Electronics executives get together in Stuttgart
Waldenburg (Germany), 20 October 2016 – The INNOposium, a Würth Elektronik and Texas Instruments forum for decision-makers in the electronics sector, was held for the second year running on 4 October 2016 in the Kulturbetrieb Wagenhallen in Stuttgart. This time around, the motto was “Sensorfusion – innovation in automotives and the factory of tomorrow”.
Before the industry experts took to the podium, Dr. Walter Döring, former Minister of Economic Affairs for the state of Baden-Württemberg, held the opening speech titled “Germany, Austria, Switzerland – top global innovation leaders”. He was followed by Dr. André Blum, Innovation Scouting & Project Management Progressive Semiconductor Program at AUDI AG, who talked about “Sensor Innovations in Automotives”. Dr. Blum stressed the significance of radar sensors for driver assistance systems today, and in the future, and predicted that, by 2030, electronic components would account for 50% of the average production costs of an automobile. He also stressed the growing importance of sensor technology for autonomous production processes in automobile manufacturing.
Smart Factory
Next, Dr. Hans Krattenmacher, head of Electronics Development at SEW-EURODRIVE GmbH & Co. KG, presented the smart production processes at his company and described the impact of Industry 4.0 on everyday production. Digitization, progressive supply chain planning and lean manufacturing principles are all interlinked in drive production at SEW; also, as Dr. Krattenmacher put it, to achieve “higher collaboration productivity between people and technology”. Benedikt Rauscher, Team Leader R&D at Pepperl+Fuchs GmbH, delivered a further speech on sensor technology and Industry 4.0.
The evening was rounded off with interesting talks and discussions between the assembled decision-makers. A special highlight at the event was a Formula E racing car – next season’s model, in fact, that exemplifies the successful technology partnership between electronics manufacturer Würth Elektronik and the ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport racing team, and also symbolizes the advanced innovation in e-mobility.
