The Robotics Park at A+A 2021: Experience, understand and try out technology

(Foto: Messe Düsseldorf, Constanze Tillmann) / (Photo: Messe Düsseldorf, Constanze Tillmann)

(Foto: Messe Düsseldorf, Constanze Tillmann) / (Photo: Messe Düsseldorf, Constanze Tillmann)

- Focal theme digitalisation: the segments at A+A
- Young and innovative – the START-UP ZONE
- Cutting edge: web session “Exo-Skeletons” on 1 June

At A+A 2021 you can count on the full support of machines when safety and health at work are at stake. This year’s topical theme “Digitalisation” is also reflected by the Special Area of the Robotics Park. At this Special Area, the associated Selfexperience Space and at the Exoworkathlon, numerous exhibitors, the Fraunhofer IPA Institute and the University of Stuttgart IFF will present how physical burdens on employees can be reduced and productivity increased at the same time. The exoskeletons on show there protect the health of employees and reduce the burden of physically demanding work. The Ottobock company offers an adequate solution with its Paexo series. “Our exoskeletons store the body's own energy for a short time through so-called "energy harvesting" and release it again in a targeted manner when peak loads are reached for the spine or shoulder at work. This principle is reflected in our Paexo Back and Paexo Shoulder and is our answer to the main cause of musculoskeletal disorders,” says Dr. Sönke Rössing, Head of Ottobock Industrials.

Robotics Park & Selfexperience Space: see prevention at work

At the Robotics Park the producers of exoskeletons are presented along with the Fraunhofer IPA Institute, showing how these technologies can assist physically demanding activities or non-ergonomic working postures. At the adjacent Selfexperience Space exhibitors can also showcase their innovations in operation. Three simulated working situations selected by experts and of relevance for industrial exoskeletons will be made available to the public.

The three concourses are: Logistics, Assembly and Welding. The concourses were designed by Fraunhofer IPA and the University of Stuttgart IFF and can be used by exhibitors and customers to try out the various exoskeletons. "With the Selfexperience Space, we want to show that industrial exoskeletons are fascinating new devices. They are being developed and used to support physical work," says Dr. Urs Schneider of Fraunhofer IPA.

EXOWORKATHLON: live study on load control

As an additional feature of the Robotics Park, Fraunhofer IPA and the University of Stuttgart IFF will organise the EXOWORKATHLON. Here another concourse will be installed that young subjects (apprentices and technical college students) will complete with and without exoskeletons. Various jobs will be performed with a view to demonstrating and discussing functionalities in terms of user feedback, ergonomics, metabolism and production quality of exoskeletons.

TART-UP ZONE – young and innovative companies in focus

At the special START-UP ZONE young and innovative companies from all over the world will be in the limelight. Firms established less than five years ago can still secure a place for themselves with a view to meeting the top decision-makers in occupational safety and health along with experts and figures from business, research and policy-making. 

A place in the international START-UP ZONE comes with a number of perks included: such as attractive stand design and inclusion in the marketing measures promoting the START-UP ZONE, to name but two.

BMWi: financial support for German start-ups

In addition to this, German start-ups are once again eligible for the grant scheme offered by the Federal Ministry for Economics and Energy (BMWi) in 2021. The BMWi will then reimburse them for up to 60% of the costs for exhibiting at A+A.
To be eligible the start-ups have to be around for less than ten years, submit new ideas in the core segments of the trade fair or improvements of existing solutions, employ less than 50 staff and be headquartered in Germany.

A+A Connected: web session on exo-skeletons on 1 June

Even before the start of A+A in autumn, automation and robotics will be centre stage at a new digital event. The web session “Industrial Exo-Skeletons: Ergonomic Benefits for the Work of the Future” will provide valuable insights from various perspectives: science and research, industry and end users will present the wide panoply of possibilities open to the industry in future. The online web session will take place on 1 June 2021 from 10.00 am – 12.00 noon. Dr. Urs Schneider, Head of the Institute for Production Technology and Automation at Fraunhofer will host the session. Speakers will include inter alia Verena Kopp, Fraunhofer IPA, Team WearRAcon Stuttgart, Dr. Sascha Wischniewski, Head of the expert group Human Factors and Ergonomics at the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) as well as David Duwe, Head of Sales at Ottobock, one of the market leaders in exoskeletons.  Tickets are available from the A+A ticket shop with immediate effect. The conference language is English.