From mechanical engineering to a learning production system

Print Solutions

Durst Group and TUM Venture Labs, a joint initiative of the Technical University of Munich and UnternehmerTUM, are launching a multi-year collaboration in the field of robotics, AI and automation for industrial production.

As a platinum partner, Durst becomes part of the TUM Venture Labs ecosystem and the first Italian partner in this network. At the centre of the collaboration is the Robotics/AI Lab in Munich, one of Europe’s leading deep tech ecosystems for robotics, artificial intelligence, embedded systems and industrial automation. For Durst, the engagement is part of the company’s 90th anniversary programme and a deliberate step from Brixen into the European robotics and AI network.

With Kyveris, Durst is building an intelligent production system that connects machines, software, data and artificial intelligence. The AuRo-Layer extends this system to the physical level of production: robotics, material flow and increasingly autonomous processes on the production floor. The goal is production that operates more efficiently, transparently and reproducibly.

‘Isolated machines are yesterday’s model. Production is becoming connected, learning and autonomous,’ said Christoph Gamper, CEO and co-owner of Durst Group. ‘With Kyveris, we are building the system for this. Munich is no coincidence for us. This is where talents turn research into products in short cycles. This is exactly the energy we are looking for.’

‘Robotics and AI unfold their potential where they meet real industrial challenges,’ said Dr Philipp Gerbert, CEO of TUM Venture Labs. ‘The partnership with Durst combines technological excellence, entrepreneurship and concrete application. This creates a strong environment for new automation solutions around digital production.’

Within TUM Venture Labs, the Robotics/AI Lab in Munich bundles expertise in robotics, artificial intelligence, embedded systems and industrial automation. For Durst, this creates a new interface with young companies, researchers, students and industry partners working on solutions for intelligent robotics, autonomous systems, human robot interaction, industrial automation, simulation, embedded AI, physical AI and digital twins.

At the centre of the collaboration are regular expert exchange, concrete industry challenges and the joint development of entrepreneurship and innovation formats. Durst contributes real production related challenges where automation, robotics, AI based process control and physical workflows converge. The resulting solutions are intended not only for the printing industry, but also for adjacent and cross-industry applications.

‘Robotics and AI are changing production. That much is clear. The only open question is the speed,’ Christoph Gamper continued. ‘This requires new forms of collaboration: industry, research, start ups and talents at one table. Durst is not taking this path because it is a trend, but because 90 years of mechanical engineering only matter if you build the next step yourself.’