The aim of the research network is to develop innovative solutions and ideas for the efficient commissioning and safeguarding of environment sensors of autonomous vehicles in production. The internationally oriented network is supported by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) through the funding program “ZIM – Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand” (“Central Innovation Program for SMEs”).
The network consists of a total of 16 partners, including predominantly SMEs and companies such as DAIMLER AG, research institutions such as ZeMA (Center for Mechatronics and Automation Technology) or DFKI (German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence) and associations such as autoregion e.V.. Ignite Group will be in charge of the network management.
„We are very pleased to welcome the new research and development network of the automotive industry with our cooperation and the associated initiative of ZeMA and Ignite Group and are looking forward to the joint projects.“
Armin Gehl, Managing Director of autoregion.e.V.
By connecting the international participants of the network, both the regional and the European competitiveness of the automotive suppliers in the Benelux region will be strengthened. On the one hand, the background of the network is the great significance of automotive suppliers from Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate, Wallonia, Lorraine and Luxembourg for Europe. These do not only represent the largest cluster of suppliers in Europe, but are also responsible for around 140,000 jobs.
„As the initiator of the network, we see the joint research as a great added value for the European automotive industry in the transnational transfer of knowledge, starting with the development of ideas through to industrialisation.“
Prof. Dr. Rainer Müller, Scientific Director of ZeMA
On the other hand, the automotive industry is facing a paradigm shift: vehicles are increasingly being automated with the help of sensors (cameras, ultrasound, radar, etc.). Today, drivers are already familiar with many assistance systems, such as lane-keeping systems or parking aids. However, the development towards autonomous driving will drastically increase the number of assistance systems and associated sensors and the functionalities will become safety-critical: any malfunction can cause a fatal accident. At the same time, responsibility for accidents moves from the driver to the manufacturer. An important aspect of the network is therefore the efficient commissioning and functional safeguarding of the sensors during vehicle production. Until now there was no need and therefore no common solutions. In the future, however, production must ensure that the systems continue to run reliably after assembly and any garage visits.
„With our research network, we are contributing innovative solutions to the challenges faced by the automotive industry. This represents an important milestone for automotive suppliers in Saarland and Europe.“
Dr. Marco Nesarajah, Manager of the network
About
Ignite Group
Ignite Group is a nationwide management consultancy based in Saarbrücken and Berlin.
The enterprise concerns itself for more than 20 years with the subjects innovation, research and development, technology promotion and financing. The focus lies on SME from all industrial ranges. Many are accompanied thereby already for several years. Ignite Group has relevant experience with the management of networks, such as the „PerzPektive“ research network or the „Stahl 4.0“ Innovation Forum. The service also includes support on state, federal and EU level. Supported funding programs include the Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM), the EIC Accelerator, the GRW Investment Grant and go-innovativ (go-inno).
Ignite Group is authorized by the Federal Ministry of Economics to provide consulting vouchers of up to 27,500 Euros for the go-inno support program. In addition, Ignite Group is ISO 9001 certified by TÜV Süd and a member of the Offensive Mittelstand and the Bundesverband mittelständischer Wirtschaft (BVMW).
