DLR Foundation Models

The rapid development of generative artificial intelligence AI is fundamentally changing the world of work and information processing, automating routine tasks and also becoming relevant for complex tasks in software development and scientific research. There is also a wide range of potential applications for DLR. However, general foundation models (FMs) are currently not well suited for domain-specific scenarios due to their limitation to unspecific training data. In order to make large FMs usable for DLR applications, methods for adapting large AI models to specific tasks are being developed in this project and made available as a framework in the form of a service architecture and the necessary infrastructure. This enables the synergetic development of specialised applications. Part of this synergy project is therefore also the selection and monitoring of promising use cases from aviation, aerospace and transport, which are then trailed in application projects. The establishment of training concepts and workshops for employees in various areas of DLR is also intended to increase DLR's overall expertise in dealing with generative AI.

DLR Foundation Models
Project structure DLR Foundation Models
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In this project, the DLR Institute of Data Science is working on issues relating to the adaptation of foundation models for special applications. The aim is to provide lightweight models that are specialised only in specific capabilities of general foundation models and thus require fewer computing resources and have a lower carbon footprint. To this end, approaches to quantization, knowledge distillation and model pruning are being pursued.

Special applications here are for example

    • AI assistants in space travel
    • Digital assistants in the cockpit and in air traffic
    • Robust interaction with virtual components of future transport infrastructure
    • Obtaining information from multimodal earth observation data

Project duration: 07/2024 - 12/2026

Participating institutes and facilities

Institute of Software Technology

The mission of the Institute of Software Technology is research and development in software engineering technologies, and the incorporation of these technologies into DLR software projects.

Institute for AI Safety and Security

At the Institute for AI Safety & Security, we research and develop AI-related methods, processes, algorithms, technologies and execution and system environments. Our focus is on safe and standard-compliant AI, cyber security in open data and service ecosystems and AI, as well as autonomous mobility and logistics facilitation.

Institute of Data Science

The main focus of the Institute of Data Science in Jena relies on finding solutions for the new challenges of the digitalisation era. Research is being conducted into topics related to Data Management, IT Security and Smart Systems (Industry 4.0).

Space Operations and Astronaut Training

DLR Space Operations is the central institution for spaceflight operations in Germany. This responsibility includes satellite missions for Earth observation, science and communication missions as well as the exploration of the Solar System and human spaceflight missions.

Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics

The Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics develops a wide array of robots to enable humans to interact more safely and efficiently with their surrounding environments.

Institute of Flight Guidance

The Institute of Flight Guidance is working on the development and application of future processes and technologies for the integrated airborne and ground-based guidance of aircraft.

Institute of Systems Engineering for Future Mobility

The newly founded DLR Institute of Systems Engineering for Future Mobility in Oldenburg focuses on research into the methods needed to develop and validate future automated and autonomous transport systems.

Institute of Transportation Systems

In today’s economy and society mobility is of high significance. People want to arrive at their destinations comfortably and quickly. Goods have to be moved economically over long and short distances.