Fraunhofer Innovation Platform at VSB-TUO continues, focusing on AI for industry

The Fraunhofer Innovation Platform at VSB – Technical University of Ostrava (FIP-AI@VSB-TUO), unique in the Czech Republic and focused on innovations for a more efficient and sustainable industry, is today entering another five-year period. VSB-TUO and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, one of Europe’s leading organisations for applied research, have agreed to continue their collaboration. The platform brings together materials research, applied artificial intelligence, forming technologies, and energy systems.

“In its initial phase, the Fraunhofer Innovation Platform at VSB-TUO established effective collaboration structures, launched promising research projects, and engaged industrial partners. The decision to support the second phase reflects confidence in the development of the platform and its strategic relevance,” said Frauke Mickler, Program Manager for International Research Collaboration at the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft.

The Fraunhofer Innovation Platform for Applied Artificial Intelligence for Materials & Manufacturing at VSB – Technical University of Ostrava was officially launched in Ostrava in June 2021. Several faculties and university institutes at VSB-TUO participate in the collaboration together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology (Fraunhofer ICT) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology (Fraunhofer IWU).

“The platform originated as a continuation of the long-standing cooperation between Fraunhofer IWU and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at VSB-TUO. Over time, however, it has expanded into a much broader partnership involving other university departments and industry partners. Today, it covers topics ranging from technical safety and materials development to energy and environmental technologies, as well as micromobility and high-performance computing,” said Jan Platoš, Director of FIP-AI@VSB-TUO and Vice-Rector for Science, Research and Doctoral Studies at VSB-TUO.

The platform’s tangible results include 17 funded projects from national and European programmes focused on intelligent manufacturing, materials development, sustainable energy systems – including the use of the energy potential of urban infrastructure and heat storage systems in buildings, the development of e-mobility and smart urban transport solutions, and AI-based applications. These activities have generated more than €10 million for the participating partners and involved 20 industrial partners from the Czech Republic and Germany. FIP-AI@VSB-TUO is also closely linked to the strategic REFRESH project, the largest project in VSB-TUO’s history to date, focused on the transformation of the Moravian-Silesian Region. The platform also contributes to scientific publications, the organisation of international conferences, and the presentation of results at professional events across Europe and beyond.

“We connect academic excellence with industrial practice in a strongly interdisciplinary environment and act as a driving force for innovation for sustainable industry. Our goal is to further strengthen this position and reinforce the platform’s brand as an easily accessible contact point for companies seeking AI-based solutions in the areas of materials technologies, forming, energy systems, and related fields,” said Dieter Weise, Deputy Director of FIP-AI@VSB-TUO from Fraunhofer IWU.

Artificial intelligence will be the common denominator of most future research activities. “Today, AI is not only used for passive data analysis. It is increasingly capable of designing new solutions, optimising processes, and supporting decision-making in industrial practice. The IT4Innovations computing infrastructure at VSB-TUO, including supercomputers, a quantum computer, and the Czech AI Factory, will provide a secure environment for this research,” added Jan Platoš.

There are currently 13 Fraunhofer Innovation Platforms operating worldwide across nine countries. The most recent was established at Tongji University in China, focusing on intelligent transportation and mobility monitoring.