The main exhibiting areas for Hannover Messe 2025 will be Smart Manufacturing, Digital Ecosystems, Energy for Industry, Compressed Air & Vacuum Technology, Engineered Parts & Solutions, Future Hub and International Trade & Investment. A conference program with around 1,600 speakers will complement the exhibition. The 2025 partner country is Canada.
Jury chairman and president of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Prof. Holger Hanselka, said: "Innovations have never been more important than they are today, as they provide the basis for solving the defining challenges of our time. In this sense, the numerous exceptional submissions for the Hermes Award give me reason for optimism about the future. This year, the jury once again faced the demanding task of selecting just three finalists from a pool of outstanding entries. The three chosen projects vividly demonstrate how emerging technologies help overcome real-world challenges and how innovations become a tangible competitive advantage."
And the nominees are…
Igus: The nominated product, Mobile Shore Power Outlet (iMSPO), is an innovation in the shoreside power supply of ports. The system delivers a mobile and flexible solution by precisely positioning power outlets for ships along a berth, reaching distances of up to 400 meters exactly where needed. The power cables are routed in a roller-supported energy conduit specially engineered for long distances and heavy loads. This protects the cables from wear and tear and prevents tripping hazards. The system has both ecological and economic advantages: the fact that no diesel generators need to be used means that emissions of harmful substances are reduced at the ports. At the same time, the durable and low-maintenance system helps to reduce operating costs and maximize economic benefits for port operators.
Schaeffler: The XZU rolling bearing is a double-row oblique roller bearing designed with the same connection dimensions as standard cross-roller bearings available on the market, making it a seamless, one-to-one replacement. The arrangement of very small, cylindrical roller-like rolling elements in a double-row configuration means that the bearing increases tilt stiffness by 30%, reduces friction resistance by 20% and improves raceway accuracy by 40%. These advancements directly enhance the efficiency, productivity and thus also energy consumption per component. The market offers a wide range of applications for this new rolling bearing. This innovation is particularly valuable in fields such as robotics, assembly automation and machine tools.
Siemens: The nominated solution involves the AI-supported Industrial Copilot that increase the efficiency of the workforce by eliminating repetitive tasks and boosting productivity. The Industrial Copilot for Siemens' TIA Portal engineering framework, used by more than 120,000 professionals worldwide, enables, for example, engineers of all experience levels to write precise, reliable code significantly faster. Siemens offers an industrial-grade suite of Industrial Copilots that comprehensively covers the industrial value chain from design and planning right through to engineering, operations and service. This solution enables access to generative AI for a great many companies. Both cloud and on-premises versions are available, working locally on the shop floor to meet diverse requirements.
