Success story in Knowledge and Technology Transfer at the University of Stuttgart

At Europe’s largest trade fair for intralogistics LogiMAT, taking place from 25th until 27th February 2014 in Stuttgart, the double-skid system produced by Eisenmann (Böblingen) was awarded the “best product” in the category “procuring, conveying, storing“.

The University of Stuttgart also had cause for celebration: this autonomous transport unit was developed at the Institute of Conveying Technologies and Logistics (IFT) under the management of Prof. Karl-Heinz Wehking and registered for patent approval in cooperation with the Technology Licencing Bureau (TLB) of Baden-Württemberg’ Hochschulen GmbH (Karlsruhe).

In many business fields small autonomous machines are replacing an increasing number of large and centrally controlled systems. A prime example of this development is the invention of the double-skid system in the field of intralogistics. This is a small self-propelled lift truck, able to lift and transport pallets and other charge carriers.

The double-skid system independently drives under pallets. With a dead weight of less than 100 kilograms, the means of transport stems loads up to one ton via rotation movements of its four drive units.

Head of the IFT Institute Prof. Karl-Heinz Wehking: “The driverless double-skid system revolutionises the operational sequences in transport and warehouse logistics. The fields of application are diverse and the investment and maintenance costs comparatively low.“

Prof. Thomas Graf, Pro-Rector Knowledge and Technology Transfer, underlined the significance of transfer activities for the University of Stuttgart and described the licencing of the double-skid system as one of the greatest and financially most successful licence sales to date:

“In July 2013 the University of Stuttgart and Eisenmann concluded a licencing and development agreement. We are delighted with the award from the LogiMAT trade fair since the double-skid system is a prime example for us of the successful cooperation between the University of Stuttgart and partners from industry and business.“

Further information:
Dr. Hans-Herwig Geyer, Head of University Communication and Press Spokesperson,

University of Stuttgart,
Tel.: 0711/685-82555, Email: hans-herwig.geyer [at] hkom.uni-stuttgart.de