The AIT open-air test site for autonomous machines
The automation of work machines, such as cranes and forklift trucks, is a strategic research goal of the AIT Center for Vision, Automation & Control (VAC). In the future, these machines will take over repetitive and dangerous tasks. The aim is twofold: firstly, to relieve the burden on employees and enhance their role, as they will be responsible for planning and monitoring in the future, and secondly, to counteract the shortage of skilled workers.
To enable automation, many complex issues need to be investigated, ranging from environment recognition and interpretation to machine control and human-machine interaction.
For validation and testing purposes, the AIT has set up its own open-air test site for autonomous machines in Seibersdorf.
Demo Day 2025
Around 70 experts from various industries, research partners, stakeholders and media representatives accepted our invitation to visit the Large-Scale Robotics Lab on 15 May 2025, where they witnessed the autonomous loading of tree trunks and pallets.
Research Groups Involved
Associated Research Topics and Solutions
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