Autonomous or humanoid? This question was the focus of the first ideas workshop on the future of construction machinery automation.

On June 26, 2025, the 7th network meeting of the ZIM innovation network AutoRobXL took place at a particularly suitable location: in the test hall of the Chair of Construction Machinery at TU Dresden. ?️
? The highlights:
– Three ongoing ZIM projects presented exciting interim results for the first time.
– Three new project ideas were presented – one of which is already ready for application.
– With the Ideas Workshop, we are launching a new format for trend analysis and idea development for future R&D projects.
? To kick things off, we discussed the provocative question:
? “Do we really want to make construction machinery autonomous – or will we simply place humanoid robots on existing machines in the future?”
A question that is more than just an abstract approach. It opens up the view of:
– system innovation vs. system integration
– costs vs. complexity
– platform change vs. adaptation of existing technology
Both have potential – and both need research, courage and support.
? At the end, there was a joint family photo in the test hall – a symbol of the strong community and the will to create in the network. We look forward to the next stages with you!

 

DThe eyes of AI: How mSEMs map the nano-world.

At NanoWorldMaps, advanced imaging technologies such as multi-beam scanning electron microscopes (mSEMs) are more than just microscopes – they act as the sensory organs of artificial intelligence. These instruments generate nanometer-precise data sets on a petabyte scale and enable AI to not only analyze the complexity of the physical world, but to perceive it.

Whether mapping neuronal connections in neuroscience, discovering hidden structures in high-performance materials or inspecting complex semiconductor architectures – high-resolution imaging forms the basis for next-generation scientific findings.

The mSEM uses 91 electron beams working in parallel, enabling ultra-fast, high-resolution imaging of even macroscopic objects on a nanometer scale. The technology is ideal for analyzing semiconductor chips, nanomachines, biological tissue samples or complex organ structures such as the brain. From 2025, NanoWorldMaps will provide access to electron microscopic examinations with the MultiSEM (mSEM) from Zeiss Microscopy.

An 2025, NanoWorldMaps will provide access to electron microscopic investigations with the MultiSEM (mSEM) from Zeiss Microscopy.

The mSEM uses 91 electron beams working in parallel, enabling ultra-fast, high-resolution imaging of even macroscopic objects on a nanometer scale. The technology is ideal for analyzing semiconductor chips, nanomachines, biological tissue samples or complex organ structures such as the brain.

Dhe good news: it has been greatly improved. The Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM) is the program of choice for manageable technical innovations from SMEs that are to be developed and brought to market in 1-2 years. Not well suited for software projects.

• Maximum grant per company: EUR 168,000 – 336,000
• Lump sum: On proof up to +100% of personnel costs for companies, 85% for research institutions
• Subsidy: 25-60 % of the costs + lump sum
• Funding body: Federal Government -> BMWK -> AiF/VDI VDE-IT#
• Program budget: approx. 650 million euros per year
• Funding topics: Development of innovative products, processes or technical services without restriction to specific technologies and sectors
• Eligible to apply: SMEs and medium-sized companies with up to 1,000 employees
• Formats: In-house (individual project), consortia (2 or more SMEs), networks (6 or more SMEs)
• Application: single-stage, possible on an ongoing basis
• Requirements: Innovation, technical risks, economic exploitation
• Difficulty level: Easy

Funding opportunities:

• Individual projects: R&D projects of a single company

• Cooperation projects: R&D projects involving several partners

• Innovation networks: development and management of networks with common development goals

ZIM grants are non-repayable subsidies and can be combined individually – also with international partners.

The following table shows the subsidy rates (in yellow) for different company sizes. The classification is based on the number of employees and turnover/total assets. Higher funding rates apply for young companies and companies in structurally weak regions. There are also higher funding rates for cooperation partners with international participation.

Is part of a pioneering ZIM cooperation project, AutoRobXL is developing a groundbreaking automation kit that will revolutionize the way we think about positioning and controlling attachments.

The challenge:

Until now, modular, autonomous and semi-autonomous positioning systems for mobile machinery were not available. This meant that every automation solution was tailor-made and therefore expensive and time-consuming.

Our solution:

This is exactly where AutoRobXL’s modular automation system comes in. We are developing a modular system that can be flexibly adapted to different machines and attachments. This makes automation affordable and accessible even for medium-sized companies with small production runs.

Central functions:
(Partially) automated positioning of the Tool Center Point (TCP): Precise and efficient control of the attachment for optimum work results.
Intuitive display and operating concept: The machine operator always retains full control and can visualize and control the positioning process in real time.
The advantages:

• Flexibility: The modular system can be adapted to different machines and tasks.
• Efficiency: Automated processes save time and resources.
• Precision: The TCP is positioned exactly, which increases the quality of the work.
• User-friendliness: The intuitive operating concept makes work easier.
• Affordability: Also accessible for medium-sized companies.

The future of automation:

With the AutoRobXL modular automation system, we are pioneers in the development of flexible and affordable automation solutions for mobile machinery. We look forward to shaping the future of the industry and offering our customers innovative solutions.

OrganoPor is a research project for the development of innovative thermal insulation made from inexpensive and mass-available natural materials. The objective of OrganoPor is to develop insulation systems that are thermally insulating, self-supporting and flame retardant. Furthermore, the insulation material should be_CO2-neutral or even_CO2-negative through recycling and thus contribute to climate protection.

The technological approach of OrganoPor is to coat natural materials with flame-retardant bio-resin and thus process them into insulation boards. OrganoPor boards are intended to be competitive with conventional insulation boards and could be used in the same way for external thermal insulation composite systems in the future.

Eood news for the ZIM innovation network AutoRobXL: The second phase of the network will start on November 1, 2024. AutoRobXL(https://autorobxl.de) has now received the official funding decision from the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK).

In this second phase, the network will develop technologies and applications for the automation and digitalization of large-scale robotics on construction sites over a further two years and expand its joint expertise. In this way, the network will contribute to accelerating construction projects and increasing occupational safety on construction sites.

“With this support, the partnerships between the participating companies and research institutions can be further promoted in order to develop practical automation solutions for the challenges of the construction industry,” says network manager Dr. Manfred Andreas Baumgaertner. “Phase 2 promises to make important contributions to the development of (partially) autonomous mobile machinery,” expects Prof. Frank Will, Chair of Construction Machinery at network partner Technische Universität Dresden. “In addition, our joint work should provide positive impetus for the entire industry and help to position Germany as a pioneer in the automation of construction sites.”