The International Ilmenau Scientific Colloquium (IWK) at the Ilmenau University of Technology has commenced today with the theme “Engineering for a changing World”. Over the course of five days, 400 participants from 17 countries will be seeking technical solutions to the challenges posed by a rapidly changing world. With a particular focus on the increasing energy consumption and climate change, the conference aims to explore efficiency and circular economy. One promising development to be presented at the IWK is the concept of “Productive Teamings”.
Revolutionizing Production: Humans and Machines in Teamwork
Researchers from the Technical University of Chemnitz, the Technical University of Ilmenau, and the Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg have joined forces in the CHIM network to rethink production in the industry. While humans have played the main role since the industrial revolution in the 18th/19th century, Productive Teaming brings the machine into the team. The human/machine interaction, which has already gained importance in the context of Industry 4.0, is at the center of this approach. By using artificial intelligence, humans and machines are aligned in such a way that tasks and problems can be solved more efficiently than ever before.
Intelligent machines learn and empathetically intervene in production processes
Productive Teaming revolutionizes the manufacturing industry by enabling intelligent machines to not only learn but also intervene empathetically in the production process. Similar to a human supervisor who recognizes when a worker is overwhelmed or emotionally drained and offers support or removes them from the manufacturing process, machines will be able to act similarly in the future.
Productive Teaming is a groundbreaking concept that goes beyond the traditional collaboration between mechanical gears and includes the integration of Artificial Intelligence, software, and sensors, with human support. The CHIM network has presented this concept as part of the Excellence Strategy of the federal and state governments in the Excellence Cluster competition. The objective is to create a future with production systems that are centered around human needs.
IWK: Europe’s Longest-Running Engineering Conference Explores Wide Range of Topics
The International Ilmenau Scientific Colloquium (IWK) is the longest-running conference in Europe in the field of engineering sciences, with a history dating back to 1956. This year’s IWK covers a wide range of topics, including precision engineering, measurement technology, digitization and Industry 4.0, mechanics, mechatronics, biomechatronics, compliant systems, as well as the development of technical systems and innovative metallic materials. All of these areas are expertise fields of the Ilmenau University of Technology.
Productive Teaming, presented at the IWK, is a groundbreaking development that integrates artificial intelligence into the production process, enabling efficient collaboration between humans and machines. This concept envisions empathetic machines that act like human supervisors, revolutionizing production and paving the way for human-centered systems in the future. The IWK serves as an ideal platform for discussing and advancing innovative engineering solutions, making it the perfect venue to explore the potential of Productive Teaming and other forward-thinking advancements in the industry.
