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AI as a Transformer – DFKI at the Hannover Messe trade fair

By 2030, artificial intelligence is projected to generate ten percent of economic value. However, moving from research labs to factories, clinics, and control centers remains the biggest challenge. At Hannover Messe 2026, from April 20 to 24, the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) will showcase how this transition can be achieved.

At the DFKI booth in Hall 11 and at partner booths, the center will highlight practical projects that demonstrate the shift from research to industrial use.

DFKI will showcase how modern AI methods can be applied across various fields. Intelligent robotic systems will support resource extraction on the moon and simulate weightlessness, proving their usefulness in industrial logistics. As assistance and decision-support systems, AI technologies are effective in many areas – from medical diagnostics and treatment to operational management decisions and legal contract review. Additionally, AI optimizes complex processes as a process modeler – such as in mid-sized manufacturing companies or hospital emergency rooms – contributing to greater efficiency, transparency, and quality assurance.

Our field of innovations:

Trusted AI for Critical Domains

Trusted AI makes AI auditable, robust, and certifiable – for autonomous systems, critical infrastructure, and industrial processes.

DFKI develops methods and standards that integrate security, explainability, and sovereignty.

Space AI: Autonomy beyond Earth

AI realizes its full potential in space travel: autonomous robotics, real-time data analysis, and mission control.

DFKI solutions for Earth observation and extraterrestrial exploration can be seamlessly applied to terrestrial challenges.
 

AI in Healthcare: From Data to Therapies

Health AI is revolutionizing diagnostics, personalized medicine, and hospital management.

DFKI combines image processing, signal analysis, and clinical expertise to enable more efficient care and life-saving pattern recognition.
 

Visit us at Hall 11, Stand B30, and join us in working toward a future where technological excellence and social responsibility go hand in hand.

Talks

Exhibits at the DFKI stand

  1. DISCO Box – Data-driven Decision Tool for AI Portfolios

    Halle 11, Stand B30
  2. Human-robot collaboration in goods logistics

    Halle 11, Stand B30
  3. Explainable AI for Safe Navigation

    Halle 11, Stand B30
  1. Valdemar – Intelligent Agricultural Robotics

    Halle 11, B30
  2. EINHORN – Dialogue-oriented explainable AI

    Halle 11, B30
  3. KiCoPro – Improve and simplify process modeling with AI

    Halle 11, B30
  1. Coyote III – Resource extraction on the moon

    Halle 11, Stand B30
  2. Robotics and AI – Exoskeletons for space and everyday life

    Hall 11, Stand B30
  1. OphthalmoCDSS – AI for Ophthalmology

    Halle 11, Stand B30
  2. MedGenAI: Synthetic medical images for fair AI

    Hall 11, Stand B30
  3. © DFKI / Jimmy Liu

    AI-based process optimization in the emergency room

    Hall 11, Stand B30

Exhibits at joint stands

  1. LegalEyes: Transparent AI for legal texts and compliance

    Hall 11, C30, Rhineland-Palatinate Stand
  2. DTs and WBANs in the health sector

    Hall 26, Stand G06

Talks

Monday, 20.04.2026 | 16:00 - 16:20 (MESZ) | Hall 11, Stand B69, Expert Stage

“AI Gigafactories: Strong Infrastructure, Strong Industry. The Path to Technological Sovereignty”

Speaker: Prof. Dr. Antonio Krüger (CEO, DFKI)

Europe is facing a decisive turning point: without substantial investments in AI infrastructure and high-performance computing, growth and innovation will stall. Why giga-factories are more than just large server halls, what benefits they bring to the German economy – and why research, industry, and policymakers must now act together.

Wednesday, 22.04.2026 | 10:25 - 10:45 (MESZ) | Hall 11, Stand B69, Expert Stage

“Trusted AI as a Key to Europe’s Digital Sovereignty”

Speaker: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Philipp Slusallek (Executive Director, DFKI Saarbrücken)

Trustworthy artificial intelligence is a key enabler of Europe’s digital sovereignty. But how can AI be designed to be powerful and secure while also staying transparent and ethically responsible? The “Trusted AI” approach shows how AI systems can be built to be trustworthy from the beginning and tested in real-world situations – allowing reliable use in critical domains and responsible AI use in enterprises.

Wednesday, 22.04.2026 | 12:05 - 12:25 (MESZ) | Hall 11, Stand B69, Expert Stage

“Space AI: Mobile Robots for Operations on Extraterrestrial Bodies and in Orbit”

Speaker: Dr.-Ing. Daniel Kühn (Robotics Innovation Center, DFKI)

Autonomous mobile robots are fundamentally transforming space exploration. Driven by artificial intelligence, they independently explore extraterrestrial surfaces and orbital zones, assess their environment, and carry out complex tasks in extreme conditions. These advancements not only open new possibilities for space missions but also stimulate innovation in maritime applications, search-and-rescue efforts, and rehabilitation. 

Thursday, 23.04.2026 | 13:20 - 13:40 (MESZ) | Hall 11, Stand B69, Expert Stage

“Physical AI: Intelligent Systems for Individual Rehabilitation and Healthcare”

Speaker: Prof. Dr. Elsa Andrea Kirchner (Team Leader Intelligent Healthcare Systems DFKI)

Intelligent robotic systems and AI-supported assistance enable personalized therapy, more precise rehabilitation, and effective support in daily life and at work. Real-time biosignal analysis, adaptive exoskeletons, and advanced human–robot interaction facilitate efficient, ethical, and data-driven solutions for an aging society. Physical AI enhances autonomy, alleviates the workload of skilled professionals, and shapes the future of medicine.