New networking event in the electronics branch

This was an event the likes of which had not been seen before. “Our principle thought was to put on an event that offers a relaxed atmosphere for open discussion and exchange of opportunities and concepts,” says Thomas Schrott, CEO, Würth Elektronik eiSos, after the successful kick-off event. Marian Kost, Area Director Sales Central Europe South at Texas Instruments, also emphasised the networking character of the INNOposium: “Anyone wishing to keep pace with the trends and developments of the high-tech industry needs closely meshed networks and smoothly functioning partnerships.”

The inspiration for discussions and talking points at the kick-off event was given by two exciting, yet entirely different presentations dealing with the so-called 'smart factory'. These provided the participants with insights into the broad variety of ways in which the smart factory idea can be driven forward and realised. Gerd Manz, VP Technology Innovation at adidas AG, presented the concept of the speed factory, an instrument that makes it possible to translate technological innovations into consumer products even more swiftly. An entirely new field of business that characterises the smart factory in perfection is the area of Human-Centered Robotics. Prof. Ing. Sami Haddadin, CEO of the KBee AG company and director of the Institute of Control Engineering at the Leibniz University of Hannover, provided details on the rapid progress being made in this field, which counts as a major driving force behind the implementation of smart-factory concepts.

The venue for this year’s INNOposium was the Allianz Arena in Munich – a suitable setting, offering the participants of the event additional matter for discussion during a relatively technical tour of the famous sports stadium.