Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS
Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS

MOTIONS – Smart Connectivity for Automated Manufacturing and Logistics Environments

© Fraunhofer / AI-Assisted Visualization

Smart Connectivity That Moves Industry Forward

Test and Evaluate Connectivity in Practice

Would you like to improve the connectivity of mobile robots, gain greater visibility into your wireless environment, use localization technologies or integrate data from different systems? MOTIONS supports companies in evaluating, testing and implementing smart connectivity solutions for manufacturing and intralogistics, independently of specific vendors. MOTIONS combines technology testing with training and knowledge transfer. Companies can not only explore new technologies but also experience and apply them first-hand through:

  • open labs and hands-on workshops
  • technology trainee programs
  • tailored consulting services
  • joint proofs of concept
  • demonstrations and real-world testing
  • user dialogues, webinars and specialist events
  • blueprints for recurring use cases
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  • MOTIONS is a publicly funded application center for smart connectivity in automated manufacturing and intralogistics. It supports companies in evaluating, testing and transferring communication, localization, sensing, security and data integration technologies into practice for specific industrial applications.

  • The availability of new technologies alone is not enough. Implementing them in existing manufacturing and logistics environments remains challenging. Companies need to determine which solution is best suited to their processes, how different systems can work together and whether the expected benefits justify the effort involved.

    MOTIONS combines technological expertise, realistic test environments, training and technology transfer. This enables companies to examine potential solutions before making substantial investments in infrastructure, components or software.

  • MOTIONS is being established as part of the InnoNT+: Smart Connectivity for Business and Industry funding program and works closely with the Competence Center for Smart Connectivity (KSK).

    As an industry-specific application center, MOTIONS brings together the testing and technology transfer expertise of Fraunhofer IIS with companies, technology providers, system integrators, industry associations, training partners and other stakeholders from industry.

    The publicly funded project aims to accelerate the transfer of smart connectivity solutions into manufacturing and intralogistics.

  • MOTIONS is aimed at companies operating in production, manufacturing and intralogistics. It is particularly relevant to small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups, but also addresses technology providers, equipment suppliers and system integrators.

  • No. MOTIONS evaluates technologies independently of specific vendors and with a focus on the respective application. The starting point is your specific challenge, such as mobile robotics, localization, real-time communication or data integration.

  • No. MOTIONS aims to objectively evaluate suitable technologies, components and architectures for each use case and to support companies in transferring them into practical applications.

  • Companies, technology providers and system integrators can integrate their own components and solutions into the MOTIONS test environments. The technical integration and an appropriate test setup are agreed jointly in advance.

  • Depending on the scope of the collaboration, the results may include measurement and test results, technology and cost-effectiveness assessments, proofs of concept, pilot concepts or transferable blueprints.

  • The process begins with a brief description of your challenge or use case. Together, we then determine the relevant questions, the appropriate test environment and the most suitable form of collaboration.

    MOTIONS supports you in evaluating wireless communication, localization, sensing and data integration technologies for your specific applications independently of particular vendors, testing them under realistic conditions and implementing them on a sound economic basis.

    Use our contact form to briefly describe your current situation, objectives and the systems involved. Together, we will identify a suitable first step.

    • Make investment decisions with greater confidence: Evaluate and test technologies and potential solutions before large-scale implementation.
    • Make vendor-independent decisions: Compare 5G, Wi-Fi, UWB and other technologies based on the requirements of the application.
    • Assess interoperability: Test how systems, components and wireless technologies work together.
    • Build expertise: Involve employees through open labs, workshops and application-oriented training.
    • Develop transferable solutions: Turn findings into proofs of concept, pilot projects and reusable blueprints.

From Challenge to Practical Solution

Manufacturing and intralogistics are changing. Machines, robots, mobile systems, sensors and digital services need to work together flexibly. At the same time, requirements relating to availability, response times, security and data sovereignty are increasing. MOTIONS therefore looks beyond individual wireless technologies. We analyze how communication, localization, sensing, security and data integration interact throughout your value chain.

© Fraunhofer IIS, Foto: BLEND3 Frank Grätz

Wir  starten immer mit Ihrem konkreten Prozess – nicht mit einer vorgegebenen Technologie.

Understanding Your Requirements

Together, we analyze your specific challenge: Which processes need automation, connectivity or greater transparency? What must the technologies deliver? Your experience matters. Contribute your perspective to our current surveys.

Evaluating Potential Solutions

We evaluate suitable technologies and architectures from both a technical and an economic perspective. This also includes assessing interfaces, interoperability, scalability and data sovereignty.

Testing under Real-World Conditions

Solutions are tested in the MOTIONS test environments or directly at your company using mobile test setups. This makes it possible to identify risks, limitations and potential at an early stage.

Preparing Pilot Projects and Transferring Knowledge

The findings are incorporated into proofs of concept, pilot projects and transferable blueprints. The aim is to develop a solution that meets the requirements of your processes, resources and economic framework.

Contact Us

MOTIONS supports you in understanding and evaluating smart connectivity and successfully transferring it into practical applications. Talk to us about your ideas and challenges.

Six Key Areas of Smart Connectivity

Not every application requires all six areas. MOTIONS combines the elements that are relevant to your specific use case.

Real-Time Information

Reliable and predictable communication provides the foundation for flexible automation, mobile robotics and connected machines. MOTIONS examines latency, availability, time synchronization, data prioritization and interoperable communication architectures.

Coexistence and Sensing

Multiple wireless systems frequently operate in parallel in manufacturing and logistics environments. MOTIONS examines how these systems can operate alongside one another with minimal interference and combines wireless, localization and sensor data to create a reliable overview of the operating environment.

Security and Data Sovereignty

As machines, operational technology components and cloud services become increasingly connected, the potential attack surface expands. MOTIONS supports the technical evaluation of security concepts and data sovereignty requirements, as well as the secure integration of IT and OT systems.

Shared Safety

People, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), automated guided vehicles (AGVs), robots and stationary equipment increasingly operate in shared environments. MOTIONS examines wireless and cross-device approaches to adaptive safety concepts in manufacturing and intralogistics.

MultiRAT

A single wireless technology is often not sufficient. MOTIONS examines the coordinated use of 5G, Wi-Fi, UWB and other technologies, enabling each application to use the most suitable connection.

Data-Centric Connectivity

Machine, process, position and network data are combined to reveal interdependencies, identify bottlenecks at an early stage and enable data-driven optimization.

Testing Wherever It Is Needed

MOTIONS builds on the existing test and application environments of Fraunhofer IIS. Companies can experience, compare and test technologies under realistic conditions.

L.I.N.K. Test and Application Center in Nuremberg

The L.I.N.K. Test and Application Center provides approximately 1,400 square meters of indoor space and 10,000 square meters of outdoor space for intralogistics, positioning, radio sensing and wireless connectivity. Available technologies include 5G Open RAN, Wi-Fi, indoor localization and a range of other wireless IoT technologies.

Dresden Demonstration Production Facility

The Dresden Demonstration Production Facility represents a realistic production chain encompassing manufacturing, intralogistics, robot-assisted assembly and AI-assisted quality inspection. This environment makes it possible to examine how automation and safety concepts interact.

Laboratories in Erlangen and Mobile Test Setups

Specialized laboratories and mobile 5G and localization solutions are also available, including the Mobile Campus Network and the Nomadic 5G Positioning Testbed. Mobile communication and localization systems enable testing directly in existing manufacturing and logistics environments. This allows actual spatial, technical and organizational conditions to be taken into account.

Across three locations in Erlangen, Nuremberg and Dresden, MOTIONS combines technological expertise with realistic test environments to bring smart connectivity into industrial practice.

Collaboration Tailored to Your Company

MOTIONS is an open application center. Companies can participate in different ways depending on their starting point, level of digitalization and the maturity of their application. Co-creation is a key element of MOTIONS. Companies can contribute challenges, use cases and technologies and work with the MOTIONS team to develop, evaluate and test new approaches.

Contributors of Requirements and Ideas

You contribute specific challenges from manufacturing or intralogistics and help identify relevant use cases, demonstrators and testing formats.

Application and Pilot Partners

You help shape use cases, proofs of concept and pilot projects by contributing your processes, requirements and experience to the joint development process.

Technology Providers and System Integrators

You can contribute components, systems and solutions to test environments and demonstrators and evaluate their interoperability and benefits together with industrial users.

Network and Training Partners

You help design workshops, open labs, training courses and technology transfer activities, supporting the transfer of knowledge into industrial practice.