Press / Newsroom

Optimizing communication between vehicle and driver as a function of the degree of automation is the objective of a research project conducted by Fraunhofer in collaboration with other companies. The researchers are combining sensors for monitoring the vehicle interior with language models to form what are known as vision language models. They are designed to increase the convenience and safety of cars in the future.

Today (June 13, 2024), the general assembly of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft paved the way for viable and modern governance structures at Germany's largest applied research organization with a comprehensive statutory reform. The reform that was adopted will strengthen the senate as an advisory and supervisory body of the executive board and streamline Fraunhofer’s internal governance structures.

Today, June 12, 2024, the senate of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft appointed Prof. Constantin Häfner as the executive board member responsible for Research and Transfer. He is currently the executive director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT in Aachen and is expected to assume his board responsibilities shortly.

The tiniest parts of matter provide insight into big contexts. Sunlight, magnetism and molecular interactions are just some of the things that cannot be explained conclusively without them. As a basis for advanced technologies, quantum physics is set to achieve great things across a range of different areas. What is the current status of advances in quantum computing, communications, imaging and sensors?

Products from Germany’s factories enjoy an excellent reputation. In 2017, the “Made in Germany” label was ranked first in a study by statistics portal and market research firm Dalia Research. A recent study by entrepreneurship platform Meisterkreis, transformation research agency Sturm und Drang and agency group Serviceplan Group found that 25 percent of consumers in Europe, China and the United States favor German brands. Or rather, they still do. There is a trend toward domestic products, notably driven by U.S. President Donald Trump and his “America First” policy. And, as the study also reveals, German products have a worsening image here in their home country. Some 42 percent of German participants indicated that their reputation has declined. So how is the German art of engineering doing? Which technologies and methods might help to secure a competitive edge internationally? And how can the research sector support industry?

Science year 2025 - Energy of the Future: Fraunhofer is working to further develop and refine hydrogen technologies and geothermal systems while boosting their efficiency and at the same time to make nuclear fusion possible in the long term as an ecofriendly source of energy. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has dedicated Science Year 2025 to these energy forms of the future.

Fungal mycelium as a construction material, ecofriendly concrete and smart recycling solutions pave the way for climate neutrality.

The weapons available for fighting dangerous bacteria are losing their edge, and life-threatening infections are increasingly resistant to treatment. There are hardly any substitutes available so far, making it high time someone took action.

Fraunhofer-Forschende entwickeln Quantensysteme für verschiedene Anwendungen und Branchen, um damit Antworten auf die großen Herausforderungen unserer Zeit zu finden – ob Klima, Gesundheit, Verkehr oder Sicherheit.

The next stage in the evolution of technology is coming up: Artificial intelligence is poised to turn robots into all-around self-learners, helping out in industry, logistics, nursing, and private households. Will smart machines radically reshape our lives – and especially our working lives – not long from now?