations for research, teaching and technology transfer in AI.

 

Fact sheet

  • The collaboration between TU Dortmund University, the University of Bonn, Fraunhofer IAIS and IML conducts cutting-edge research in the field of machine learning
  • Promotion of young scientists and strengthening of technology transfer in companies

Sören Kerner

Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics

Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Str. 2-4  
44227 Dortmund

+49 231 9743-170

soeren.kerner@iml.fraunhofer.de