The Craziest Tech I Saw in Germany

(Image: iStock.com/A-D-F)

In the United States, we tend to fixate on Silicon Valley as the center of tech innovation. There are, of course, various hubs around the U.S. that produce cutting-edge tech and technology leaders (think New York, L.A., Chicago, Atlanta, and more). Yet, we often don’t pay attention to the technology coming from other parts of the world.

At the invitation of Germany Trade & Invest, the economic development agency of the Federal Republic of Germany, I was able to view some of the best technology in Germany.

When one thinks of technology, Germany may not be the first place that comes to mind. However, consider the industries Germany is most known for, such as automotive, aeronautics, and manufacturing–the blueprint for becoming a major tech force is set. In fact, Germany has already positioned itself as a contender in the tech innovation race.

I got an up-and-close look at German technology, at the Hub Conference in Berlin. The one-day event featured technology from German startups and the latest wares from several American companies, such as HP and Epson. The yearly conference, hosted by Bitkom, a consortium of tech companies, showcased the most future-forward technology from Germany and other parts of Europe, including other nations that Germany has investments in both socially and economically.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics were prominent. The reputed German love for efficiency, perhaps, makes AI and robots areas of special focus. Other tech at the conference included virtual reality, blockchain solutions, fintech, and data analytics.

Take a look at the slideshow to see some of the standout displays at the Hub Conference, 2016:

AI and robotics are hot in the German tech scene, as evidenced by this arthropod-like bot.

This robot can do intricate tasks, such as stacking LEGOs. The operator uses a touchscreen to show the robot what to do.

Although it looks like Darth Vader’s mask, this is a virtual reality (VR) headset. It’s a prototype to show how VR can be used to order supplies in manufacturing.

With the headset from the previous image, the wearer can order company supplies by “grabbing” them in virtual space using controllers as hands.

3D printers were also on display.

The 3D printer in the previous slide made images in the center of cake slices.

If you ever wanted to fly, you can do so virtually with this device from Icaros GmBH.

Part VR game and part exercise machine, you use your core muscles to operate the machine while wearing a headset, as you virtually fly though the air and navigate through hoops.

This is the offices of Wooga, a gaming company in Berlin. Privacy is big in Germany, and most companies and startups have these privacy phone booths.

Wooga’s colorful office.

Wooga’s office.

WERK1 is a huge incubator, co-working and event space in Munich.