Alexander Rupprecht, TechBase Regensburg GmbH, Dr. Jürgen Helmes, IHK Regensburg für Oberpfalz / Kelheim und Michael Vogel, IHK Regensburg für Oberpfalz / Kelheim
Michael Vogel, IHK Regensburg für Oberpfalz / Kelheim
Hanno Kempermann, Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln Consult GmbH
Prof. Dr. Daniel Loebenberger, Fraunhofer AISEC
Johann Mooslechner, Synnotech AG
Dr. Daniel Nowakowski, DEHN SE
Prof. Dr. Martin Weiß, OTH Regensburg
Roland Ritter, KUKA AG
Georg Schlaffer, GEFASOFT Automatisierung und Software GmbH
Prof. Dr. Johanna Bogon, Universität Regensburg und Risecon GmbH
Thomas Stelzer, Rohde & Schwarz GmbH und Karen Fisher, IHK Regensburg für Oberpfalz / Kelheim
Thomas Stelzer, Rohde & Schwarz GmbH
Andreas Weinhut, Weinhut GmbH
Andrea Stich, Infineon Technologies AG
On July 16, 2025, TechBase Regensburg once again became a hub for future-oriented topics when the 2nd Regensburg Innovation Congress, themed “Human. Machine. Digitalization” brought together over 180 participants from business, science, the start-up scene, and administration. The congress, jointly organized by the Cluster Mobility & Logistics and the IHK Regensburg for Oberpfalz / Kelheim, provided a platform for exchange, inspiration, and concrete impetus for digital transformation in business and society.
The focus was on the question of how humans and machines can successfully interact in an increasingly digitalized world – not as opponents, but as a team. It became clear that digitalization is not an end in itself, but is effective when it empowers people, intelligently supports processes, and promotes innovation.
The day began with a small business breakfast specifically designed for matchmaking. Dr. Jürgen Helmes from the IHK Regensburg and Alexander Rupprecht, Managing Director of TechBase, then welcomed the approximately 180 participants. The keynote speech was given by Hanno Kempermann, Managing Director of the Cologne Institute for Economic Research. In his presentation, he outlined transformation paths for the German economy and provided ideas for successful digital realignment in times of global upheaval.
After a lunch break, the event continued with three parallel expert forums.
The forum “From data chaos to smart IT architecture” focused on IT infrastructures, data value creation, and AI-based planning approaches. The three speakers, Prof. Dr. Daniel Loebenberger from Fraunhofer AISEC, Johann Mooslechner, Operations Manager at Synnotech AG, and Dr. Daniel Nowakowski, Director of Data & AI at DEHN SE, provided valuable insights into this topic in their presentations.
The second forum was dedicated to the topic “Artificial Intelligence Meets Robotics”. Here, Prof. Dr. Martin Weiß, OTH Regensburg, Roland Ritter from KUKA AG, and Georg Schlaffer, GEFASOFT GmbH, presented different perspectives on the integration of AI into robot-assisted systems.
The third forum “Human-machine symbiosis in the world of work” highlighted the role of humans in increasingly digitized work environments. Contributions came from Prof. Dr. Johanna Bogon from the University of Regensburg, Thomas Stelzer from Rohde & Schwarz, and Andreas Weinhut, Weinhut GmbH.
In the concluding plenary session, Andrea Stich from Infineon Technologies spoke about the future design of new working environments under the influence of digital technologies. The wrap-up concluded a varied and practical conference day that provided both scientific and application-oriented insights.
The conference was rounded off by an accompanying exhibition of regional and national companies presenting innovative technologies and products. This exhibition offered participants the opportunity for direct exchange and networking with practitioners from a wide range of technology fields.
Thank you very much to our exhibitors:
Die Lobby GmbH
Digital Innovation Ostbayern (DiNO)
GEFASOFT Automatisierung und Software GmbH Regensburg
H.G.L.® GmbH
IHK Regensburg für Oberpfalz / Kelheim
LEYTON Deutschland GmbH
Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Augsburg (ibi research GmbH)
MKey Solution GmbH
Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Regensburg (OTH)
Strategische Partnerschaft Sensorik e.V.
Synnotech AG
Transformationsnetzwerk transform.r
The 2nd Regensburg Innovation Congress has established itself as an important platform for knowledge transfer and cross-industry exchange, emphasizing that digitalization can only be successful if people and technology are considered together.
Note
The event was part of the German government's transformation networks. The Regensburg project transform.r supports companies in coping with structural change in the automotive industry.