Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, Division Engineering of Adaptive SystemsSmall and medium-sized enterprises in particular face major challenges due to rising costs, competitive pressure, and rapid technological change. The use of new technologies such as artificial intelligence offers considerable opportunities but is often perceived as complex and hard to understand. At the same time, it is vital that businesses adapt in order to remain efficient and competitive in the long term.
To tackle these challenges, a demo production environment was created at the AI Application and Test Center in September 2025. This environment can be used to test AI applications within the production process in a realistic manner, serving to create initial points of contact or to test and refine specific application scenarios. Accordingly, it provides a focal point for companies, clarifying the use of AI in production and allowing faster and more effective knowledge transfer.
In the demo production environment, the existing infrastructure can be used to work on individual problems in a safe environment and with professional guidance. In the first stage of expansion, testing will run through a real production process at five stations. The spectrum ranges from adaptive robotics for intelligent automation to radio communication in production and smart sensor technology. Moreover, the demo environment models the potential of embedded edge components for data processing and that of a digital twin of the entire process.
The demo production environment is designed as a flexible and expandable platform that can be used to address the individual needs of companies. Through open exchange with partners and researchers and the opportunity to bring technology to life in real-world conditions, Fraunhofer IIS helps companies break down obstacles to innovation and push ahead with the digital transformation in an active and targeted manner.