SmartFactory-KL, a prominent research and industry network, has joined forces with ARENA2026, a research campus for production innovation in Stuttgart, to integrate a state-of-the-art PILZ handling station into the Gaia-X data space. This landmark collaboration represents a significant step towards transforming manufacturing processes and secure data transfers in the realm of production.
The recent delivery of a handling station by PILZ to ARENA2026 marks the first practical outcome of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between SmartFactory-KL and ARENA2026 at the Hannover Messe. The handling station will be seamlessly integrated into the Gaia-X data space at SmartFactory-Kaiserslautern (SF-KL), becoming an essential part of the Production Level 4 ecosystem.
The Production Level 4 ecosystem at SF-KL allows for shared production at three different locations in Kaiserslautern. Customers actively participate in the design and construction of their trucks using an intuitive product configurator. Upon selecting the “yellow cab” option, the production process initiates at ARENA2026 in Stuttgart. The driver’s cab, printed in the signature yellow colour of PILZ Company, undergoes a quality control check using an AI algorithm and a sophisticated robot arm. After receiving clearance, it is transported to Kaiserslautern, where it is meticulously mounted on the model truck.
What sets this innovative collaboration apart is the establishment of a secure data space, which forms the backbone of this groundbreaking project. Susanne Kunschert, the managing partner at PILZ, emphasized the value of the data space ecosystem, stating, “The reason we decided to participate in this project is that the data space ecosystem supports people: It creates the opportunity to try out, test, and demonstrate. As a result, we gain new knowledge about safe automation – entirely in the sense of Manufacturing-X.”
Professor Martin Ruskowski, the CEO of SmartFactory-KL, praised the collaboration and highlighted its potential to redefine production processes. “By shifting manufacturing processes, coordination, and secure data transfers to data space, we are entering a new dimension in production. The temporary integration of the PILZ station in Stuttgart with our production planning system enables us to experience how shared production can work in the future,” said Ruskowski.
The cooperation between SmartFactory-KL and ARENA2026 opens up two technically feasible scenarios. First, the ARENA2036 station could become a part of the SF-KL Gaia-X data space, facilitating smooth integration. Alternatively, ARENA2026 could develop its own data space, interconnected with SF-KL’s data space through the Eclipse Dataspace Connector (EDC), which has been positively evaluated by the community at the Tech-X Hackathon in Bilbao.
The significance of this collaboration extends beyond the two research campuses involved. “Joint project development strengthens the positioning of Germany as a leading business location. That is so much more constructive than competing against each other,” added Ruskowski.
SmartFactory-KL, with its unique Industrie 4.0 network, continues to push the boundaries of production innovation. Its Production Level 4 ecosystem, supported by cutting-edge technologies such as AI operations, digital twins, operational safety intelligence, and industrial edge cloud applications, has paved the way for revolutionary manufacturing architectures. As a result, the SmartFactory-KL and ARENA2026 collaboration represents a prime example of how data spaces can foster digital collaboration and create new possibilities for safe automation in the manufacturing sector.
The successful integration of the PILZ handling station into the Gaia-X data space marks a remarkable milestone, and both organizations welcome all stakeholders to actively participate and explore the potential of this cutting-edge initiative.
SmartFactory-KL is a research and industry network comprising the non-profit association, Technologie-Initiative SmartFactory KL (SF-KL), and two scientific research institutes – “Innovative Factory Systems” at DFKI and “Machine Tools and Control Systems” at the RPTU campus Kaiserslautern. Spearheaded by Prof. Dr. Martin Ruskowski, SmartFactory-KL facilitates collaboration between industry and research to develop and implement future production concepts for the factories of the future. Their Production Level 4 ecosystem is a trailblazing platform for testing innovative production technologies in a realistic factory environment, ensuring Germany’s position as a leading business location in the manufacturing industry.
ARENA2026 is a research campus for production innovation located in Stuttgart. By combining different approaches within the data space, ARENA2026 fosters a collaborative environment for developing cutting-edge production solutions. Their collaboration with SmartFactory-KL reflects their commitment to pushing the boundaries of manufacturing technology and their participation in the Gaia-X network.
