Open Lab + Open Source = Added Value for Everyone

It’s a simple equation, but it will allow Fraunhofer IML to tackle the major problems of our time. Working together is the only way we can drive standardization to guarantee that interfaces are fit for application and based on a common language. Fraunhofer IML’s Open Labs have assembled partners from related fields and areas of application to work together on future-oriented open source solutions.

There’s a new offshoot springing from the tried-and-tested Fraunhofer Enterprise Labs research format. Since the Open Labs launched in 2024, researchers there have been breaking down the major trends of our time into a common language. Megatrends like artificial intelligence and decentralized systems can be overwhelming for individual players. However, Fraunhofer IML’s Open Labs offer a solution by fostering collaboration across company boundaries so that standardized interfaces are created in a common language – and this language goes by the name of open source. “Since 2013, the Fraunhofer Enterprise Labs have developed into a real success story. Winning the German Logistics Prize (Deutscher Logistik-Preis) in 2023 with our partner Dachser was a major accolade for this collaboration format. That’s why we are now consciously setting ourselves the goal of enabling multiple companies to become part of our cuttingedge research and development with comparatively low monetary investment. We want to encourage the industry to view logistics as a team sport,” said Prof. Michael ten Hompel, the former executive director of Fraunhofer IML, during his presentation on the format at LogiMAT 2024. A number of collaborative initiatives have now been established with at least three SMEs per focus area, primarily with the aim of developing or adapting solutions to fulfill certain basic functions. These initiatives are primarily focusing on developments that are needed across the entire industry, but that are not competitive differentiators. Instead, the resulting developments are intended to act as a freely available foundation for individual business models. Fraunhofer IML is directing and supporting the process in the individual focus areas, and at the end, the solutions will be made available in an open source format. The structure of the individual labs is always characterized by a certain level of flexibility and based on open, reciprocal discussions of results. The governance structure of each Open Lab is divided into three areas: First comes the steering committee, which is responsible for monitoring the strategic objectives and regularly evaluating the product vision and the milestone plan. Next, there is the working group, which develops the overall product vision and is responsible for publicly disseminating the solution. Lastly, the development team breaks down the specifications into individual development tasks and is responsible for actually developing the individual services, and publishing and maintaining them. At first glance, this may look like a lot of work for the stakeholders. However, in reality, it is a definite win for all involved, especially the SMEs, because they do not have to contribute their own development resources in any way, but rather act as drivers at a strategic and technical level. Fraunhofer IML provides the development team with know-how in the areas of open source solutions, development infrastructure and agile project management. Companies participating in the Open Labs have the opportunity not only to help shape the latest trends of our time, but also to get first call on using and adapting the results. In addition, the Open Source community is constantly changing. SMEs benefit not only from the expertise that the Open Labs have built up, but also from an entire community’s worth of support and advances.