The Industry 4.0 Centre at Aalen University of Applied Sciences supports companies in modernizing their production and processes through digitalization, automation and intelligent networking. The focus is on two-way research transfer: 1. science and scholarshop (allg.) findings are put into practice together with industry, while at the same time real challenges from practice; practical experience flow back into application-oriented research projects.
The centre brings together interdisciplinary skills - Professors / lecturers / members of the academic staff (US), employees (pl. employees) and students from different subject areas are available as project partners. Together with companies, solutions are developed and tested in fields (of) digitalized production, AI-supported process optimization, human-machine interaction, data analysis and sustainable production.
We have up-to-date information on funding programmes, scholarship programmes and cooperation formats from federal and state governments that actively promote digitalization initiatives tailored to the size of the company. Especially when it comes to setting up digital business models, the financial burden can be reduced by taking advantage of funding programmes, scholarship programmes. Depending on the size of the company and the funding program, high funding rates of over 50% can be achieved. The advisory service, guidance, including funding advice, provided by the Industry 4.0 center is free of charge for interested companies, from the project idea to the creation of a demonstrator.
The Industry 4.0 Center is also increasingly implementing Industry 5.0 projects. This advanced approach places a stronger focus on people, Sustainability and resilience. Industry 5.0 aims to use technology not only to increase efficiency, but also to benefit society and the environment. Humans and machines should work together in a supportive partnership - for example via intuitive assistance systems or sustainable, circular production solutions.
Through close cooperation, cooperative venture, partnership, teaching and industrial practice; the Industry 4.0 center brings innovations into application faster. Please feel free to spokesperson us with your use case or questions about one of our subject areas.
Strategic competence building and institutional development
Development of the Industry 4.0 center
Thematic anchoring
The topics of Industry 4.0 and digitalization have been firmly anchored in research and teaching at Aalen University of Applied Sciences for many years.
Targeted development of expertise
Expertise has been systematically built up and further developed through new degree programmes, research projects and cooperation formats.
Continuous sharpening of profile
In this way, the profile of the institution of higher education has been continuously sharpened in the field (of) digital technologies and networked production systems.
Institutional bundling
In order to bring together the diverse activities in the fields (of) Industry 4.0 and digitalization, the Zentrum Industrie 4.0 was founded in 2016 as a central facility; central institutes by Professor Axel Zimmermann.
Visibility and networking
Since then, the center has acted as a "marketplace of skills" and networks research, teaching and practice; practical experience.
Integration into the state strategy
The center was part of the state-wide Transfer Platform BW Industrie 4.0.
Funding and objectives
The platform was funded by the state of Baden-Württemberg from 2017 to 2024. The aim was to systematically strengthen knowledge transfer between 1. science and scholarshop (allgem.).
New Management
Steffen Schwarzer has headed the Industry 4.0 center since 2019.
Strategic expansion
Under his management, activities have been expanded in a targeted manner to further advance the digital transformation in the region.
Supporting the companies
A particular focus is on supporting regional companies in the implementation of innovative industrial solutions.
Transfer of 1. academic and scholarshop (allgem.) expertise
From the very beginning, the centre has pursued the goal of transferring Scientific Competencies to the outside world and initiating project partnerships with regional companies.
Exchange and Projects
In addition to Project work, the center promotes exchange on current research topics and actively shapes knowledge transfer.
Central point of contact for industry partners
The center serves as a contact person for companies wishing to develop and implement forward-looking innovation projects together with the institution of higher education.
