Whether robots in care, autonomous vehicles in road traffic or a more sustainable urban development: the real-world laboratories at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) bring science and society together to jointly test and shape the future. At the Real:lab Festival from 2 to 6 July 2024, anyone interested can experience for themselves what real-world laboratory research is all about and how they can get involved.
"In our real-world laboratories, civil society, companies, politics and the media exchange ideas with researchers about the challenges of our time, learn from each other and work together on sustainable solutions," says Professor Kora Kristof, Vice President Digitalisation and Sustainability at KIT. "Real-world laboratories are an important driver of sustainable development and an integral part of our research strategy. With lectures, workshops and hands-on activities, the festival now offers all interested parties the opportunity to experience our real-world laboratory research and understand how they can actively participate in shaping it." KIT is currently conducting research in its real-world laboratories on topics such as automated mobility, digital accessibility and assistive technologies, sustainable urban development, local climate protection, extreme weather in the city and robotic artificial intelligence.
Engine for Sustainable Development
The Real:lab Festival will open on Tuesday, 2 July at 7 pm with a panel discussion on the topic of "Real-world laboratories as a driver of sustainable development?" with representatives from science, business and society in cooperation with the Impact Hub Karlsruhe. During the week of the event, visitors can take part in a variety of different lectures, workshops and hands-on activities, such as a real-world lab pub quiz on 3 July, an open-air cinema followed by a discussion on 4 July and the experience day with a flea market, food trucks and experiment stands on Saturday, 6 July. In addition, Kronenplatz itself will be transformed into an experimental space for the duration of the festival, allowing people to try out what a future worth living might look like in the real world.
About the Real:lab Festival
The Real:lab Festival is organised by TRIANGEL Transfer | Kultur | Raum in cooperation with the Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS) and the KIT Centre for Man and Technology. (mhe)
Details on the KIT-Center Humans and Technology
In close partnership with society, KIT develops solutions for urgent challenges – from climate change, energy transition and sustainable use of natural resources to artificial intelligence, sovereignty and an aging population. As The University in the Helmholtz Association, KIT unites scientific excellence from insight to application-driven research under one roof – and is thus in a unique position to drive this transformation. As a University of Excellence, KIT offers its more than 10,000 employees and 22,800 students outstanding opportunities to shape a sustainable and resilient future. KIT – Science for Impact.