Science fiction is often as a precursor of real-world technological developments. “tomorrow” shows some examples of innovations that were described in science fiction novels and movies a long time before they occurred.

One of the places where the future of the road resides is airspace. With a collaborative partnership in the field of flying car powertrains Schaeffler intends to help make urban air mobility a reality.

As if by magic, mammoth container ships are loaded and unloaded in the world’s ports. However, in reality, human workers are still involved in these activities – and they practice their jobs using programs from the gaming industry.

Do you know the hidden champions in product history? Inventions that changed world history even though they’ve never been the focus of attention? “tomorrow” travels the trail of innovations from prehistoric times to the present day.

Excavators, cranes, and wheel loaders are indispensable at construction sites but their energy consumption poses a problem. That raises the question of how construction machinery can become more sustainable. bauma provided answers.

The new Technology Center provides Schaeffler with a state-of-the-art knowledge lab for material-based products. What kind of tech highlights does the facility contain, what kind of research is performed there, and what do customers value?

Flexibility – humanoid robots are going to perform more and more tasks at work, operating with advanced AI and sensitive sensors. Schaeffler experts have shared with us in what direction robotics is headed.

In increasingly resource-conscious industrial settings a lot revolves around energy efficiency in factory halls as well. How can significant potential savings be achieved? The motion technology company Schaeffler has come up with an idea.

ICARUS connects animals with the internet. With this technology, we gain vital insights from the swarm intelligence of nature.

Why parasitic currents can paralyze trains and what roller bearings have to do with it: read all about it here.

Today’s world is unthinkable without electric motors. Whether in heaters, hair dryers or drills, or even in electric cars – electric motors can be found practically everywhere. Will that soon be the case increasingly often in aircraft and ships too?

Firefighters save the lives of thousands of people all over the world – while risking their own. High tech is becoming increasingly important in that regard. A look at the future of rescuing.

On Christmas Day, billions of presents are given. Hauling all those parcels during the holiday season resembles a logistical miracle. Is Santa Claus behind all that or worldly technologies? There are indications for both …

It doesn’t always have to be a solar module on a roof or a wind turbine in a field. Around the world, resourceful engineers are seeking to tap new energy potential. “tomorrow” presents three innovative pilot projects.

Why can a comprehensive and successful energy transition effort be achieved only by integrating a molecule transition? What investments, what prerequisites would be necessary for that? An expert explains.

How do we manage to integrate new technologies and the resulting key to the future into our lives? Occupational psychologist and “curiosity researcher” Dr. Carl Naughton has been exploring this question for more than a decade.

Schaeffler has opened a cutting-edge technology center at its headquarters in Herzogenaurach. Around 90 million euros were invested in the construction of the technology center.

Cities of tomorrow are integrated, sustainable, and efficient. New technologies change how we get around, live, work, and shape our life. But how can smart solutions be integrated into existing infrastructure? Experts provide answers.

The integration of technological solutions for feeding the world in the future is meeting with increasing acceptance by consumers.

Tens of thousands of trucks are dispatched to travel the highways for shipping goods from A to B in countries all over the world – including Japan. Can conveyor belts replace trucks?

Automatic lubrication systems supplying hard to access or hazardous lube points on machines with grease increase work safety and reduce the risk of accidents.

Motion Technology Company Schaeffler is promoting the next generation of motorsport and will equip the new all-electric FG Series championship with e-mobility components on a long-term basis.

“tomorrow” asked an expert: Do technologies like the world’s largest carbon suction system or a huge carbon capture and storage plant truly work and how efficient are they for capturing carbon dioxide and getting the climate crisis under control?

Humanoid robots are becoming more powerful, nimble, and agile. Electric motors instead of the previous hydraulic units increasingly operate in their arms and legs. That’s a clearly discernible trend in other industrial applications as well.

More than 170 companies in pursuit of a single goal: the development of a consistent data ecosystem for the automotive industry. Read and learn here what the industry teamwork called Catena-X is all about.

Best-practice examples of teamwork at somewhat unusual workplaces.

How will the interaction between humans and robots develop? Acclaimed automation expert Dominik Bösl looked at the future for tomorrow. You can read his report on these pages.

Motorsport has been in Schaeffler’s DNA for many years. The DTM serves as the perfect innovation platform. Schaeffler’s rear-wheel steering system will be used in the Audi R8 LMS GT2 “innovation taxi” for the first time.

Modern technologies are turning into an increasingly powerful tool for convicting criminals. Dirk Labudde, Head of the Forensic Science Investigation Lab at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, provides insights.

Today’s children are tomorrow’s pioneers. “tomorrow” looks at how the youngest generation views the future. We asked children in various regions of the world what invention they’re still missing.

Materials not only form the structure of our surroundings but they’re also basic building blocks for groundbreaking developments. Together with experts, “tomorrow” looked at the key materials of the future.

Join us in exploring the breath-taking variety of tunnels around the world – from historic masterpieces to technological miracles to the largest natural cave systems – right here!

A dynamic market environment requires a clear focus on future-oriented innovations. In an interview with Schaeffler today, Chief Technology Officer Uwe Wagner (59) explains the structure of Schaeffler’s innovation strategy.

When large-scale technical projects or social change knock on the door the time has come for Nimby, an acronym that stands for “not in my backyard.” But what’s this alleged attitude of refusal all about?

Join us on a journey and discover the most spectacular cable cars.

From storage space in data centers to artificial intelligence: More and more products are being offered as cloud services. Data-as-a-Service is not widely known yet although it’s already shortening the downtimes of entire industrial systems.

The need for software keeps growing in line with digitalization. What’s been lacking so far is a simple way in which even employees with no IT experience can write the applications they need for their work. Low Code is designed to close that gap.

Anyone who wants to ride waves 50 metres high needs not only courage and skill, but also a surfboard design that is second to none. Big wave surfer Sebastian Steudtner has found the technology partner for his "Mission Wave Alpha" in Schaeffler.

Disturbing noise while driving has always gotten on people’s nerves but the issue has massively gained in importance due to the transition from internal combustion engines to quiet electric motors. Schaeffler’s expert Carsten Mohr provides insights.

The startup world is constantly in motion. “tomorrow” presents up-and-coming companies whose innovations in the transportation sector are already causing a sensation or have the potential to do so.

As energy storage systems for electric vehicles, traction batteries are increasingly attracting attention. They’re a challenge and key technology for climate-friendly mobility. A look at the current state of development and at technological prospects

While the chassis used to be the backbone of an automobile, software will assume that role in the future. Maria Anhalt, CEO of automotive software specialist Elektrobit, shares informative insights.

Schaeffler is demonstrating its development capabilities in the field of hydrogen-powered mobility with a new generation of metallic bipolar plates for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells.

Official ID cards and passports are frequently needed documents during the current travel season, but have you ever bothered taking a closer look at them? We have – and discovered some astonishing facts.

Be it in the wind tunnel or for crash testing – vehicle development repeatedly involves the deployment of physical prototype models. That’s a lengthy and costly process now being increasingly substituted by engineers working with digital twins.

Competition my foot! Agrivoltaics shows that the simultaneous use of land for farming purposes and solar power production is possible.

What requirements must be met so that airborne urban mobility can be used in a few years? In a research project, the German Aerospace Center DLR has sought answers.

Top-caliber driving without a mechanical steering column: Space Drive steer-by-wire technology from Schaeffler ByWire is put through its paces in rallying.

Swiss researchers have succeeded in developing ultrafast data transmission via laser and satellites.

What makes the battle against microplastics so difficult? What’s the average age of the freighters navigating the world’s seas? What can private citizens use to produce drinking water? Delve into the oceanic world and test your knowledge.

From turbines to nuclear power, from promising to bizarre – a compendium of the variety of powertrains from 150 years of automotive history.

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.

Transformation, change, strengthening resilience – how does that work? Andreas Hoberg, production expert and business consultant, classifies priorities and vocabulary.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.