Prof. Alexander Martin, a renowned expert in artificial intelligence, especially mathematical optimization, is joining the management team of Fraunhofer IIS. The largest institute in the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft has been growing its activities in this area for several years. Prof. Martin is currently setting up the ADA-Center at Fraunhofer IIS. ADA stands for “analytics, data, applications” and refers to the collection and analysis in particular of large amounts of data to improve existing processes and business models or develop new ones. To this end, the center works with methods of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and mathematical optimization.

“AI, cognitive systems and machine learning are key to the future transformation of the economy and society. This involves a fundamental structural change in international commerce and in industrial value chains,” explains Prof. Reimund Neugebauer, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. He adds, “With Prof. Martin joining the Fraunhofer IIS management team, we are continuing to expand our research in the strategically important field of artificial intelligence, and doing our part to ensure companies remain competitive in the future.”

Besides the technical management of the ADA-Center, Prof. Martin’s main focus is the Nuremberg site, where both the Positioning and Networks as well as Supply Chain Services divisions are located.

Prof. Martin was born in Memmingen, Germany, in 1965. He studied at the University of Augsburg, received his doctorate from the Technical University of Berlin and qualified there as a university lecturer. He was deputy head of the department “Optimization” at the Zuse Institute Berlin before being appointed to TU Darmstadt in 2000, where he was also vice president from 2008 to 2010. In 2010, he took over the chair for economy, discrete optimization and mathematics (EDOM) at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg.

 

The “Positioning and Networks” and “Supply Chain Services” divisions

 

The Positioning and Networks division is developing wireless communications, positioning and identification technologies for connected digital applications in production, logistics, security, mobility and sport/fitness. It is also focusing on new data analysis techniques, employing methods of artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide recommendations for making decisions and taking action in complex environments.

Its scientists are working together with the Supply Chain Services division on future technologies and applications for the Internet of Things, Industry 4.0 and connected mobility.

The core competence of the Supply Chain Services SCS division is leveraging data to optimize business processes by combining economic methods and technological solutions with mathematical procedures and models: it designs data spaces for complete networked systems and rapidly deployable IoT prototypes, develops cutting-edge data analytics methods for specific applications, and supports the organizational and strategic implementation of the digital transformation.

 

Overview of the management of Fraunhofer IIS

 

Executive Directors

·       Prof. Albert Heuberger, Executive Director

·       Dr. Bernhard Grill, Director with focus on Audio & Media Technologies

·       Prof. Alexander Martin, Director responsible for the Nuremberg location (Positioning and Networks as well as Supply Chain Services divisions)

Deputy Directors

·       Prof. Randolf Hanke, Deputy Director of the Institute

·       Dr. Peter Dittrich, Deputy Director of the Institute