This page was translated automatically using artificial intelligence (DeepL). The German version is binding. More information about automatic translation
At Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, KI:X – the ‘Knowledge Incubator for Digital Technologies of the Future’ – is being established as an open research space at the interface between technological development and practical application. The aim of the project is to establish a knowledge incubator designed to systematically harness knowledge from the fields of technology, application and business. The focus is on artificial intelligence (AI) and extended reality (XR) technologies, as well as other key digital technologies.
A space for innovation for everyone – open, practical and connected
KI:X is designed as an open innovation ecosystem in which students and researchers collaborate with external experts and practitioners. The planned activities focus on the exchange of knowledge, the development and exploration of new application ideas based on this knowledge, and the targeted preparation of technology transfer and commercialisation projects. KI:X is thus intended to help bring new technological developments into commercial use more quickly.
Skills development through knowledge sharing and practical insights
Students and researchers at HSMW are to have their skills enhanced through interaction with experts from the professional world. This is intended not only to support start-up projects, but also to inspire students and researchers to pursue careers in regional small and medium-sized enterprises. Through interdisciplinary additional qualifications, career opportunities are to be improved both in academia and, above all, in the business sector. The plans include practical formats, project workshops, development partnerships and exchanges with experts from various industries.
Interdisciplinary collaboration across university boundaries
The coordinator is Prof. Dr Philipp Klimant, Head of the Chair of Virtual Technologies (VT). Seven chairs and institutes at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences are contributing their expertise – supplemented by strong industry partners such as Siemens AG, Volkswagen AG, TRUMPF SE & Co. KG and Hörmann Rawema.
The following are involved within HSMW:
- Prof. Dr Andreas Ittner, Blockchain Competence Centre Mittweida (BCCM)
- Prof. Dr Alexander Knauer, Chair of Future Technologies and Entrepreneurship
- Prof. Dr Michael Kuhl, Chair of Systems Electronics
- Prof. Dr Alexander Marbach, Creative Content Design and Virtual Production
- Prof. Dr Marc Ritter, Chair of Media Informatics
- Undine Schmalfuß, Institute for SME Cooperation (MIKOMI)
- Prof. Dr Thomas Villmann, Saxon Institute for Computational Intelligence and Machine Learning (SICIM)
The project aims to further establish Mittweida as a centre of innovation in the field of key digital technologies and to create an ecosystem that permanently forges closer links between research, industry and society.
Project leader Philipp Klimant sums it up as follows:
The AI:X project aims to further strengthen Mittweida University of Applied Sciences as a centre of innovation for future digital technologies. At the same time, it aims to create an open innovation ecosystem that brings research, business and society closer together and provides new impetus for technological developments and start-up ventures.
Background: Federal funding for strong university research clusters
AI:X is made possible by funding from the federal programme ‘UoAS-ForschungsraumQualifizierung’. The programme supports Universities of Applied Sciences in establishing new research infrastructures designed to have a lasting impact and create new networks. The Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) is providing a total of around 3 million euros for the development of AI:X until September 2029. After that, the knowledge incubator is to be continued and consolidated on a self-sustaining basis.
