19. January '24
A group of people, both men and women, pose together indoors at Hochschule Coburg. Behind them is a large poster with an image of a brain and the words “Künstliche Intelligenz,” alongside a “CO” logo. The setting appears to be an office or conference room.
A group of people, both men and women, pose together indoors at Hochschule Coburg. Behind them is a large poster with an image of a brain and the words "Künstliche Intelligenz," alongside a "CO" logo. The setting appears to be an office or conference room.
Four men in business attire are standing and conversing in a well-lit room with wooden walls, reminiscent of a classroom at Hochschule Coburg. One man holds a paper as they engage in discussion. A blue machine stands on the right side, adding a touch of modernity to the academic setting.
Four men in business attire are standing and conversing in a well-lit room with wooden walls, reminiscent of a classroom at Hochschule Coburg. One man holds a paper as they engage in discussion. A blue machine stands on the right side, adding a touch of modernity to the academic setting.
A group of professionally dressed individuals engage in conversation around a wooden table in a modern office at Hochschule Coburg. A robot arm and a presentation screen are visible in the background, highlighting the innovative environment.
A group of professionally dressed individuals engage in conversation around a wooden table in a modern office at Hochschule Coburg. A robot arm and a presentation screen are visible in the background, highlighting the innovative environment.
A man in a suit and glasses is smiling while holding a small mechanical object at Hochschule Coburg. He stands in a room with industrial equipment, including a green machine in the background. The setting appears to be a workshop or lab.
A man in a suit and glasses is smiling while holding a small mechanical object at Hochschule Coburg. He stands in a room with industrial equipment, including a green machine in the background. The setting appears to be a workshop or lab.
A group of students and a teacher at Hochschule Coburg gather around a 3D printer in a classroom. They watch with curiosity as it operates, clearly interested in the process. The setting is modern and well-equipped for learning.
A group of students and a teacher at Hochschule Coburg gather around a 3D printer in a classroom. They watch with curiosity as it operates, clearly interested in the process. The setting is modern and well-equipped for learning.
A group of five men in business attire stand together in an office setting at Hochschule Coburg. Two of them are interacting, one holding a gift bag and the other a notebook and folder. They appear to be engaged in a pleasant conversation.
A group of five men in business attire stand together in an office setting at Hochschule Coburg. Two of them are interacting, one holding a gift bag and the other a notebook and folder. They appear to be engaged in a pleasant conversation.
A group of five men in suits and casual wear are smiling and engaged in conversation at Hochschule Coburg. One man holds an item resembling a small sculpture. They appear to be in a modern indoor setting with soft lighting, creating an atmosphere of intellectual exchange.
A group of five men in suits and casual wear are smiling and engaged in conversation at Hochschule Coburg. One man holds an item resembling a small sculpture. They appear to be in a modern indoor setting with soft lighting, creating an atmosphere of intellectual exchange.
A group of people in business attire are standing and conversing in a modern office space at Hochschule Coburg. Others are seated, listening attentively. The room features wooden shelving, exposed bulbs, and technical equipment.
A group of people in business attire are standing and conversing in a modern office space at Hochschule Coburg. Others are seated, listening attentively. The room features wooden shelving, exposed bulbs, and technical equipment.
Two men in suits stand next to a robotic arm holding metal parts in the modern, well-lit office of Hochschule Coburg, with large windows. The table is scattered with various mechanical components and small green objects.
Two men in suits stand next to a robotic arm holding metal parts in the modern, well-lit office of Hochschule Coburg, with large windows. The table is scattered with various mechanical components and small green objects.
A man wearing a virtual reality headset and holding controllers interacts with a screen, capturing the attention of three onlookers. They stand in a room at Hochschule Coburg, framed by the modern touch of a glass block wall.
A man wearing a virtual reality headset and holding controllers interacts with a screen, capturing the attention of three onlookers. They stand in a room at Hochschule Coburg, framed by the modern touch of a glass block wall.
from Natalie Schalk
Bavarian Science Minister Markus Blume visited the “MACHBAR” in the center of Lichtenfels to find out more about the Upper Franconia Digital Intelligence Cooperative Technology Transfer Center (TTZ).
Its aim is to strengthen the innovative power of SMEs in rural areas with the help of science. Digital technologies offer the opportunity to develop innovative and completely new solutions for current issues faced by small and medium-sized enterprises.
The still young TTZ Oberfranken with its location in Lichtenfels aims to impart digital skills in the product life cycle.
On site, the Bavarian Minister of Science learned about exciting applications such as 3D-printed injection molding tools, learned about intelligent industrial grippers in lightweight construction and looked at virtual baked goods: A prototype was developed together with the Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Handwerk (MDZH) for apprentice training in bakery sales, in which the bakery store is simulated with the help of VR glasses.
“Technological impetus is needed to further develop Bavaria as a business location,” explained Blume.
He spoke about the importance of Bavaria’s High-Tech Agenda and reported that artificial intelligence (AI) was also the focus of the CSU parliamentary group’s winter retreat at Kloster Banz.
“The most exciting concept we currently have is the TTZ,” said Blume.
“Universities with a convincing concept, companies that say: These are the topics we are interested in – and municipalities that want it and make premises available,” the minister listed: “It needs an alliance of the willing.”
The size of this alliance in Upper Franconia was demonstrated by the lively attendance at MACHBAR, the future workshop of the Research and Application Center for Digital Future Technologies (FADZ).
Blume thanked the representatives from science, business and politics who made the “Kooperative TTZ Oberfranken Digitale Intelligenz” possible and paid particular tribute to the commitment of Jürgen Baumgärtner, Member of Parliament for the constituency of Kronach Lichtenfels.
Technological excellence in Upper FranconiaProf.Dr. Stefan Gast, President of Coburg University of Applied Sciences, emphasized the good cooperation on site and also with the TTZ location in Kronach, briefly explained the TTZ start in Lichtenfels and what opportunities will open up in the future: “Our first TTZ employees are now housed in MACHBAR for a quick start. The spirit of our TTZ is already very evident here thanks to the close cooperation with the already established FADZ. Once the location of the TTZ has been determined, it will also be ensured that we can exploit further opportunities for technological excellence.”
For the TTZ’s cutting-edge research in Lichtenfels, the focus is on how companies can achieve technological competitive advantages from development to production with the help of individualization, automation and artificial intelligence.
A valuable combination of science and business, in which the Free State of Bavaria is investing heavily: Around eight million euros are flowing into the TTZ at the Lichtenfels and Kronach sites.
Cooperation partners are Coburg University of Applied Sciences and Nuremberg Institute of Technology.
With a focus on digital skills in the product life cycle, the TTZ at the Lichtenfels site also complements Coburg University’s master’s degree course in Additive Manufacturing and Lightweight Design. Students work on projects from real everyday business life and there is also close cooperation with the FADZ here. Developing prospects for the region together “I am delighted that Minister Blume accepted my invitation to find out more about the FADZ and the TTZ directly on site. There is no university in the district of Lichtenfels, which is why the cooperation via the TTZ is a great opportunity for the local economy to make its companies fit for the future. The TTZ is also a good building block for strengthening the district of Lichtenfels as a place to live and work,” explained District Administrator Christian Meißner.
Philipp Steinberger, CEO of the Wöhner company and board member of the FADZ business association, added: “We are jointly developing prospects for regional development from future technologies in Upper Franconia. We have actively supported the TTZ right from the start and we are delighted that an initial pragmatic framework for the project has been found by moving into the MACHBAR. It is the prerequisite for creating direct benefits for the companies.”
The town is also delighted: “We very much welcome Coburg University’s commitment to Lichtenfels, as this has given the district town the opportunity to become a university location,” said Mayor Andreas Hügerich. “Together with the local economy, we are now working on further expanding the FADZ and TTZ in order to secure Lichtenfels as a location in the long term. We are therefore also very pleased that Minister of State Blume and his ministry, as well as the Bavarian state government, are backing Lichtenfels as a location.” A strong university team President Gast presented the topics of the university together with Prof. Dr. Martin SynoldVice President for Research and Young Scientists.
The content was presented by Prof. Dr. Jens Grubert, Scientific Director of the TTZ in Lichtenfels and an expert in artificial intelligence (AI) for engineering and production, and his colleagues Prof. Dr. Veit Müller with a focus on automation, as well as Prof. Dr. Alexander Rost and Prof. Dr. Markus Stark, with expertise in new materials and production processes.
While those responsible talked a lot about the technological, economic and scientific future of the region, the next generation was already waiting in the wings: In the entrance area of MACHBAR, a secondary school class tested the possibilities of 3D printing and laser cutting in a hands-on workshop.
Minister Blume chatted with the pupils, then nodded with satisfaction: “This joint approach with the skilled trades, SMEs, schools and even universities: That’s what makes the concept so exciting!”
Small and medium-sized enterprises that would like to suggest ideas or projects can contact ttz[at] hs-coburg .de.
Further information: https://www.hs-coburg.de/forschung/ttz-oberfranken.html
