Czech–German meeting of researchers and companies to address key topics shaping today’s industry
Intelligent and sustainable manufacturing, together with modern energy solutions, including hydrogen systems, will take centre stage at the third annual Czech–German Meeting, held on 18 March at VSB – Technical University of Ostrava (VSB-TUO). The event, organised by the unique Fraunhofer Innovation Platform (FIP-AI@VSB-TUO) in the Czech Republic, will bring together innovators from academia and industry not only from the Czech Republic and Germany, but also from countries such as Hungary, Poland, France, and Italy. Its aim is to foster new partnerships and open the doors to future cross‑border collaboration in these fields. Registration is open until 13 March.
“Applied research and the real-world deployment of research results have long been among our priorities. We are therefore pleased that this international networking event will connect representatives of companies, research institutions, clusters, and universities to create new opportunities for innovation, research collaboration, and cross‑border partnerships. Participants will share practical experiences and jointly explore new initiatives that can strengthen competitiveness and support the sustainable transformation of industry,” said Jan Platoš, Vice-Rector for Science, Research and Doctoral Studies at VSB‑TUO and Director of FIP‑AI@VSB‑TUO.
The programme will feature four thematic sessions focused on Industry 4.0 and AI, sustainable and efficient manufacturing – including new materials and energy‑efficient technologies, small‑batch and custom production, and innovations in energy systems, including hydrogen technologies. Successful innovations will be showcased, including digital twins and the Edmund system, which uses artificial intelligence to analyse operational data, predict potential equipment failures, and suggest optimal preventive measures for maintenance management. A hydrogen-powered utility vehicle will also be showcased.
“Today’s industry faces fundamental changes related to digitalisation, energy transformation, and increasing demands for sustainability and competitiveness. This is exactly why the event focuses on areas that are shaping the future direction of the European economy,” Platoš explained.
In addition to VSB-TUO and the Fraunhofer Institutes IWU and ICT, the event will also include partners such as the Moravian-Silesian Hydrogen Cluster, the Moravian-Silesian Automotive Cluster (Autoklastr), and the Chemnitz Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK Chemnitz).
“Both Czech and German industries are key contributors to GDP in our countries. The industrial transformation of recent years underscores the importance of collaboration between companies, universities, and research institutions in strengthening competitiveness and boosting efficiency across both manufacturing and non‑manufacturing activities. Innovation cycles are faster than ever, and without mutual collaboration and support from applied research departments of universities and R&D units of companies, long-term market success is impossible. We are on this journey together and achieving success collectively. The Czech-German Meeting is one of the milestones on this shared path,” expressed his support for the event, Libor Dobeš, Executive Director of the Moravian-Silesian Automotive Cluster.
Alongside the expert programme, networking and partnership‑building across academia and industry will be a key element of the event. Participants can also reserve exhibition stands to showcase their innovations directly on site.
Registration is open until 13 March. More information and the registration form are available here.