The high-tech agenda presented by Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär (CSU) is a successful initiative with the clear goal of creating more incentives to promote innovation and key technologies. Its success also depends on the commitment of other federal government departments to create competitive conditions in Germany.
Strengthening Germany as a technology location and overcoming existing weaknesses in knowledge transfer is also a core concern of the VDI. "The competitiveness of our location and the overcoming of our challenges require a real boost to innovation and, at the same time, competitive conditions in Germany. Engineers transform scientific findings into innovative products and processes that should aspire to be successful not only in Germany and Europe, but worldwide, thereby having a global impact," emphasizes Prof. Dr.-Ing. Lutz Eckstein, President of the VDI.
Therefore, the high-tech agenda can only have the desired effect if all federal ministries and stakeholders from research and industry contribute. "The key technology of artificial intelligence and its potential applications in research and industry can only generate added value if we also make adjustments in the area of data protection, thereby creating internationally competitive framework conditions. This is why, among other things, the Ministry of Justice is called upon to quickly supplement the Federal Ministry of Education and Research's high-tech agenda and to rapidly adapt data protection regulations. This is just one example, because there are several topics and key technologies where all departments of the federal government must work together to successfully implement the high-tech agenda," says Lutz Eckstein.
Technological priorities are right – openness is crucial
From the VDI's point of view, setting the right technological priorities is crucial: "We welcome the initial focus on key technologies such as artificial intelligence, microelectronics, biotechnology, sustainable mobility, and climate-neutral energy. Materials and production technologies are also indispensable for Germany as an industrial location, so that innovative products and systems can be manufactured competitively. I therefore welcome the open approach of the agenda," said Prof. Eckstein. The VDI is pleased that the Ministry of Research has signaled that further topics and priorities may be added in the concrete implementation of the high-tech agenda. From the VDI's point of view, this openness is crucial so that the agenda can be backed up by concrete roadmaps and kept up to date.
VDI President Prof. Eckstein emphasizes the VDI's willingness to contribute constructively to the further development and implementation of the German government's high-tech agenda. “We see the draft presented as a real opportunity to create a spirit of optimism. With our ”Future Germany 2050" initiative, we are supplementing the agenda focused on technology transfer with a long-term strategy to highlight and drive selected key technologies beyond legislative periods. Fundamentally, strengthening current industries and developing future industries and value creation opportunities is key to securing prosperity and expanding technological sovereignty and social resilience. The high-tech agenda is a good start in this regard," said Prof. Eckstein.
In addition to key technologies, the high-tech agenda also describes general future research priorities. In particular, health research in strategic research fields should be strengthened. "The medical technology of tomorrow is one of our key areas for the future and offers great potential for Germany as an attractive location. For this reason, we are also addressing this topic in the VDI initiative ‘Future Germany 2050’. Engineers are doing amazing things to use technology to relieve the burden on surgical procedures and doctors and save human lives," explains VDI Director Adrian Willig.
High-tech made in Germany – valves and more, even in space
The newly formed ministry is also responsible for technology and space travel, which now has the necessary space in the new high-tech agenda. From the VDI's perspective, robust multi-satellite systems in low orbits are also crucial for reliable space-based information sources, such as telecommunications, navigation, and Earth observation systems. There is great potential for application, especially in areas such as disaster control, defense, and autonomous driving.
Despite promising technologies in the “New Space” sector, Germany has a lot of catching up to do in terms of production in order to ramp up the manufacture of larger numbers of satellites. The VDI therefore recommends, among other things, the launch of a research program on secure multi-satellite systems to supplement traditional satellites with distributed sensors on microsatellites and increase the robustness of the overall system. Research into the technical fundamentals and methods for the small-scale production of these satellites should be supported.
High-precision and extremely reliable components play a key role in this environment, including fittings and valves, which are indispensable in fuel systems, cooling circuits, and the control of pressure and flow processes. This demonstrates once again how strongly German industrial expertise influences specialized industries to make space technologies safe and sustainable.
