Current relevance
Why Smart Networks?
Valuable data does not emerge by chance — it must be deliberately captured, contextualized, and made usable. In increasingly complex and connected production environments, requirements for sensing, networking, and data processing are rising significantly.
Providing the right data at the right time in the right place remains a key challenge for many companies. Those who strategically integrate sensor technology, edge infrastructure, and data processing create sustainable competitive advantages.
SMART NETWORKS WITH BALLUFF
Data that truly makes an impact
What it’s about:
The Innovation Circle, initiated by Balluff, brings together industry, start-ups, and academia. Together, opportunities are identified, validated through pilot projects, and translated into concrete product and portfolio decisions. The goal is to significantly shorten innovation cycles and accelerate the path to market for new solutions.
Focus topics:
Within the Circle, industry companies, start-ups, and research partners work on questions such as:
What we aim to achieve:
The goal is to create intelligent networks that do not only transmit data, but transform it into actionable insights — enabling efficiency, differentiation, and sustainable growth.
the company
Shaping Smart Networks with Balluff
Balluff is a leading sensor and automation specialist offering a comprehensive portfolio of high-quality sensor, identification, networking, and software solutions. As a family-owned company in its fourth generation, headquartered in Neuhausen auf den Fildern, Balluff has evolved into a globally active industry leader.
More information
Growth areas and innovation circles
The Smart Networks Innovation Circle with Balluff is anchored in the Industry growth area. Additional Innovation Circles are aligned with the eight growth areas.
Growth areas
Across eight growth areas, we cluster the key challenges of tomorrow. As a thematic framework of the NXTGN innovation platform, the growth areas help connect science, industry, and start-ups in a targeted way with topic-specific networks.
Innovation Circles
Building on the eight growth areas, the Innovation Circles create a concrete framework for company-driven collaboration. As anchor partners, selected companies contribute a strategic growth area and jointly shape topic-specific innovation ecosystems together with start-ups and academia.
Contact us
Shape innovation actively
Do you have questions about the Smart Networks Innovation Circle or want to get involved? Get in touch with us.
Bianca Kiefer
Senior Innovation Circle Manager NXTGN
Ellen Wohlfart
Venture Clienting Expert
