Labs and Equipment

Curious about the working world of tomorrow? In our laboratories, we develop services, optimise human-technology interactions and design working environments. We use virtual and augmented reality to create immersive experiences and promote participative decision-making processes.

• ServLab / Erlebnisraum Smart Services: The Fraunhofer IAO's ServLab is a laboratory for developing and testing services. It uses methods such as virtual reality and enables an integrated view of people, technology and organisation in order to test concepts before market launch.

• NeuroLab: The Fraunhofer IAO's NeuroLab analyses the interaction between humans and technology using neuroscientific methods. It enables brain activity to be analysed in order to improve the user-friendliness and effectiveness of technical systems. The aim is to gain insights into cognitive processes and use these to optimise products and services.

• Immersive Participation Lab: The Fraunhofer IAO's Immersive Participation Lab researches and develops methods for the participatory involvement of people in virtual and real decision-making processes. It utilises technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality to enable immersive experiences and interactions. The aim is to improve the participation and acceptance of decision-making processes and to design innovative solutions in a participatory manner.

• User Experience Lab: In our User Experience Lab, we create pioneering digital solutions that combine our experience from industry and research. Here, the interaction between people and technology can be recorded and analysed using state-of-the-art media technologies and special evaluation tools. The aim is to systematically integrate the requirements and creative potential of users while taking market and manufacturer conditions into account. 
• (German) Digital Business Lab »DigiTales«: The ‘Digital Business Lab “DigiTales”’ IAO offers a comprehensive insight into innovative digitalisation and artificial intelligence solutions and technologies to optimise business processes and products, using the DigiTales method to define clear project goals and increase the acceptance of new solutions through storytelling and joint development.
• (German) Next:Lab - Interdisziplinäre Erarbeitung neuer Lösungsansätze: As an interdisciplinary platform, the ‘Next:Lab’ promotes collaboration between local stakeholders from business, administration and civil society to jointly develop innovative solutions, from brainstorming to prototyping, in a creative and technologically highly equipped environment. 
• Vehicle Interaction Lab incl. driving simulator and WoZ vehicle: The ‘Vehicle Interaction Lab’, equipped with an immersive driving simulator, focuses on optimising the user interface between driver and vehicle through advanced usability engineering in order to make interaction with modern driver information and driver assistance systems intuitive and efficient.

• (German) Cybersecurity learning lab: The ‘Cybersecurity learning lab’ brings IT security to life for people in order to address security risks associated with the human factor. It offers an immersive simulation environment with state-of-the-art demonstrators, analyses, tailored training courses, online training and workshops to qualify and protect specialists, managers and citizens in the field of IT security.
• VS-LAB – Viable Security Laboratory: The ‘VS-Lab - Laboratory for Viable Security’ develops and evaluates security solutions that are characterised by marketability and practicability by aligning security technologies with real user needs and economic contexts in order to effectively support companies in increasing their security level.

• Vehicle Interaction Lab incl. driving simulator and WoZ vehicle: The ‘Vehicle Interaction Lab’, equipped with an immersive driving simulator, focuses on optimising the user interface between driver and vehicle through advanced usability engineering in order to make interaction with modern driver information and driver assistance systems intuitive and efficient.
• Mobility Innovation Lab: The Mobility Innovation Lab researches pioneering mobility concepts that are driven by trends such as digitalisation and technological developments such as automated driving, and develops visionary, application-oriented solutions for sustainable and innovative mobility of the future in cooperation with industry and local authorities.
• Electric vehicle fleet with charging infrastructure : The ‘Electric vehicle fleet with charging infrastructure’ researches key aspects of electromobility, including peak load management, intelligent charging control, fleet management and integration into micro smart grids, in order to develop practical solutions for the challenges and potential of electric vehicle fleets and their environmentally friendly energy supply.
• Micro Smart Grid: The ‘Living Lab Micro Smart Grid’ demonstrates how intelligent, decentralised energy management works through the efficient coordination of energy producers, storage systems and consumers, using innovative technologies and control systems developed in-house to research and optimise a sustainable, efficient energy supply and e-mobility in practice.

• Digital Engineering Lab: The ‘Digital Engineering Lab’ (DELab) makes the future of product and production development tangible by using innovative methods and tools to realise high-quality products efficiently and cost-effectively from the idea to production, with a special focus on the integration of the real and digital worlds.
• Mobile plug-in lab for advanced systems engineering (German): The ‘Mobile Plug-In Laboratory for Advanced Systems Engineering’ brings innovative solutions and digital technologies directly to SMEs in Baden-Württemberg to make the development of complex technical systems tangible and realisable through practical demonstrations and individual on-site consultation.
• PDM-Beratungszentrum: The ‘PDM/PLM Consulting Centre’ offers comprehensive, neutral support in the selection and introduction of PDM/PLM systems to optimise product and production development in companies through consulting in process analysis, system selection and project management, based on in-depth know-how and experience in organisation and process management.
• Visual Technologies Lab: The ‘Visual Technologies Lab’ develops advanced interactive systems and user interfaces using 2D and 3D display and interaction technologies to enable efficient and ergonomic human-computer interactions and offers solutions such as the Extended Workdesk, ProTable, FusionWall, VRCademy and Virtual Desktop One for the digital working world.
• Digital Business Lab »DigiTales« (German): The ‘Digital Business Lab “DigiTales”’ IAO offers a comprehensive insight into innovative digitalisation and artificial intelligence solutions and technologies to optimise business processes and products, using the DigiTales method to define clear project goals and increase the acceptance of new solutions through storytelling and joint development.
• Quantum Lab (German): The Quantum Lab (QLab) at the Fraunhofer IAO promotes the transfer of knowledge on quantum computing for companies and the public. It offers insights and training at various levels of expertise, from entry to expert level, to introduce interested parties to the fascinating world of quantum technology.
• Urban Innovation Hub – uih! (German): As an innovation platform, the ‘Urban Innovation Hub’ (uih!) in Heilbronn promotes cooperation between research, business and society in order to tackle the challenges of bricks-and-mortar retail and city centre development and develop innovative solutions for a vibrant, sustainable city.
• Smart Services Competence Centre (German): The ‘Smart Services Competence Centre’ supports SMEs in Baden-Württemberg in the development of digital business models and smart services through networking, practical demonstrators and targeted knowledge transfer.

• Future Work Lab: The Future Work Lab is an innovation laboratory that brings the working world of the future to life. It offers demonstrators, training opportunities and advice on all aspects of digitalisation and Industry 4.0. The aim is to prepare companies and employees for the demands of the digital world of work and to strengthen their ability to innovate.
• Model Factory : The ‘model factory’ demonstrates innovative assembly systems and Industry 4.0 solutions to show companies how they can design their production processes efficiently and economically using digital technologies and optimised assembly systems, including individual advice and training opportunities.
• Center for Frugal Products and Manufacturing Systems (ZFP) : The ‘Center for Frugal Products and Manufacturing Systems (ZFP) ’ of the Fraunhofer IAO, in cooperation with the Fraunhofer IPA, specialises in supporting companies in the development of frugal innovations - simple, robust and cost-effective solutions that enable high-quality products and services for cost-sensitive markets - through consulting, methodological training and practical project support.

• AI studios - experience workshops for the participatory design of operational AI applications (German): The AI studios in Stuttgart are an experience workshop that offers practical insights into artificial intelligence. Companies and individuals can try out and use AI technologies there. The aim is to facilitate access to AI and demonstrate its potential.