The "Integrated Technology Roadmap Automation 2015+" published in autumn 2006 was a complete success. It met with a great response in the automation industry because it provided important orientation and impetus for future automation requirements based on socio-economic trends and was unique in this form to date. The Technology Roadmap working group in the Automation Association of the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (ZVEI) therefore recommended that the roadmapping process be continued.

Selected future markets in the application areas of energy and water/wastewater were analysed in greater depth and from an even more international perspective. In addition, "The development of megacities" was analysed as an overarching topic with its particular challenges in the area of infrastructure. The respective automation requirements were worked out with regard to transport infrastructure, energy supply and water supply and disposal. The fruitful approach of involving both automation manufacturers and users was retained as an important element of a successful innovation strategy. Expert interviews and a total of 12 expert-user workshops, in which automation requirements were identified and future visions derived, were therefore once again a key component. The work on the topic of megacities was rounded off by two delegation trips (to Shanghai in 2009 and to Abu Dhabi and Dubai in 2010).

The results are documented in sector-specific roadmaps and can be obtained from the ZVEI.

More info

An overview of the Energy Roadmap can be found in the magazine Current technology (3/10) and can be here can be downloaded free of charge in PDF format.