ZEISS Innovation Hub at KIT

ZEISS Innovation Hub at KIT

Turning today’s research into tomorrow’s applications – together.

The Innovation Hub in Karlsruhe thrives on the pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit of its residents: young start-ups and established players. ZEISS shares the vision of shaping markets through technology-inspired innovation and the approach of working closely with partners to translate today’s research into tomorrow’s applications.

The focus is on three areas, on which work is being done with more than 30 partners. Together with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, the team conducts research projects, supervises theses, offers lectures, and operates a Makerspace.

The three focal areas

  • Nano micro photonics

    Integrated photonics and miniaturized sensors

    Micro- and nanofabrication enables the realization of many electronic and photonic components on a single chip or compact module. This not only reduces the size, cost and energy consumption of the systems, but also enables new functions that cannot be realized with discrete components. At the ZEISS Innovation Hub @ KIT, we are exploring the possibilities of this integrated optoelectronic approach, e.g. for compact sensor systems.

    Which areas are we contributing to?

    • PIC-based sensors
    • Optoelectronic distance sensor technology
    • Spectroscopy solutions
    • Cavity metrology

    What technologies are we using and developing?

    • Integrated photonics and electronics
    • Optoelectronic signal processing
    • 3D microprinting
    • Past and ongoing projects
    • Frequency-based photonic sensors
    • Multichannel spectroscopy
  • Sustainability & Circular Economy

    Sustainability & Circular Economy

    The future will not be livable unless we change the way we consume resources. We are working on a variety of ways to process materials in a circular economy – from forestry to plastic packaging to car batteries.

    What areas are we contributing to?

    • Solutions for end-of-life products (automatic disassembly, inspection, and reprocessing)
    • Solutions for material characterization and waste sorting

    What technologies are we using and developing?

    • Multi-sensor detection (spectroscopy, camera vision, and chemical tracing)
    • Intelligent process automation

    Past and ongoing projects

    • Sorting of separated polymer waste for high-purity recyclates
    • Detection of unwanted materials (e.g. flame retardants in electrical scrap)
    • Recycling of EV batteries
    • Sustainable forestry
  • Zeiss Kinveo 900

    Medical robotics and assistance systems

    Inspired by the needs of surgeons – which have so far been inadequately met – the medical robotics team of the ZEISS Innovation Hub @ KIT is developing assistance functions and systems, especially for ophthalmology. These systems improve perception and precision during challenging surgical maneuvers, provide greater comfort and control during every procedure, and improve safety and refractive outcomes for patients. A strong network of clinical and academic partners supports us in exploring this new era of surgery.

    What areas are we contributing to?

    • PIC-based sensors
    • Optoelectronic distance sensor technology
    • Spectroscopy solutions
    • Cavity metrology
    • Computer- and robot-assisted surgery
    • Smart surgical tools

    What technologies are we using and developing?

    • Integrated photonics and electronics
    • Optoelectronic signal processing
    • 3D microprinting

    Past and ongoing projects

    • Frequency-based photonic sensors
    • Multichannel spectroscopy
    • Observational learning and reinforcement learning for generating robot trajectories
    • Sensory concepts and algorithms for the geometrically accurate reconstruction of geometries in the front and back segments of the eye
    • Machine learning for segmenting tissue
    • New robot-assisted surgical techniques for reducing tissue stress and trauma

Welcome to Makerspace

This is where ideas can become innovations

How is innovation created in science, business, and arts?

An interdisciplinary salon discussion and a concert by Ensemble Modern will address this question. The highlight will be the premiere of the new piece by Israeli composer Emmanuel Witzthum, which was created as part of his creative residency at the ZEISS Innovation Hub @ KIT.

All under one roof

The ZEISS Innovation Hub at KIT is designed as a shared location for academic research, start-ups and industry. From the first floor to the top floor, it houses, among others, the 3D printing specialist Nanoscribe, the KIT high-tech incubator, which is home to numerous start-ups – and the ZEISS Innovation Team.

Innovation Hub KIT

Visiting the ZEISS Innovation Hub @ KIT

ZEISS Innovation Hub @ KIT
Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 6
76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany.

ZEISS Innovation Hub @ KIT

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