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An industrial park is set to become climate-neutral in the very near future: That is the goal for the Taicang High-Tech Zone in China, a key location for more than 560 German SMEs. This success depends not only new technologies, but also on close cooperation between all stakeholders including government, businesses, energy providers and research institutions. As a member of a newly established German-Chinese expert panel, Fraunhofer IAO is contributing its expertise from European zero-carbon and smart-city projects to the development of the Zero-Carbon Park in Taicang.

Raw material shortages, increasing regulatory requirements, and ever-more-complex supply chains are putting pressure on companies to keep materials and products in circulation longer. As part of the “SOLVE” project, Fraunhofer IAO, Fraunhofer IBP, the IAT at the University of Stuttgart, and partners from industry and research are developing methods and digital tools that will enable companies to systematically design, evaluate, and manage circular value creation networks in the future.

Robots that collect waste, guide patients through hospitals, or assist first responders during emergencies are no longer purely futuristic scenarios. While much of the underlying technology already exists, many urban robotics applications remain stuck in isolated pilot projects. A new white paper from Fraunhofer IAO explores what cities need to do to turn autonomous robotics into a reliable component of public services.

For the LUITA research project, the Institute of Human Factors and Technology Management (IAT) at the University of Stuttgart, in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering (IAO) and the districts of Reutlingen and Zollernalbkreis, is investigating how remotely piloted drones can provide faster situational updates – for example, in the case of forest fires – and support control centers and incident commanders even while they are en route to the scene of the incident. The goal is to develop a transferable blueprint for the safe and effective use of drones in emergency response.

INQUBATOR, Fraunhofer's quantum computing consulting and testing center, offers businesses an practical and cost-effective access to quantum computing. Starting immediately, companies of all sizes can apply with their use cases to develop customized solutions in collaboration with Fraunhofer partners and test the potential of quantum algorithms. The application deadline is September 15, 2026.

On June 18 and 19, 2026, the members of the Competence Center Quantum Computing Baden-Württemberg (KQCBW) were jointly invited by Fraunhofer IAO and Fraunhofer IAF to the fourth Developer Conference in Freiburg. The two-day event brought together the project and associated partners of the competence center from research and industry to discuss the latest advances and challenges in quantum computing.

In July 2026, Fraunhofer IAO will be launching the Applied Robotics Alliance (ARA). This new innovation network connects companies from various industries to explore new robotic applications and establish long-term R&D partnerships with the goal of strengthening robotics in Germany and beyond.

The CirkArena project is officially underway. Fraunhofer IAO, alongside Fraunhofer IPA and IBP, is establishing a leading European center for the circular economy in the Třinec-Ostrava region. In collaboration with the Czech research institute Materials and Metallurgical Research (MMV), the project aims to develop innovative solutions for the sustainable use of industrial byproducts and the creation of circular value chains, with the goal of conserving resources and reducing emissions.

How can automotive manufacturers meet increasing legal sustainability requirements without losing competitiveness? The PEARL software tool, currently being developed by Fraunhofer IAO and KTH Vehicle Design, will provide data-driven decision support to integrate circular economy, resource conservation, and cost efficiency into vehicle design from the outset.