Press Releases

Space observation and space surveillance are the focus of the Fraunhofer Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques FHR's trade show appearance at Space Tech Expo Europe 2021. At Europe's largest exhibition and conference for the space industry, which will take place in Bremen from November 16 to 18, 2021, the institute will showcase the capabilities of the TIRA and GESTRA radar systems.

Emerging military scenarios with increasing complex threats are demanding new and advanced radiofrequency (RF) systems to ensure the strategic autonomy of the European Union (EU). CROWN project, launched in July 2021 under the EU Preparatory Action on Defence Research (PADR) program, will address research and technological development activities to go a step further in the development of European next-generation multifunction radiofrequency (RF) system mainly for airborne surveillance platforms based on Active Electronically Scanned Arrays (AESA) technology capable of integrating radar, electronic defence and communications functions into a single compact and lightweight item of equipment. The project will make a significant contribution towards building European industrial defence capability and ensuring industrial independence.

In the recently launched joint project "T-KOS" of the Research Fab Micro-electronics Germany (FMD), terahertz technology is now to be developed synergistically for industry in the fields of communication and sensor technology for the first time. Innovative system solutions in both areas can make a significant contribution to the successful implementation of future issues such as digitalization, Industry 4.0 or resource efficiency and thus strengthen Germany as a business location in the long term.

A sustainable society with climate-neutral processes requires significant adjustments in the value chains, which are only possible through innovations. Seven Fraunhofer Institutes are pooling their expertise in the lighthouse project "Waste4Future" to develop new solutions for this goal, from the raw material base to material flows and process engineering right to the end of a product's life cycle. In particular, they want to increase energy and resource efficiency in the use of plastics and thus pave the way for a chemical industry that requires fewer fossil raw materials and produces fewer emissions.

At busy transport hubs where cars mix with cyclists, buses, and streetcars, it can be impossible for drivers to keep track of everything around them. A radar sensor system could solve this problem by issuing an early warning for drivers and self-driving vehicles when a pedestrian runs toward the road or the car. The system, developed by Fraunhofer researchers, will even be able to interpret and understand entire situations on a road with the aid of artificial intelligence.