Durst Group has announced a multi-year collaboration with TUM Venture Labs, a joint initiative of the Technical University of Munich and UnternehmerTUM, in the field of robotics, AI, and automation for industrial production.
As a platinum partner, Durst becomes part of the TUM Venture Labs ecosystem and the first Italian partner in this network.
At the centre of the collaboration is the Robotics/AI Lab within TUM Venture Labs in Munich, one of Europe’s leading deep-tech ecosystems for robotics, artificial intelligence, embedded systems, and industrial automation.
For Durst, this creates a new interface with young companies, researchers, students, and industry partners working on solutions for intelligent robotics, autonomous systems, human-robot interaction, industrial automation, simulation, embedded AI, physical AI, and digital twins.
The engagement is also part of Durst’s 90th anniversary program and a deliberate step from Brixen into the European robotics and AI network as with Kyveris, Durst is building an intelligent production system that connects machines, software, data, and artificial intelligence.
The AuRo-Layer extends this system to the physical level of production: robotics, material flow, and increasingly autonomous processes on the production floor.
The goal is production that operates more efficiently, transparently and reproducibly. Through its support of TUM Venture Labs, Durst is able to collaborate more closely with talents, founders, and research teams in robotics, AI, embedded systems, and industrial automation.
“Isolated machines are yesterday’s model. Production is becoming connected, learning and autonomous,” Durst Group CEO and co-owner Christoph Gamper said.
“With Kyveris, we are building the system for this. Munich is no coincidence for us. This is where talents turn research into products in short cycles. This is exactly the energy we are looking for.”
“Robotics and AI unfold their potential where they meet real industrial challenges. The partnership with Durst combines technological excellence, entrepreneurship, and concrete application. This creates a strong environment for new automation solutions around digital production,“ TUM Venture Labs CEO Dr. Philipp Gerbert said.
Durst Oceania managing director Matt Ashman added, “Durst has always been able to pivot and understand what the next big thing will be in the industry. We have always done that in our evolution from photography to large format inkjet to labels and ceramics.
“AI and automation are two of the next frontiers of technology in our industry and the companies that create partnerships and innovate in these areas are best placed to be the leaders of the future.”
The collaboration will also see regular expert exchange on concrete industry challenges and the joint development of entrepreneurship and innovation formats.
Durst aims to further contribute real production-related challenges where automation, robotics, AI-based process control, and physical workflows converge, with the resulting solutions intended not only for the printing industry, but also for adjacent and cross-industry applications.
“Robotics and AI are changing production. That much is clear. The only open question is the speed,” Gamper said.
“This requires new forms of collaboration: industry, research, start-ups, and talents at one table. Durst is not taking this path because it is a trend, but because 90 years of mechanical engineering only matter if you build the next step yourself.”
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