Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation IOSB

Welcome to Fraunhofer IOSB!

Developing innovative vision systems including the necessary laser light sources. Making best possible use of sensors and interconnecting them. Processing and evaluating the resulting data streams. Using this data to efficiently support humans in making sound decisions, improving processes and controlling autonomous systems in an intelligent way: This complete process and value chain is our domain. It combines the core competences reflected in our name – optronics, system technologies and image exploitation to provide optimum benefits for a wide range of applications.

News from Fraunhofer IOSB

 

Würzburg / Karlsruhe / 29.4.2026

Asse: Remote-controlled recovery system

Bilfinger and Fraunhofer IOSB are developing a teleoperated retrieval system on behalf of the Federal Company for Radioactive Waste Disposal (BGE) to retrieve radioactive waste from the Asse II mine. The goal is to enable the safe, precise, and efficient exposure and retrieval of the waste drums – using multifunctional work machines, modern robotics, and assistance functions for the control center.

 

Press release / 12.3.2026

White paper for Turkish–German R&D partnership

Turkish manufacturing companies can now take a concrete next step toward deeper cooperation with Fraunhofer in applied R&D, industrial digitalization and data-driven value creation. The white paper provides a practical framework for rapid, measurable results: standardized data exchange, interoperable data spaces, and structured innovation clusters.

 

Press release / 18.2.2026

Smart traffic light project on UNESCO's list of best practices

“KI4PED – AI-based optimization of pedestrian crossing times through smart traffic light systems” by Fraunhofer IOSB-INA has made it onto the international list of the International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI) under the auspices of UNESCO. It is one of 100 AI innovations worldwide recognized for making a special contribution to the UN SDG.

 

visIT science journal

Agentic Industrial AI

When optimization tasks in production processes are delegated to autonomous software components, or when operators can interact with production equipment using natural language, this creates enormous potential. However, industrial environments have specific requirements: in terms of safety and reliability, but also regarding the collection and management of data needed for training and operating AI agents.

 

More new

More press releases and news

Some news and press releases are only available in German.

 

Blog post

The invisible risk behind the wheel

Cognitive distraction is a major but often underestimated risk to road safety. This blog post explains why smart AI solutions are essential to detect driver inattention.

Where to find us

Our media channels

 

Fraunhofer IOSB

Advanced System Technology branch IOSB-AST

Industrial Automation branch IOSB-INA

 

IOSB Progress report

Digital technologies for productivity, sustainability, and security

This is not only the motto of our progress report 2023/2024, but an umbrella for what our research and development activities are all about. Flick through the report to get an overview of Fraunhofer IOSB's business areas, departments, and current highlight topics!