16.04.2026

TU Ilmenau at the Hannover Messe

Logo der Messe HannoverHannover Messe

At Hannover Messe, the world’s leading industrial trade fair for technologies related to industrial transformation, the TU Ilmenau and the Thuringia State Patent Center (PATON) are presenting groundbreaking inventions and solutions for use in industry and everyday life. On display will be innovative drone technology for inspecting the condition of roads and transportation routes, technology for the automated assembly of rotor blades on wind turbines, an exoskeleton worn on the body to lift heavy objects, and high-precision technologies. The exhibits can be viewed at the Hannover Messe from April 20 to 24 in Hall 11, Booth B42, “Research for the Future.”

PropPlane Project: Drones autonomously inspect the condition of the road network in real time

Eine Drohne die neben dem Audimax fliegtTU Ilmenau/Aleksandra Beliautsou

Autonomous drones fly over our transportation network and report road damage in real time, enabling immediate warnings and prompt repairs—a vision of the future that could soon become a reality thanks to the PropPlane project at the Technical University of Ilmenau.
The research team from the Faculty of Computer Science and Automation is presenting a prototype of the drone at the Hannover Messe. Using LiDAR data—a technology for optical distance and speed measurement—the drone measures the road surface with high precision. This allows for the immediate analysis of road conditions, unevenness, and the geometry of the damage. Unlike the current method of monitoring the road network using vehicles, drones enable more frequent data collection over a larger area.

Patented technology makes the installation of rotor blades on wind turbines more precise, faster, and safer

In the construction of wind turbines, the installation of the rotor blades is one of the most complex and safety-critical steps. Currently, this is done primarily by hand using cranes—a process fraught with significant challenges: Coordination between the crane operator and the installation team is prone to errors, but above all, wind and the heavy weight of the components cause oscillating movements that not only make precise positioning difficult but also pose a high risk of damage due to potential collisions between the rotor blade and the hub. Added to this are long installation times, dependence on weather conditions, and high costs.

The system patented by the Thuringia State Patent Center (PATON) at the Technical University of Ilmenau enables automated assembly of the rotor blades. Camera-monitored, self-aligning guide elements control the coarse alignment, while Conical centering pins handle the precise fine-tuning—an automated assembly process that ensures uniform connection forces, reduces assembly errors, and prevents collisions between the blade root and the hub. The bolting process, which is monitored in real time for torque and preload, is also automated, thereby ensuring uniform connection forces. The technology, which can be used in both onshore and offshore installations, enables manufacturers and operators of wind turbines to perform high-precision, rapid assembly of rotor blades with significantly less dependence on wind, fog, and darkness, while simultaneously reducing assembly errors, improving workplace safety, and achieving substantial cost savings.

Exoskeleton enables the lifting of heavy loads while reducing strain on the arms and shoulders

Eine Person die ein Exoskelett trägt und damit Sachen anhebtTU Ilmenau/Felix Poppel

A lightweight exoskeleton that users strap on to lift and carry heavy loads is being presented at the Hannover Messe by the Technical University of Ilmenau and the company SUITX by Ottobock. The ergonomic, mechanically assisted lifting relieves strain on the arms and shoulders. The key feature of the exoskeleton is that no additional energy sources are required to assist with lifting. Instead, the system utilizes the body’s natural movements: During lifting, a simple mechanism stores energy from strong muscle groups and releases it during the actual lifting phase. This specifically relieves weaker muscle groups. The  particularly lightweight system, which can be easily attached to the body, can be used in both everyday life and industrial settings.

The Institute for Process Measurement and Sensor Technology presents high-precision measurement technology

PräzisionsmesstechnikTU Ilmenau/Oliver Birli

Scientists from the Institute of Process Measurement and Sensor Technology at the Technical University of Ilmenau are presenting sophisticated solutions for industry in the fields of nanopositioning, nanometrology, and temperature measurement technology at the Hannover Messe. Due to continuous advancements in nanotechnology, with structures becoming ever smaller, there is a growing need to detect, measure, and manipulate these minute structures. For example, nanopositioning and nanomeasurement technology is indispensable in precision manufacturing and the semiconductor industry.
The institute also presents temperature measurement technology that enables temperature measurements with the highest possible reliability. This is important, for example, in electric vehicle manufacturing to keep battery cells within an optimal temperature range and thus protect them from overheating. In climate research as well, metrologically traceable thermometers are essential for highly precise and internationally comparable measurements.

Download as PDF