#Innovation

Strong through cooperation
Engineering
Strong through cooperation
The Schaeffler Hubs for Advanced Research (SHARE) have been linking industry and leading universities for ten years – a success story that began in 2013 at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is celebrating its anniversary.
May 2023
“It could work out! If …”
Engineering
“It could work out! If …”
Transformation, change, strengthening resilience – how does that work? Andreas Hoberg, production expert and business consultant, classifies priorities and vocabulary.
May 2023
Welcome to the holofants
Future Life
Welcome to the holofants
Wild animals belong to a circus like clowns and acrobats – but who says that they must be real? True-to-original holograms can deliver even higher entertainment value. Initial proof of that has already been provided.
February 2023
Old masters in a digital guise
Future Life
Old masters in a digital guise
New technologies are sweeping through the often dusty museums and making the art world fit for the future. By merging oil and canvas with bits and bytes, old masters are conquering young markets along the way.
January 2023
That makes sense
Future Life
That makes sense
Sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste – these senses not only have biological relevance for us human beings but also connect us with our surroundings. Consequently, disorders within the sensory system have an impact. High tech can provide relief.
January 2023
Hello, holo!
Future Life
Hello, holo!
Canadian researchers managed to teleport the hologram of a person in real time. Together with “tomorrow,” Professor Metin Tolan, an eminent physicist and avowed Trekkie, ventures a look at the systems of the future.
January 2023
Mental block
In Motion
Mental block
The systems that will have to contribute to sensible and sustainable future mobility include Homo sapiens. Can traffic psychology help break down mental barriers to change?
December 2022
Joining forces for faster findings
Engineering
Joining forces for faster findings
The world’s 40 richest countries spend a total of 1.2 trillion euros per year on research and development. The money has been invested particularly effectively when academia and business act hand in hand.
December 2022
Schaeffler’s visionaries
Engineering
Schaeffler’s visionaries
How can the transportation sector become more sustainable? And how can Schaeffler accelerate that transformation? Those questions are among the ones that the specialists in Schaeffler’s Advanced Innovation department address and explore.
October 2022
Six innovative lifesavers
Think Green
Six innovative lifesavers
Eight billion people inhabit the Earth and nearly four billion of them are already living without reliable drinking-water supply today. Around the world, researchers are developing new technologies for tapping sources of drinking-water.
August 2022
Hot sand for hot winters
Think Green
Hot sand for hot winters
Wouldn’t it be great if the summer heat could be recovered for heating in winter? Scientists worldwide are researching this. tomorrow presents two novel means of storage: sand and acid.
July 2022
Little and larger helpers
Engineering
Little and larger helpers
The evolution of robots is rapidly picking up momentum. The worker-bees among them are becoming more powerful and ruggedized, liberating their human colleagues from hard and hazardous work. A status report from the world of machines.
June 2022
Light show
Digital
Light show
Reducing computing time is a constant subject in the world of IT. Now, modern laser technology is intended to help raise computers to new levels of speed and efficiency. “tomorrow” shows two examples.
June 2022
Energy from the deep – the next big thing
Think Green
Energy from the deep – the next big thing
When it comes to energy production, the focus is more on being above ground than below. Instead of coal mines, the emphasis is on wind turbines. Not so at Quaise: The company wants to open up new dimensions for geothermal energy.
May 2022
Energy storage systems of the future
Think Green
Energy storage systems of the future
Electricity storage is a key component of climate gas reduction. What role can mechanical systems such as flywheels, gravity and compressed-air energy storage play in this context? An overview.
March 2022
Ship ahoy, crew goodbye!
In Motion
Ship ahoy, crew goodbye!
In the future, autonomous vehicles are planned to play an important role also on water. In an interview, shipbuilding expert Dr. Christian Masilge explains what benefits this technology offers.
March 2022
Idea + X = success
Future Life
Idea + X = success
Startups have a pioneering spirit deeply rooted in their DNA. The following examples show how an innovative startup scene develops clever ideas further so that they achieve success in the marketplace.
February 2022
On the road toward a biobased economy
Think Green
On the road toward a biobased economy
Microorganisms as turbo recyclers, mussels as innovation models or artificial muscles as actuators: Driven by a pioneering spirit, biotechnology is gearing up for the battle against climate change.
January 2022
The electric revolution of the World Rally Championship
In Motion
The electric revolution of the World Rally Championship
The light has turned green for the hybrid era of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). Global automotive supplier Schaeffler and its subsidiary Compact Dynamics are playing a pioneering role.
January 2022
Delving into history with high tech
Digital
Delving into history with high tech
In the quest for traces of our ancestors, archeologists dig up Earth’s past – and increasingly avail themselves of pioneering technologies in the process.
January 2022
What is smart about the smart city?
Digital
What is smart about the smart city?
The city in an all-new role: as a producer of big data. Professor Gesa Ziemer, PhD, director of the global CityScienceLab, describes the wide range of opportunities resulting from this role.
January 2022
Be robots and multiply
Engineering
Be robots and multiply
Robots multiplying themselves – that sounds like science fiction but is a reality. These automatic machines, however, are really tiny.
January 2022
Fireworks of the future
Future Life
Fireworks of the future
Fireworks are part of the New Year. However, these bombs of fine dust are not environmentally friendly. We present to you: There is a clean alternative: drone displays – high-tech pixels in the night.
December 2021
Transparent data for eternity
Digital
Transparent data for eternity
Researchers have developed a new high-speed method of storing huge information volumes on crystal 5D discs for billions of years.
December 2021
Shipping electricity
Think Green
Shipping electricity
Does shipping offshore wind power to onshore grids make sense? A Japanese start-up says yes it does.
December 2021
Electric fine-dust catcher
Future Life
Electric fine-dust catcher
Log-burning stoves radiate cozy warmth in winter, but the fine dust emitted by burning wood poses a health hazard and pollutes the environment. A new device provides relief.
December 2021
AI for your fries
Future Life
AI for your fries
Working as a fry cook is not exactly one of the dream jobs in the restaurant world. But there’s a worker who’s not deterred by any of that: Flippy, a professional fry cook using AI.
December 2021
Flying Star Trek-style
In Motion
Flying Star Trek-style
In the Star Trek movies, spacecraft powered by ion thrusters dash through the universe. In the United States a rather earthly aircraft recently completed an initial test flight with such a system.
December 2021
In motion for the last 75 years
Engineering
In motion for the last 75 years
It is one of the greatest “Made in Germany” success stories: The global automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler is celebrating its 75th anniversary today.
December 2021
A super laser as a lightning rod
Future Life
A super laser as a lightning rod
Humans have been afraid of thunderstorms since time immemorial. Lightning rods reduce the risks they entail but have disadvantages as well. Lasers that channel lightning might solve the problem.
November 2021
Voltage in the wind
In Motion
Voltage in the wind
The “Spirit of Innovation” propeller-powered aircraft has set a new speed record for electric vehicles of 555.9 km/h (345.4 mph). How great is the potential of this high-powered plane?
November 2021
Spun into space
In Motion
Spun into space
Instead of burning thousands of tons of fuel the technology start-up SpinLaunch is planning to hurl rockets into orbit using centrifugal force. This is how the launcher centrifuge is said to work ...
November 2021
Just fill up manure
In Motion
Just fill up manure
A Lithuanian organic food producer has now unveiled the world’s first hybrid tractor powered by biomethane and electricity for professional use: the Auga M1.
November 2021
From gray to green
Think Green
From gray to green
Starting in 2025, Schaeffler will be buying 100,000 metric tons (110,000 short tons) of “green” steel per year from a Swedish startup. The steel will be produced with hydrogen.
November 2021
As if by magic
In Motion
As if by magic
An electric race car without a driver barreling down the track and a car sharing provider steering its automobiles from an office. Two further steps toward making autonomous mobility a reality.
November 2021
Wind meets wall
Think Green
Wind meets wall
Norwegian company Wind Catching Systems aims to revolutionize offshore power generation with a “wall” as tall as the Eiffel Tower with 126 small 1-MW turbines.
November 2021
Rolling through the ages
Engineering
Rolling through the ages
It’s one of the world’s most important inventions and has been making the everyday lives of humans easier for nearly 6,000 years: the wheel.
October 2021
Let there be heat where heat should be
In Motion
Let there be heat where heat should be
Less energy consumption, longer range – how Schaeffler enhances the efficiency of e-cars with smart thermal management.
September 2021
The future of flying
In Motion
The future of flying
Flying, but greener – that’s what the future of aviation has to look like.
September 2021
Clean energy galore
Think Green
Clean energy galore
Some countries produce more sustainable energy than they need. New technologies help distribute surplus power efficiently.
September 2021
Less is more
Engineering
Less is more
Almost a fourth of the energy consumed is lost to friction. It’s time to change that – with new surface technologies.
September 2021
Digital beats 20/20 vision
Digital
Digital beats 20/20 vision
I can see what you see too: Mixed Reality applications accelerate processes and facilitate remote communications.
September 2021
In touch with the stars
Engineering
In touch with the stars
The most important passenger on board of the jumbo jet called SOFIA is a space telescope.
September 2021
Quantum leap in the web
Digital
Quantum leap in the web
A network of quantum computers would be epochally more powerful and absolutely secure.
September 2021
Intelligent chassis systems
In Motion
Intelligent chassis systems
Schaeffler is steadily expanding its involvement in autonomous mobility based on intelligent chassis systems.
August 2021
A perfect give and go
Engineering
A perfect give and go
As an innovation leader, Schaeffler is already researching the technologies of tomorrow together with universities, institutes, and research facilities.
September 2021
Sky busters
Digital
Sky busters
Space exploration has been a technological trailblazer from the outset. Now it’s receiving an extra boost by powerful private-sector competitors and innovative start-ups.
April 2021
In the making
Engineering
In the making
15,000 square meters of footprint, 15 high-tech laboratories: Herzogenaurach will soon be home to “Schaeffler’s Central Laboratory”. “tomorrow” talked to Prof. Dr.-Ing. Tim Hosenfeldt.
April 2021
Embarking on a new age
Future Life
Embarking on a new age
The world is in a state of technological change and this is also true for motorsport. How can the high-tech racing categories take part in shaping the the transformation of mobility?
October 2020
Ingenious misses
In Motion
Ingenious misses
The history books of technology are full of misunderstood inventions. Not all of them were bad, but some of them just hit the market at the wrong time.
December 2020
With the power of the wind
Think Green
With the power of the wind
Over the course of millennia, the wind has been working for humans. In the future, the wind will become a powerful ally in the battle against climate change – thanks to technological innovation.
December 2020
Of players and helpers
Engineering
Of players and helpers
Automaton, machine, robot, humanoid, android, cobot – no matter what names the artificial entertainers have been given, the foundations of this success story were laid as far back as 3,000 years ago.
December 2020
A stroke of genius
Engineering
A stroke of genius
70 years ago, Dr.-Ing. E. h. Georg Schaeffler filed a patent application for the cage-guided needle roller bearing that has revolutionized bearing technology until today.
June 2020
Preventive action
Engineering
Preventive action
The transformation toward e-mobility doesn’t stop at the gates of the spare parts market. Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket is gearing up for the demands of tomorrow.
October 2020
Dr. Digital
Digital
Dr. Digital
Digital transformation in the healthcare sector is in full swing and receiving a boost due to the corona pandemic. Here are a few examples.
October 2020
Looking deep into boundless expanses
Digital
Looking deep into boundless expanses
When looking to the stars and exploring planets, black holes and other distant celestial bodies, the first thing to do is find a high vantage point.
October 2020
One thing after the other
Engineering
One thing after the other
More than a hundred years ago, the moving assembly line changed the manufacturing process: an awesome success story – and one that could soon be ending.
December 2019
Does the climate gas CO<sub>2</sub> also have a green side to it?
Future Life
Does the climate gas CO2 also have a green side to it?
Whereas all previous plans revolved around storing the climate gas CO2 in underground layers of rock or just getting rid of it, it’s now supposed to be converted into a valuable raw material.
December 2019
Digital renaissance of a masterpiece
Digital
Digital renaissance of a masterpiece
Art fuses with artificial worlds. Apps and Virtual Reality (VR) headsets enable visitors to delve into classic paintings and dead artists are brought to life by means of artificial intelligence (AI).
September 2019
How ideas turn into success
Engineering
How ideas turn into success
Ideas need people who believe in them and make them reality. Four examples described illustrate how Schaeffler manages to transfer innovative stimuli into successful projects.
April 2019