B+T presents Innovation Award 2025 to the TU Chemnitz

At a ceremony at Chemnitz University of Technology, Frank Benner (shareholder and CEO) and Sarah Benner (shareholder) presented the Innovation Award 2025 on behalf of the B+T Group to Prof. Dr. Thomas Lampke's Chair of Materials and Surface Technology (WOT) at the Institute of Materials Science and Technology in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Chemnitz University of Technology. In particular, the work of the Human-Cyber-Physical Systems (HCPS) department headed by Dr. habil Franziska Bocklisch was honored. The award recognizes the excellent research and teaching of Prof. Dr. Lampke and Dr. Bocklisch and their entire team. Their interdisciplinary HCPS concept links people in their various roles in the production process (human) with AI modelling and digitalization (cyber systems) and aligns these with specific manufacturing technologies and production systems (physical systems). This results in innovative approaches for human-centered Industry 5.0 - a concept in which sustainability and the preservation and support of human decision-making skills are at the heart of industrial production.

HCPS research as a strategic element for digital transformation

Prof. Dr. Thomas von Unwerth, Vice-Rector for Transfer and Continuing Education and holder of the Chair of Alternative Vehicle Drives, Prof. Dr. Alexander Hasse, Vice-Dean for Research at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and holder of the Chair of Machine Elements and Product Development, Paulin Wels (HCPS/WOT department), Dr. Roy Morgenstern (Chemical and Galvanic Surface Technology/WOT department) and Sigrid Frey (Marketing/Communication B+T) also attended the ceremony. Prof. Dr. von Unwerth emphasized the importance of transdisciplinary work at Chemnitz University of Technology and the challenge of transferring research results from the campus and city laboratory environment to industry and society - the university currently cooperates with around 170 companies. Last but not least, this transfer is successful thanks to the integration of human and social science aspects into the technical sciences, which also take into account and promote the social acceptance of new technologies. Prof. Dr. Hasse, Vice Dean for Research at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, welcomed the award for his colleagues at the WOT, who are doing pioneering work in the "People and Technology" profile line at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Together with the Vice-Rector and the award winners, he was delighted with this special recognition. The Innovation Award 2025 sends a clear signal: human-centric digitalization is a decisive competitive factor. The B+T Group sees HCPS research as a strategic element for digital transformation and the long-term competitiveness of the German manufacturing industry.