The REFRESH project and Fraunhofer representatives meet to discuss next steps and collaboration

A key agenda item involved presenting the project's various living laboratories, followed by exploring potential connections.

"Colleagues at VSB – Technical University of Ostrava (VSB-TUO) have demonstrated an outstanding level of academic research in their projects and findings. Our shared goal is to identify research projects that directly benefit the industry. I view this collaboration as a promising opportunity, given our strong ideas, projects, and team dynamics," said Martin Dix, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology (Fraunhofer IWU), and a member of the Supervisory Group of the Fraunhofer Innovation Platform at VSB-TUO (FIP-AI@VSB-TUO).

Igor Ivan, Director of REFRESH and Vice-Rector for Strategy and Cooperation at VSB-TUO, described the meeting, which took place at the Centre for Energy and Environmental Technologies, as very beneficial. "We are expanding cooperation across living labs, and I am therefore pleased that, thanks to our Fraunhofer Innovation Platform's Management, we were able to organise this in-person meeting now at the start of the project. The meeting resulted in specific plans for the continuation of the partnership, which I find particularly encouraging," said Ivan.

Scientific directors Stanislav Mišák, overseeing the Energy Lab, and Petr Šimoník, in charge of the Industry 4.0 & Automotive Lab, showcased their respective living labs. Representation for the Materials & Environment Lab was provided by Štěpán Kment.

The REFRESH project is based on a unique concept of interconnected living laboratories that conduct cutting-edge research in direct collaboration with companies and are tailored to the needs of end-users. Based on this approach, VSB-TUO and the Moravian-Silesian Innovation Centre, with the support of the leadership of the Moravian-Silesian Region, have developed a strategic vision for the transformation of the region called SMARAGD (SMARt And Green District).

Text: Martina Šaradínová

Photo: Petr Havlíček