Billions invested into IoT technology development in Dresden

Dresden has strengthened its ambition of becoming the leading centre for Internet of Things (IoT) solutions.

A host of international technology groups and research institutions such as Globalfoundries, Infineon, Bosch, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and the German Aerospace Center ("DLR") will be investing some 4.5 billion Euro in Europe's leading address for semiconductors.

According to the Mayor of Dresden, Dirk Hilbert, the funds will be used to promote the development and production of modern processors, sensors, 5G mobile communication modules and to develop new software tools and IoT platforms – the investments are the result of the systematic growth in the "Silicon Saxony" ecosystem.

"This will make Dresden a leading location world-wide for IoT enabling technologies," says Hilbert.

"Technologies and products that are used in IoT applications in industrial production, in new mobility solutions, in intelligent power grids or in the health-care sector, all come from Dresden.

Examples of these technologies include IoT optimised processors, microelectronic mechanical systems including sensors and actuators, embedded systems-on-chip, specialised micro-controllers and high-tech memory, power electronics, data transmission communications modules, technologies for energy harvesting, IT security and high-performance cloud computing or integration to create smart systems.

The Dresden-based companies and research institutions that make up the "Smart Systems Hub - Enabling IoT" is developing into a global digital centre.

In April 2017, Dresden and Leipzig were accorded the status as locations within the Federal Ministry of Economics' national digital hub concept. The objective of the two hubs is to connect scientists, manufacturers and users in a focused manner.

Together, the objective is to take advantage of the enormous market potential of the "Internet of Things" ("IoT") in order to make rural and urban infrastructure more intelligent and to continue successful economic growth as a dynamic location for start-ups.

According to the Smart Systems Hub – Enabling IoT, the group has its sights set on the integration of hardware, software and connectivity as the foundation for digital products and applications for the IoT.

The City of Dresden has dedicated staff to developing more efficient Hub structures and the Free State of Saxony is investing some EUR 100 million in this project.

"Science and business will work hand-in-hand here and will transition scientific results into economically viable business models and spin-offs in a targeted fashion," says Hilbert.

"Interested start-ups and technology groups may gain an overview of the broad range of offerings from participants in the Smart Systems Hub by means of so-called "Trails". This will help them navigate to where they may find their place and make a contribution.

Head of the Office of Business Development at the City of Dresden,' Robert Franke says no other region in Europe brings together such a comprehensive array of technology expertise for the purpose of developing industry-specific IoT solutions.

"Dresden brings together critical success factors needed to help industrial players advance digital transformation using IoT-based technologies in a single location," says Franke.

"We specifically promote innovative products and technologies in Dresden. Our desire is to help them launch commercially and to make them usable for the city as well.

For 2017, funds of at least EUR 350,000 are available for this purpose and development funds will total some EUR 500,000 next year.