Digital sustainability

Fraunhofer FOKUS makes an essential contribution to economic development in Germany and Europe by supporting the transfer of innovations in the field of high-quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure into practice. For example, the demand-specific 5G communication networks developed by FOKUS facilitate the cross-border operation of industries, which can reduce the life cycle costs of transportation, energy, media, and factories. FOKUS is also working on early hazard detection and warning of the population in the event of disasters and preventing cybercrime.

Fraunhofer FOKUS supports the mobility transition with solutions for networked mobility and intelligent urban planning, focusing on both motorized and non-motorized transport. This helps to reduce the CO2 footprint of growing urban populations significantly and contributes to a better connection of rural areas. The car and its surroundings must become more intelligent to benefit both road users and the environment. For example, the further development of automated rail transport is helping to conserve cities and resources and deal with the effects of rapid urbanization. Open access to official data (open data), for example, on local public transport, air quality, or population trends, also offers added value for the population and companies.

Free access to data and an open Internet are essential components of sustainable digitalization. By transferring cutting-edge research, Fraunhofer FOKUS ensures the development of efficient and inclusive institutions: With open data platforms and the transition to “data-driven government,” the administration can plan public measures and processes based on data and, thus, in a predictive and sustainable manner and ensure intelligent services. In addition, the digitalization of public authorities enables social participation: An open data structure creates trust in social processes and municipal decisions and strengthens social participation.