Under the direction of Professor Holger Brüggemann, a team from Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences in Wolfenbüttel presented the Human Input Device (HID) to the public. The doll-shaped HID, which is the result of the FHprofUnt funding line, ‘translates’ human motion sequences into a virtual human model for simulation software. The figure – which is produced using 3D printing and equipped with angle sensors at the joints – can simulate assembly workflows to make workplaces more ergonomic, for example. The central challenge in this project was to simplify the complex motion sequences – the human body has a large number of joints – in such a way that all requirements are adequately represented. The innovation developed in cooperation with Siemens is intended to benefit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and save them time-consuming programming work. Because, as Holger Brüggemann explained to Federal Research Minister Anja Karliczek on Monday during her visit to Hannover Messe, ‘even today, it is still not easy to program human motion sequences’.

FH-Impuls partnerships present themselves at Hannover Messe

Targeted networking, strategic innovations and the formation of sustainable corporate partnerships in socially relevant research fields – these topics are at the centre of the BMBF competition “Strong Universities of Applied Sciences – Impulse for the Region” (FH-Impuls). Last year, ten partnerships selected by a panel were initiated. At this year’s Hannover Messe, the four partnerships X-Energy, innovation centre for wind energy, system integration and storage; SAFIR for vehicle and traffic safety; smartFoodTechnologyOWL for the use of Industry 4.0 in the food industry; and SmartPro for smart materials and intelligent production technologies were presented. All projects focus on cooperation and networking with companies from the region as well as with other universities of applied sciences and other players.