• Cross-site AI solutions: An algorithm developed in Hamburg for road damage detection can easily be adopted in Ulm thanks to scalable data platforms.
• Safe driver monitoring: The OneVision immersive simulation platform recognises drivers' emotional state with just one camera and can activate autonomous driving functions in the event of stress or excessive demands
• Focus on data protection: Special emphasis is placed on protecting personal biometric and AI data, which is a decisive factor for social acceptance
• Quantum year in Einstein city: Ulm, the birthplace of Albert Einstein, is celebrating the quantum year of 2025 with a variety of events for all ages
Visit to the Institute for AI Safety and Security
Mehran Ghahremanpour, from the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism, visited the DLR Institute for AI Safety and Security, the DLR Institute of Quantum Technologies, and the DLR Quantum Computing Initiative (QCI) at the Ulm site. Professor Frank Köster introduced the Institute for AI Safety and Security, presenting innovative approaches for secure and scalable AI applications.
Boundless AI: From Hamburg to Ulm
Two impressive demonstrations illustrated the potential of DLR research. Moritz Eckert demonstrated how AI-based road condition analysis can be transformed by global data ecosystems. A particular highlight was an algorithm for damage detection, developed in Hamburg, which can be easily transferred to Ulm, where it analyses road damage with equal reliability. Data and algorithms are shared across locations, enabling local authorities to quickly access proven technologies. This work forms part of the Gaia-X 4 Future Mobility project, which involves the development of the scalable Base-X data platform.
Emotion recognition for greater driving safety
Dr. Markus Lange, Benedikt Franke und Dr. Arne Peter Raulf präsentierten die immersive Simulationsplattform OneVision – einen Fahrzeugsimulator, der gezielt Forschungsdaten zur KI-Sicherheit generiert. Im Mittelpunkt steht die kameragestützte Erfassung des emotionalen Zustandes von Fahrern mittels Künstlicher Intelligenz. Besonders beeindruckend ist die hohe Zuverlässigkeit dieses Systems bei minimalem Sensor-Input: Eine einzige Kamera reicht aus, während alternative Lösungsansätze auf Mehrkamerasysteme angewiesen sind. Erkennt das System, dass ein Fahrer gestresst oder überfordert und damit nicht mehr fahrtauglich ist, können autonome Fahrfunktionen zugeschaltet werden.
Datenschutz als Schlüssel zur Akzeptanz
Gleichzeitig zeigt der Demonstrator Szenarien für den Schutz personenbezogener Daten aus Biometrie und KI auf – ein essentieller Aspekt für die gesellschaftliche Akzeptanz solcher Technologien.
Quantenjahr in Einstein-Stadt
Dr Hans-Martin Rieser then explained DLR's contributions to the Quantum Year, which is being celebrated in Ulm — the birthplace of Albert Einstein — with a variety of events designed to spark the interest of Ulm residents of all ages in quantum technologies.
The DLR would like to thank everyone for their interest and for the constructive dialogue. Such discussions are essential for integrating safe AI technologies into the economy and society.
