Study Kick-Off Meeting

To mark the start of an eventful research year, this year’s Study Kickoff event will be held on the morning of February 18, 2026. Through inspiring discussions, insightful feedback, and collective commitment, we aim to maximize the impact of our five upcoming studies. These studies cover a range of innovative topics:

• Agentic AI – Revolutionizing Production and Business Operations The goal is to establish a roadmap for deploying autonomous AI systems to optimize industrial workflows and business processes with minimal human intervention.
• Applying Humanoid Robots to Manufacturing – Functional Evaluation and Use Case Identification This study evaluates the readiness of humanoid robots for manufacturing environments, prioritizing specific use cases and defining the necessary digital infrastructure.
• Assessing the Potential of Virtual PLC (vPLC) – Business Models and Validation We analyze how virtual controllers (vPLCs) overcome hardware limitations to create new business models and economic value for both customers and vendors through increased flexibility.
• Monitoring & Retraining of AI in Production – Successfully Operating AI for Quality Control in the Long Term We examine the continuous monitoring and optimization of AI systems in quality assurance to ensure long-term benefits in terms of cost, quality, and time efficiency.
• Security Measures in Industrial Automation Systems – Collaborative Study for Industrial Security and Compliance This study investigates the selection and implementation of specific OT security measures for industrial automation, aiming to enhance threat protection without sacrificing performance while evaluating economic value for operators and manufacturers.

The research will be conducted and refined across three distinct phases. Interim results will be presented and developed during our Spring, Summer, and Autumn Meetings. We look forward to sharing the final outcomes with you at the Closing Meeting in December!