NEXT.IN.NRW innovation competition

The aim is to automate the morphological characterization of semi-solid and powder formulations in the pharmaceutical industry, enabling reduced effort and more precise analyses. To this end, the transfer of machine learning object recognition to the field of microscopy is to be developed as software to automate the annotation of light microscopic data.

The aim of the project is to provide public service companies with data-driven services for sustainable public value creation. To this end, use cases are analyzed in order to subsequently develop AI artefacts.

The aim of the project is to develop two prototypes that exemplify the potential offered by the concept of augmented reality city center zones. These are intended to expand physical city centers with digital content and cultural offerings and transform them from consumer spaces into hybrid social meeting spaces.

The aim of the project is to facilitate the secure use of Ethernet-based communication in vehicles by optimizing the selection of various Ethernet cybersecurity measures and the testing of the MAC Security security protocol through automated tool support.

The aim of the project is to simplify the use and integration of artificial intelligence into existing processes for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), taking ecological aspects into account, in order to both increase efficiency and optimize the use of resources. To this end, automated AI process steps are being further developed, with digital twins and 5G enabling real simulations.

The aim of the project is to develop a software application for the intelligent and resource-saving configuration and use of filling systems. To this end, generative AI models are being used to develop a software demonstrator that enables both plant manufacturers and operators to derive configurations by entering material properties and requirements.

The aim of the project is to develop a construction plan for an event stage made from discarded rotor blades from a wind turbine. The stage is to provide a roof, technology, lighting and storage space and have a self-sufficient energy supply thanks to built-in lithium-ion batteries.

The aim of the project is to establish an AI-based process control system at the interface between the OR (surgery and anesthesia), OR management and the reprocessing unit for medical devices (AEMP). This is intended to bridge the dynamic interactions that are part of everyday life in the OR and ensure that sterile supplies are available as required in real time.

The aim of the project is to develop a real-world metaverse that enables creative professionals to create interactive points of interest (iPoI) without programming knowledge and embed them in their physical environment. Various media formats such as augmented reality, 3D audio, chatbots and virtual agents are to be integrated to enable diverse and interactive user experiences.

The aim of the project is the conception and prototypical development of an AI-based and XR-capable software platform for the film industry. This will allow AI-supported visualizations of script scenes to be generated using avatars during the pre-visualization phase of film production. The platform will also include collaborative functions that enable the various actors involved in film production to work together in real time.

The aim of the project is to identify and implement methods that enable a more accurate reconstruction of 3D models from two-dimensional media. It also aims to research and develop machine learning methods for detecting anomalies and errors in the reconstructed 3D objects.

The aim of the project is to develop digital tools for the event industry that use intelligent algorithms, simulation options and visualizations to support responsible stakeholders in implementing a gender- and age-appropriate design of the industry.

The aim of the project is to maximize the density and quality of substitution in youth and social welfare facilities in the context of school support by making school support, deployment and substitution plans plannable on a daily and forward-looking basis using AI. To this end, an automated and self-optimizing substitution management system is being developed that assigns unaccompanied pupils to available staff.

The aim of the project is to develop an AI prototype that makes it possible to make an innovative, highly complex manufacturing process accessible to a wide range of industrial users. In addition to process design, novel AI methods will also support users in the computer-aided manufacturing environment in order to overcome previous limitations in the different nature of a beam tool and catch up with modern industry standards.

The aim of the project is the consistent and standardized digitalization of building permit procedures. Artificial intelligence will be used to pre-check building applications and thus speed up the entire approval process. To this end, process diagrams are to be developed and improved using AI tools. The resulting process diagrams, data models and interfaces/software will serve as the basis for market-ready software developments.

The aim of the project is to overcome infrastructural bottlenecks in North Rhine-Westphalia by integrating AI, deep learning and population-based optimization approaches into an automated drone airline in a multimodal logistics network. To this end, methods are to be developed that optimize the real-time placement of transfer stations in a multimodal logistics network with drones.

The aim of the project is to improve the development of resilient software products by developing guidelines for increasing cyber security and improving existing security tools.

The aim of the project is to transfer self-monitored learning for diagnosis and prediction in the monitoring of machining processes based on industrial sensor data. To this end, the focus is on energy-optimized, self-monitored processes for universal use in embedded systems. In addition, the potential for an overall increase in resource efficiency in end applications is to be demonstrated.

By linking the METIS project with other chemical AI models and smart algorithms, this project aims to create a digital AI assistant. This will allow users to interact directly with the AI and be involved in the process. Existing knowledge and new ideas can be incorporated into the software and evaluation via interfaces and feedback loops.

The project aims to research the possible applications of artificial intelligence using scenarios and to develop software systems and sensible business models.

The aim of the project is to develop an AI-supported feedback tool for lower secondary schools that provides personalized feedback when working on math problems. ASSIST-ME will be designed in such a way that students can use it intuitively and autonomously.

The aim of the project is the conception and prototypical development of a web platform that provides digital, three-dimensional locations as a kind of showcase for virtual tours or the completion of film sequences. AI will be used to investigate how a large number of locations can be prepared digitally and efficiently to facilitate planning processes.

The project is creating an augmented reality tool that will enable online communities to create digital content together. This content can then be made public in the form of collaborative art installations. The results of the project are to be presented at the International Garden Exhibition IGA2027 in 2027. The project aims to help involve citizens more closely in publicly relevant topics.

The project aims to revolutionize the creation of animated avatars for 3D applications by making this process easier, more efficient and more cost-effective through the use of the key technology generative AI. Using text prompts, sketches and videos, animation sequences can be created and then edited, opening up this technology to a wider user base and creating new market opportunities.

In this project, artificial intelligence is to be used to speed up and simplify time-consuming maintenance work. Together with partners from mechanical engineering and industry, a special system is being developed that collects and organizes specialist knowledge relating to maintenance and makes it available at the touch of a button. A total of 16 partners from business, science and important associations are involved in the project.

Cloud services play a key role in a digitalized world and offer companies the opportunity to store data flexibly and access IT resources efficiently. However, these solutions are often difficult to access, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises: a lack of time and technical knowledge mean that they are reluctant to make use of the opportunities offered by the cloud. The project aims to remedy this situation and support companies with a special framework - a so-called cloud governance framework. This should help to combine different cloud services securely and easily with one another and manage them optimally.

The aim of the project is to develop an innovative method for the early detection and control of bark beetle infestation. The plan is to use multispectral cameras on drones, combined with 3D mapping, artificial intelligence and the simulation of forest damage spread scenarios. This enables the early identification of infested trees and allows continuous, precise monitoring and analysis of the condition of the forest, enabling proactive measures to be taken.

The aim of the project is to create a virtual environment in which historical clothing can be displayed and experienced in a lifelike way - without endangering the delicate originals. With the help of artificial intelligence, the garments are digitized and animated in such a way that they react realistically to movements. This technology could be used in films or video games to depict the clothing authentically and with great attention to detail.

The aim of the project is to tag objects with RFID (radio frequency identification) in order to uniquely identify them and locate them precisely in three-dimensional space. This technology could make it possible to seamlessly integrate objects and their information into virtual environments such as the Metaverse by making them tangible through extended reality (XR) technologies. Four test scenarios are planned in the fields of education, retail, medicine and gaming to demonstrate how this technology can be used in the real world.

This project aims to investigate artificial intelligence methods that support or automate individual development processes. The aim is to increase the efficiency and quality of development.

The project is committed to ensuring that language models (large language models) are used in industry in a reliable, environmentally friendly and legally compliant manner. These models are a form of artificial intelligence that is capable of understanding and generating texts. The project focuses particularly on platforms that are used in areas such as service and support for workers in industry.

The KoWima project aims to investigate how company data from multimedia sources can be searched and made available as required. KoWima is developing a system based on artificial intelligence that enables the semi-automated classification of existing conversations so that employees do not have to invest any additional effort in maintaining knowledge management data.

The aim of the project is to develop a new type of architecture for robot vision and AI cyber security for the digitalization and sustainable transformation of manufacturing and production processes in the forming and stamping industry using the example of the production of car seat rails. The aim is to create a resource-efficient and sustainable production chain with minimal waste and wear and tear.

With the help of AI-supported processes and language models, a system is to be developed that automatically identifies infringements of intellectual property rights. The model also helps companies to avoid unintentional infringements. Socially, the project helps to reduce the economic damage caused by product piracy, generate licensing income and promote patent applications by German SMEs by making the protective effect more visible.

The project pursues two approaches. The first approach, electrolyte engineering, focuses on the development of optimal electrolyte formulations that lead to improved battery performance. The second approach, electrolyte design, aims to develop new electrolyte components with innovative chemistry to improve the relevant physico-chemical properties.

The aim of the project is to develop an AI-supported method for identifying bison using visual, natural differences. To this end, the neural network will learn individual-specific facial features and other characteristics in order to differentiate between individuals.

The aim of the project is to develop an innovative mobile application that uses artificial intelligence and augmented reality to offer visitors a personalized and interactive experience in museums and other cultural institutions. The app will make it possible to recognize individual interests and preferences of users and create unique, tailor-made museum tours based on them. Museums can add their own content to the app and connect it to AI to dynamically guide visitors. In addition, users are given the opportunity to use their own virtual museum guide to select their preferences.

The project supports small and medium-sized companies in remaining competitive by using AI, in particular open source language models, for product development and marketing. An experimentation platform helps to determine the optimal model architecture for specific application areas. In addition, best practices will be developed to train more efficient, cost-effective models, adapt them flexibly and improve their reliability. This gives SMEs access to advanced AI, saves costs and enables them to implement more individual solutions.

The aim of MDQS is to develop a standardized, secure and AI-supported transaction system that offers creative professionals more reliability and transparency in the transmission of licensing-relevant data. This should make the transmission and billing of license fees, for example by streaming services, more comprehensible. The prototype of the transaction system is to be developed using data from the music industry.

Optical sensors will help to enable AI methods in three different use cases in different domains - for example in medicine, but also in the automotive and construction industries. The trained models should recognize the diagnosable conditions in the respective use cases, such as scratches in the paint, irregularities of a birthmark on the skin or porous masonry.

Together with the creative industries, science, the tourism industry, society and interdisciplinary experts, the project participants are developing the prototype of a web-based game that will link aspects of urban development, culture and sustainability in new ways.

In the project, AI methods from the field of machine learning will be used to analyze cut surfaces of logs and identify various characteristics that have a direct influence on the quality classification of the wood. The project is particularly concerned with beech wood.

The research project aims to develop an AI-supported planning solution that is specifically tailored to the needs of small and medium-sized companies. To this end, prediction models based on probabilities are combined with software that can respond flexibly to individual priorities. The solution is intended to help reduce stock levels and improve the reliability of deliveries at the same time.