Research
Open Enterprise Labs - cutting-edge research for all
The award-winning Fraunhofer Enterprise Labs are heading for new shores: In "Open Enterprise Labs", several companies can now work on their future together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML.
The starting point is the idea that the challenges of our time can only be solved together. Artificial intelligence and decentralized systems require common languages and standardized interfaces to ensure collaboration across company boundaries. This is precisely where the Open Enterprise Labs format comes in: In it, Fraunhofer IML is developing open source solutions together with several industry partners - also to create industry-wide de facto standards.
Naturally, basic technologies and commodities are at the forefront of joint development. The aim is to find a way into new technologies or common standards - from the programming of uniform interfaces to a joint entry into artificial intelligence. "What companies need is developed in the Open Enterprise Labs. But only those who take part can also have a say in where the journey goes, or collect the information that is needed for further, possibly proprietary developments," says ten Hompel.
An Open Enterprise Lab runs for a period of three years and starts with at least three companies that are interested in developments in related topics or fields of application. The companies - primarily SMEs - define the technical requirements for an open source solution. The Fraunhofer IML manages and supports the process and takes on the development work. The solutions developed in the Open Enterprise Labs then form the basis for individual business models - with an open core. The format initially starts with a handful of research topics, including "Digital Product Passport", "LogOS" (Logistics Operating System) and "EfficientCargo".
You might also be interested in
Future Logistics Congress - 43rd Dortmund...
Simplifying logistics with AI
More than 350 participants will come together in Dortmund on September 9 and 10, 2025 for the 43rd Future Logistics Congress. This year, everything revolves around artificial intelligence (AI), resilience and sustainability. Speakers from science...
read more...Starting signal for open source: SKALA provides first components
The Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML has published open source components for logistics for the first time as part of the SKALA innovation project.
read more...Sustainability needs decisions
To mark Earth Day, Nagarro is calling for a rethink: sustainability should no longer be documented, but actively managed - with artificial intelligence as a central lever. Because AI brings light into the darkness of global supply chains.
read more...Kion significantly increases order intake
Kion holds its own in a difficult environment in 2025, increases order intake significantly and looks ahead to profitable growth in 2026 with a new segment name and efficiency gains.
read more...Agentic AI as a basis for success for start-ups
January 2026 started with a record for start-ups, with almost a third more start-ups being founded in Germany. With 3568 newly created companies, a new high was reached, as announced by the Start-up Association - also thanks to AI. Nico Gaviola, VP...
read more...Who will make it into the Logistics Hall of Fame 2026?
The Logistics Hall of Fame is entering a special election year: in 2026, several new members will be inducted by decision of the Council. Nominations are now open and the gala will return to Vienna in December.
read more...The finalists for the IFOY Award 2026 have been announced
The IFOY Award 2026 is entering the decisive phase: 17 devices and solutions from eight nations and four start-ups have made it to the final. The finalists will face the IFOY audit at the Test Camp Intralogistics in Dortmund in April.
read more...Start-ups from intralogistics and robotics...
Go-to-market program 2026: Test Camp as a partner
The 'Test Camp Intralogistics' is a partner of the market entry program of the Dortmund Economic Development Corporation 2026 and supports international scale-ups from the intralogistics and robotics sectors in entering the German market.
read more...Study on the working world of tomorrow
Merging technical skills and soft skills
AI is profoundly changing jobs, but at the same time it is making human skills indispensable. The new Skills Economy Report 2026 from SkyHive by Cornerstone shows that roles in the future will require technical skills and soft skills in equal...
read more...