Innovation networks are a tried-and-tested instrument in the field of pre-competitive research. There are two reasons for this: firstly, they enable the pooling of expertise and experience and, secondly, they give companies the opportunity to integrate critical issues from an early stage.

As well as the direct links to other project partners, work conducted in collaboration with companies that offer complementary skills also delivers the advantage of being able to investigate topics in far greater detail than in bilateral projects, while employing the same amount of resources. In order to further enhance its own range of skills, the Fraunhofer IAO is currently setting up innovation networks dealing with the topics of »Electric Mobility« and »New Materials«.