Insight into the world of robotics and automation – excursion to Japan
From November 27 to December 1, Martin Schöne, our Head of Logistics and Factory Planning, had the opportunity to take part in the German-Japanese Robotics Symposium in Tokyo. The event was organized by Germany Trade & Invest and Wirtschaftsförderung Sachsen GmbH and hosted by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry Japan. During these intensive days, the focus was on exchanging experiences and exploring automation technologies.
Different worlds of automation in Germany and Japan
In Germany, automation is often associated with the pursuit of efficiency and cost savings, often in connection with job losses. In Japan, on the other hand, the focus is on demographic change. A shrinking population and the rising proportion of older people have prompted Japan to increasingly rely on automated solutions to overcome the challenges of labor shortages.
Martin had the opportunity to talk to representatives from Japanese industry and academia and gain an in-depth insight into their approaches and solutions for dealing with automation.
Company visits to CYBERDYNE INC. and Doog Inc. & Doog International Pte Ltd
Another point of the trip was the company visits to CYBERDYNE INC. and Doog Inc. & Doog International Pte Ltd. Both companies specialize in innovative automation solutions. CYBERDYNE INC. is known for its exoskeleton technology, which is used not only in industrial production but also in medicine. This illustrates how diverse and cross-industry automation solutions can be used.
On tour through Tokyo: High-Tech-Abenteuer im Tokyo Institute of Technology und National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology!
The trip also included institutional visits to the Tokyo Institute of Technology and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. Here it was possible to gain in-depth insights into the research and development of automated technologies. Cooperation between science and industry plays a central role in Japan and enables the development of innovative solutions.
Short presentations were also on the agenda
During the symposium, there were numerous short presentations highlighting various aspects of automation and robotics. Martin also had the opportunity to give a presentation on the handling of heavy-duty components in railroad maintenance. He also presented his experiences from the ongoing joint project “New Cottbus Plant” of Deutsche Bahn AG.
The Saxon delegation
In addition to Martin, the Saxon delegation included Andreas Lippert from the Saxony Economic Development Corporation, Fumihiro Asano, Oliver Michler from TU Dresden, Prof. Dr. Dagmar Gesmann-Nuissl and Armin Schleinitz from TU Chemnitz, Oliver Koehn from VDMA, Martin Hiersemann from Hiersemann Prozessautomation and Dirk Mayer from the Fraunhofer Institute. The diverse group represented various industries and enabled a comprehensive exchange of experiences and perspectives.
Conclusion: An inspiring look beyond the horizon
Attending the symposium in Tokyo was an extremely enriching experience for Martin and the entire Saxon delegation. The intensive exchange with Japanese companies and institutions not only enabled them to gain valuable insights into the field of automation, but also to establish international networks.
This trip marks an important step in international cooperation and opens up new horizons for the further development of logistics and automation solutions. We are excited to see how the knowledge gained will be incorporated into the future design of our processes and look forward to deepening the contacts and ideas gained.