April 20, 2024 
Professional magazine and portal dedicated to electronics 
With just a few days to go before the start of the official sps connect program, the final touches are being put to the agenda and event features. A particular highlight is the address to be given by the Minister President of Bavaria.
Further, a line-up of well-known industry experts are set to impart their updates and knowledge on up and coming technologies; these will be complemented by discussions and roundtables. From 24–26 November 2020 representatives from the automation industry can take part in an exciting and packed three days and make use of the platform following the event.
In the afternoon of the first day of the program, Mr Söder will be holding his address on the Main Stage. The Minister President of Bavaria, known for his affinity to industry and high-tech will use this opportunity to dialogue and offer a short Q&A session to participants.
In a well-conceived and compelling program for the virtual SPS Connect, the SPS team has focused on the relevant topics from the field of automation ranging from cybersecurity, production IT, robotics, functional safety, motion, DC infrastructure, and AI to intelligent operating concepts, sensor technology, industry 4.0, digital twins, and industrial communication. The interactive event will further delve into these topics in keynote sessions, expert talks, discussion panels, and contributions from exhibitors.
Highlights include a range of talks. Professor Thomas R. Köhler, researcher and expert on deep tech, for example, will be delivering a keynote talk on “Cyber security on the factory floor” on Thursday afternoon. In addition to typical attack scenarios, Professor Köhler will present possible solutions and provide concrete indications for more security in industry.
“Using service robot modules successfully and safely in intralogistics” is the focus of the talk by Dr. Manuel Schön, Product Manager Robotic, PM Controller from Pilz GmbH & Co. KG. Dr. Schön, expert in this dynamic field, will be featured on Thursday afternoon.
Matthias Loskyll, Director Advanced Artificial Intelligence from Siemens AG Factory Automation, will be presenting insights into the current topic of AI in his talk on “Industrial Artificial Intelligence – Future of Automation” on Wednesday afternoon. This will be complemented by further contributions in this area, for example a talk on “Artificial intelligence and IoT – drivers for industrial value generation” by Dr. Josef Waltl, Principal Group Program Manager, Industrial IoT/Manufacturing from Microsoft Deutschland GmbH.
However, as with the on-site event, the SPS Connect will be facilitating numerous possibilities to connect and exchange ideas. Upholding its reputation as a “working fair”, the virtual event will host a series of talks allowing deep exchange. These talks include, for example, a session on “Future of Industrial Communication - The Global Production Language OPC UA” which will feature representatives from the OPC Foundation, TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co.KG, and the HOMAG Group.
As ever, industry 4.0 is a major focal point in the industry, and comes to the fore in an expert discussion entitled “The Digital Twin - Heart of Industry 4.0”.
AI will not only be discussed but also practiced at the SPS Connect with matchmaking opportunities to be generated using the technology. Designed to bring together exhibitors and participants based on their profile data, user behavior, and the information they themselves provide on what they offer or need, the event promises to host a range of network opportunities. In this unusual year, the SPS is offering a 100% discount code: SPS2XNWBE, for all visitors to participate in the program and use the platform for exchange and dialogue from mid-November until the end of December.
The SPS Connect platform will be open until the end of the year allowing further matches and discussions. Participants can further continue their activities and benefit from the On-Demand content which will be made available.
Further details on the complete program and information on tickets can be found on sps-exhibition.com.
