INT | Innovation Research and Technology Foresight

The "Innovation Research and Technology Foresight" (INT) department monitors, identifies, analyzes, and evaluates technologies and their current as well as anticipated developments. On this basis, it develops insights into long-term technological futures. Potential innovations are made visible, as well as the underlying multifactorial interconnections.

This knowledge is applied in strategic decision-making situations for the Federal Ministry of Defense (BMVg), other public clients and across different industries.

By combining proven methods of futurology – such as technology scanning and monitoring, scenario techniques, roadmapping, participatory processes utilizing specifically developed assistance systems and AI-based processes – technological change can be anticipated at an early stage. Associated opportunities and risks can be assessed and possible approaches for technology transfer can be identified. This science-based process provides valuable input for future-oriented, strategic decision-making.  

Defense Technology Foresight

The research group “Defense Technology Foresight” continuously provides information regarding long-term technological developments and trends relevant to the defense sector, as input into strategic R&T planning for the Federal Ministry of Defense as well as for EDA and NATO. Its core product is the Defense Technologies Forecast (WTV). 

Corporate Technology Foresight

The research group “Corporate Technology Foresight” supports technology-intensive companies with scientifically sound, trustworthy foresight. Its mission is to make technological change visible at an early stage, to thoroughly assess the associated opportunities and risks and thereby to identify suitable approaches for technology transfer.

Public Technology and Innovation Planning

The research group “Public Technology and Innovation Planning” supports public clients by providing strategic planning assistance. Strategic innovation needs in this area arise from the necessity to adapt to significant societal changes, such as digitalization, climate change, or fundamental changes in global security. The aim is to promote the further and new development of capabilities by identifying specific innovation needs and co-creating tailored technical and process-oriented solutions.

KATI^® Lab

The central topic of the “KATI^® Lab” is the research on data-driven methods for technology foresight (Data-Driven Foresight) and their implementation into the KATI^®-system (“Knowledge Analytics for Technology and Innovation”-system). KATI^® provides comprehensive analytical capabilities based on publications and patents. Key tasks include researching new data-analytical analytical methods and transferring them into the continuous development of the KATI^®-system to adapt it to new customer requirements.

Technology Foresight and University Hub

"Technology Foresight and University Hub" has two main tasks. The first is the development and implementation of methods and tools for innovation research and technology foresight, to support the department's innovation research and technology foresight in projects and to further develop processes and to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the work. The other task is the coordination of university collaborations. Close cooperation with universities promotes mutual knowledge exchange, joint projects and the integration of research and practice, including the supervision of theses and research assistants, as well as the organization of courses.

Official bodies and networks

• Bonn Network International Civil Protection and Disaster Risk Reduction
• Expert Group under the Community for European Research and Innovation for Security (CERIS)/DG HOME: Strengthened Security Research and Innovation (SSRI)
• Digitale.Medizin.NRW.
• DIN Standards Committee Ergonomics (NAErG): NA 023-00-07 AA Ageing Societies
• EDA – CapTech CBRN & Human Factors
• EDA – CapTech Space
• European Association of Research and Technology Organisations (EARTO): Working Group Security and Defense Research
• Expert Commission on Heavy Rainfall 2021
• Expert Group for Civil Security Research/ Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space
• Fachgruppe Betrieb von Informations- und Kommunikationssystemen der Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI)
• German Practitioner Network for Civil Security Research (ForAn)
• Fraunhofer Segment for Defense and Security VVS
• Civil Security Research Innovation Cluster (InCluSiF)
• ISO/TC 314/ WG7 "Smart multigenerational neighbourhoods"
• Kompetenznetzwerk Bibliometrie
• NATO-SPS Independent Scientific Evaluation Group (ISEG)
• NATO-STO Technology and Science Incubation (TSI) Scientific and Technical Committee
• NATO-STO-RTG-SAS-200 "AI tools for Operational Planning"
• NATO-STO-RTG-SAS-203 "Cross-alliance societal attitudes to Emerging and Disruptive Technology"  
• NATO-STO-RTG-SAS-HFM-211 "Research Pipeline Readiness for Emerging and Disruptive Technology"
• Netzwerk Technikfolgenabschätzung
• Netzwerk Zukunftsforschung e.V.
• Societal Resilience Cluster of Horizon Europe Projects

Collaboration

• Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences
• Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences
• Freie Universität Berlin
• University of Bonn
• RWTH Aachen University
• Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt
• Technische Hochschule Köln