ProKI-Next-Dresden - Demonstration and Transfer Network for AI in Manufacturing

Project Content and Objectives

ProKI-Next-Dresden will continue the work of the ProKI site in Dresden and adapt it to current developments in artificial intelligence. Building on the demonstration and transfer formats developed in ProKI-Dresden, research-proven AI applications from the field of metal forming will be further developed, demonstrated in a consolidated manner, and prepared for transfer into industrial practice—particularly in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

A key focus is on current AI technologies such as foundation models and generative AI and their application in metal forming. Along an integrated deep-drawing process chain, inline measurement technology, data-driven process models and digital twins, adaptive process control, predictive maintenance, and robot-assisted automation, among other elements, are linked together. The goal is not only to further develop these applications technically but also to make them understandable, demonstrable, and tangible for companies.

Approach

1. Technological Development and Integration
Existing demonstrators and research results will be further developed into a seamless demonstration environment along the deep-drawing process chain and jointly validated.

2. Human-Centered Approach in Realistic Scenarios
Technical testing will be supplemented by real-world work situations. Scenarios will simulate typical or relevant usage situations at machines and within production processes. This will allow for the early assessment of changes in tasks, information and decision-making processes, ergonomic conditions, psychological stress and strain, as well as factors relevant to user acceptance.

3. Transfer to operational practice
The findings are adapted for use by companies and integrated into existing transfer structures. These include, among other things, demonstrations, guidelines, and best-practice examples, as well as updates to the ProKI Project Atlas and cross-site technical exchange.

CIMTT’s Roles in the ProKI-Next Project

In ProKI-Next, the CIMTT contributes, in particular, an ergonomics-based and transfer-oriented perspective. The focus is on investigations conducted at the machine and within the production process using realistic scenarios. These serve to examine AI applications not in isolation from their technical function, but within specific work situations and from the perspective of their future use.

Among other factors, changes in work tasks and human-AI interaction, as well as operational and production-related framework conditions, are taken into account. At the same time, the scenarios provide a concrete foundation for reflecting early on—together with employees and operational experts—on requirements, expectations, and potential critical situations. Based on this, design needs can be identified, and the conditions for a transparent and acceptance-promoting introduction of AI can be supported.

In addition, the CIMTT contributes to the overall integration and validation of the demonstrator, as well as to the preparation of project results in a format suitable for transfer. This includes, in particular, contributions to the project atlas, guidelines, and best-practice examples, as well as to specialized transfer and networking formats.

Funding and Project Sponsor

• Funding Program: Demonstration and Transfer Network for AI in Production (ProKI Network)
• Project Duration: 06/2026 – 12/2026
• Funding Reference Number: 02P22A150
• Funding Agency: Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR)
• Project Management Agency: Project Management Agency Karlsruhe (PTKA)
• Project Coordinator: Prof . Dr.-Ing. Steffen Ihlenfeldt, Chair of Machine Tools Development and Adaptive Controls, TU Dresden

Participating Departments at TU Dresden

• Chair of Machine Tools Development and Adaptive Controls (LWM) – Project Coordination
• Institute of Manufacturing (IF)
• CIMTT Center of Production Engineering and Management

Further Information

Current project description on the funding portal: ProKI-Next-Dresden – The Future of Value Creation

ProKI-Dresden at TU Dresden: tu-dresden.de/ing/proki

Your contact person at CIMTT is: