Live Demo Day at the Large-Scale Robotics Lab
On 15 May 2025, at the Demo Day held at the Large-Scale Robotics Lab of the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, our autonomous machines demonstrated their ability to perform tasks safely and reliably, even in challenging weather conditions. This is significant, as pouring rain, blinding sunshine and reflective puddles typically push sensor and control technology to its limits.
Our work machines in action
- The autonomous forestry crane independently loaded and unloaded tree trunks from a truck.
- The autonomous forklift took over the loading and unloading of pallets onto a truck.
While the machines worked outdoors with confidence, our 65 guests – industry, research and stakeholder group experts – watched from the dry comfort of tents at a safe distance. This realistic scenario illustrates what could soon become a reality: Autonomous machines will take over unpleasant, repetitive and dangerous tasks, thereby reducing staff workload. In the future, humans will take on a supervisory role and be able to control entire fleets of machines centrally.
Knowledge transfer and exchange on equal terms
In addition to the live demonstrations, the Demo Day offered a varied supporting programme. Exciting short presentations by our industry partners and AIT experts provided valuable insights into the current state of technology. An interactive exhibition showcased a variety of autonomous applications across different sectors, including agriculture, forestry, construction, logistics, and mining. It also addressed issues related to safety and legal frameworks.
The combination of specialist presentations, live demonstrations, and an interactive exhibition format fostered ideal conditions for professional networking and the formation of new partnerships. Manufacturers, developers and suppliers seized the opportunity to collaborate with the AIT to identify new innovation potential and explore the future of autonomous machines. This strengthens the AIT's position as a leading technology partner for automated machines and large-scale robotics in Europe.
For more information please also check:
Press release (only in German)
A big thank you
to our speakers Sebastian Wimmer (PALFINGER), Wolfgang Pointner (AGILOX), Andreas Kugi (AIT), Patrik Zips (AIT), Markus Murschitz (AIT), Christoph Fröhlich (AIT), Johannes Huemer (AIT), Andreas Vrabl (AIT),
and to everyone who contributed and made this day such a great success!
