Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO
Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO

Future Work Lab

Innovation laboratory for work, people and technology

© Foto: Ludmilla Parsyak, Fraunhofer IAO

Future Work Lab

The Lab services are based on three pillars: The demonstration center, the "Fit for Future Work" learning environment and the ideas center.
© Foto: Ludmilla Parsyak, Fraunhofer IAO

Collaboration with large robot

How can people and robots work together safely at close quarters? Optical, guard-free protective mechanisms and the use of a heavy-duty robot facilitate new kinds of adaptive manufacturing scenarios.
© Ludmilla Parsyak, Fraunhofer IAO

Assisted assembly: a step-by-step guide to the finished workpiece

The personalized assembly workstation guides workers step by step through the entire assembly process. A monitor at eye level and projections directly beside the work surface enable interaction at all times.
© Rainer Bez, Fraunhofer IPA

Assisted assembly: a step-by-step guide to the finished workpiece

The personalized assembly workstation guides workers step by step through the entire assembly process. A monitor at eye level and projections directly beside the work surface enable interaction at all times.
© Rainer Bez, Fraunhofer IPA

Mobile workstation: providing information as needed

Whether it’s lighting, desk height or the provision of information, the industrial workstation of the future adapts flexibly to the respective work situation and to the individual needs of the employee.
© Heike Quosdorf, Fraunhofer IPA

Mobile workstation: providing materials as needed

A mobile robot brings workbenches, tools and materials to the employee whenever they are needed. The robot navigates freely through the room and avoids obstacles, or it can be controlled by the employee via a mobile device.
© Ludmilla Parsyak, Fraunhofer IAO

Exo-Jacket

Dank des Stuttgart Exo-Jackets können Mitarbeiter bei Hebetätigkeiten und Überkopfarbeiten unterstützt werden und somit – auch in Hinblick auf die alternde Arbeitnehmerschaft - gesünder und länger ihre Arbeit ausführen.
© Ludmilla Parsyak, Fraunhofer IAO

Exo Jacket

The Stuttgart Exo Jacket offers workers support during lifting tasks and overhead work, allowing them to stay healthier and work longer – a highly relevant benefit in view of the ageing workforce.
© Ludmilla Parsyak, Fraunhofer IAO

Exo Jacket

The exoskeleton follows the movement of the arms and offers power assistance; the additional load is directed to the hips or into the ground.
© Ludmilla Parsyak, Fraunhofer IAO

KPI dashboard for forepersons: data in real time

For everyday improvement work in shop floor management, real-time data will be available in the future. This will enable production workers to recognize problems directly and discover the effects of new solutions immediately.
© Ludmilla Parsyak, Fraunhofer IAO

Virtual and augmented reality: simulation and visualization in real time

Seeing and experiencing today what is possible tomorrow: augmented and virtual reality applications permit cost-effective planning and faster adjustments of the production system to disruptions on the shop floor.
© Rainer Bez, Fraunhofer IPA

Intelligent sensor systems: retrofitting with Sense & Act

The Sense & Act solution enables manufacturers to connect any number of old machines and systems via the cloud using smart sensor technology. Certain rulebased actions can then be triggered in the cloud, such as an e-mail about the system status, so that processes can be continuously optimized.

Research topics

A vibrant innovation center, the Future Work Lab allows visitors to experience the future of manufacturing today. In it, companies, associations, people who work in industry and trade unions can find out all about labor concepts for the digitalized world. The Future Work Lab brings Industry 4.0 applications, training programs and information about the current status of labor research together under one roof, enabling companies and employees to develop in ways that are in line with how the labor market will progress.

Facilities

The Lab services are based on three pillars:

  • The demonstration center, which enables people to experience at first-hand what the digitalized working world of the future will be like, with more than 60 applications, and that shows which technologies are already available today.
  • The "Fit for Future Work" learning environment, which offers sophisticated concepts for developing Industry 4.0 expertise, training and qualification.
  • The ideas center is a central platform for promoting scientific dialog and research into the production work of the future.