Study for the EFI report: how is Germany placed in the field of autonomous systems?
Berlin, 28 February 2018
acatech, the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechatronic Systems Design IEM have published a study on Germany’s position in the field of autonomous systems. It concludes that Germany’s strengths include a well-developed technology basis, specialisation in individual components, and well-established knowledge and technology transfer between research institutions and businesses. The study informed the annual report of the Commission of Experts for Research and Innovation (EFI), which was presented in Berlin on 28 February 2018.
How is Germany placed with regard to the development of autonomous systems? In a new study, acatech, the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechatronic Systems Design IEM evaluate where Germany stands in the field of autonomous systems compared to other countries around the world.
The study identifies autonomous driving, robotics and logistics as the main current drivers of developments in autonomous systems. Companies are increasingly specialising in individual components. The study concludes that Germany’s strengths include a well-developed technology basis and well-established knowledge and technology transfer between research institutions and businesses. It also highlights the willingness of public funding agencies to invest in certain areas of application such as mobility. However, the authors warn that a strong focus on individual areas of application and specific technologies can be problematic. Overall, Germany is currently well placed compared to other countries around the world and has significant opportunities to further differentiate itself from the competition. Nonetheless, the study also identifies a number of weaknesses and dangers concerning the key competencies for autonomous systems, for example with regard to interdisciplinary system design and system integration, as well as possible dependencies in the field of artificial intelligence.
The study’s final recommendations emphasise that since autonomous systems require close collaboration between different disciplines, it is important to establish an integrated funding policy. Launched by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) in 2017 and coordinated by acatech, the Plattform Lernende Systeme brings together a range of experts in this field. It promotes a dialogue between science, industry, government and the public on the technological, legal, ethical, security and social questions associated with the use of autonomous systems. The EFI report’s recommendations also stress that the complex innovation requirements in this area call for particular expertise in system design and integration. This should be reflected in the targeted training of people with the necessary skills.
The study was commissioned by the Commission of Experts for Research and Innovation (EFI). Its findings informed the EFI’s latest annual report, which was presented to Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel on 28 February 2018. The EFI provides scientific policy advice to the Federal Government, presenting regular reports on research, innovation and technological performance in Germany.
About the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI)
With research facilities in Kaiserslautern, Saarbrücken and Bremen (including a branch office in Osnabrück) and a project office in Berlin, the DFKI is Germany’s leading research centre for innovative software technology. The DFKI is regarded as one of the global scientific community’s foremost centres of excellence. Based on its headcount and the level of third-party funding that it receives, it currently ranks as the world’s largest research centre for artificial intelligence and the associated applications.
About the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechatronic Systems Design IEM
Based in Paderborn, the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechatronic Systems Design IEM is a centre of expertise for intelligent mechatronics in the context of Industrie 4.0. Scientists from the fields of mechanical engineering, software engineering and electrical engineering engage in interdisciplinary collaboration on the efficient and effective development of the products, production systems and services of tomorrow.
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