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Logo WIWI with text "Department of Business and Economics"
Students walk across the campus north. A large red sculpture in the shape of large gears can be seen. © Roland Baege​/​TU Dortmund

Research in Focus: The professorship Digital Transformation at the TU Dortmund Summer Festival 2026

At this year's TU Dortmund Summer Festival 2026, the professorship Digital Transformation was represented with a booth and presented three current research projects to visitors:

FAIHRT

Visitors to our booth were able to learn more about our MERCUR-funded research project FAIHRT with the help of an AI-supported robot. The project investigates the human-centered design of fair human-robot teams and explores how humans and robots can successfully collaborate in future work environments. The focus lies on socio-technical teams, where technical aspects are just as important as social factors like fairness, roles, and cooperation. Together with our partners from the University of Duisburg-Essen, TU Dortmund University, and the Ruhr University Bochum, we are investigating when robots in teams are perceived as fair or unfair. The aim is to develop design recommendations so that future human-robot teams are not only efficient but also fair and accepted.

Further information on the FAIHRT project can be found at: https://dt.wiwi.tu-dortmund.de/forschung/forschungsprojekte/faihrt/

Two men stand outdoors behind a wooden information booth. The man on the left wears an FFP2 mask; the man on the right wears a dark blue shirt with light patterns. A monitor in the center of the table displays the "dt Digitale Transformation" logo and three smaller project logos. The table also holds two laptops, an orange lamp, informational flyers, and a small white humanoid robot. © Dana Hofmann​/​TU Dortmund
Björn Konopka, Vincent Heimburg and out robot at out booth

FlowAR 

We also presented our ERDF-funded (EFRE) research project flowAR at the summer festival. Visitors had the opportunity to interact with our first interactive prototype of the flowAR app, which clearly conveyed the concept and functionality of the research project. Attendees were able to familiarize themselves with the application and share their impressions directly with us. Additionally, they were specifically asked about suitable objects and possible application scenarios for the app. The feedback collected provides valuable insights for the further development of the project. Furthermore, a supplementary interactive prototype called glowAR was presented. In a specially developed box, visitors could alter projections themselves and experience firsthand how digital content reacts to physical objects and surfaces. 

Further information on the flowAR project can be found at: https://flowar.wiwi.tu-dortmund.de/

Opt-IN 

As part of an interactive "Data Mirror" (Datenspiegel), visitors could experience firsthand exactly what data connected smart home devices actually collect about them in their households. Many were surprised by the scope and type of the captured data, as well as the potential conclusions that can be drawn about personal habits and living conditions. In addition, the chair presented current research results from the Opt-IN project and discussed the opportunities and risks of a networked home with the guests. 

Further information on the Opt-IN project can be found at: https://dt.wiwi.tu-dortmund.de/forschung/forschungsprojekte/opt-in/

A young woman in a red t-shirt stands under a canopy on a sunny day, looking at a tablet in her hands. Behind her hangs a poster with the text "flow AR". Right next to it is a dark, open booth. Inside the booth, an illuminated, flat flower-shaped object lies on the floor. © Björn Konopka​/​TU Dortmund
Dana Hofmann in front of glowAW
A young man wearing glasses and an FFP2 mask stands outdoors behind a wooden table. On the table are a monitor displaying the website "DEIN DATENSPIEGEL", two open laptops, drinks, and a glowing orange cylindrical lamp. To the left of the stand is a grey partition board with two large posters about smart home privacy. © Dana Hofmann​/​TU Dortmund
The Opt-In banners at our booth
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