Institute for Automation and Communication

The ifak - Institute for Automation and Communication, founded in 1991 from the university, is an independent engineering research institute in the state capital of Saxony-Anhalt. It is a member of the German Industrial Research Association Konrad Zuse e.V. with more than 80 institutes throughout Germany. ifak is located in the Denkfabrik (think tank) in the science port of Magdeburg. 

What we can

The institute carries out applied research on “Information and Communication Technology and Automation”, “Water and Energy”, “Measurement Technology and Power Electronics” and “Transport and Assistance”. The ifak is thus active in several forward-looking areas of the German government's high-tech strategy. Research and development projects in the fields of IoT and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are examples.

What we do

In around 75 projects of research annually, ranging from feasibility studies to complex development projects, ifak is a partner to industry. It is a reflection of the cross-sectional character of automation and information technology that the customers come from the widest range of industries in addition to electrical engineering.

In keeping with the non-profit character of the institute, ifak is especially involved in precompetitive cooperation projects for which research funding can be obtained at European and German federal level as well as from industrial organisations. Academic reputation of ifak is reflected by its recognition as the first institute affiliated to the Otto-von-Guericke-University of Magdeburg. The institute’s national and international network of cooperation is complemented by its active participation in a wide range of expert committees. Nearly 75 % of the more than 50 fulltime staff of the interdisciplinary ifak team are scientists.