Grand opening of the Bionic Intelligence Center Tübingen Stuttgart (BITS)

The research network Bionic Intelligence Tübingen Stuttgart (BITS) cordially invites media representatives to the opening ceremony.

When: Tuesday, May 20, 2025, admission from 5 pm, program starts from 6 p.m
Where: Klösterle, Kapuzinerberg 11, 71263 Weil der Stadt 

BITS is a joint initiative of the Universities of Stuttgart and Tübingen and the Max Planck Institutes for Intelligent Systems and for Biological Cybernetics with the aim of developing intelligent bionic systems for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological and psychiatric diseases.

Science Minister Petra Olschowski says: “Intelligent technology and health research come together at the new BITS Center for Bionic Intelligence. Our scientists are the best in the country in these areas. The pioneering research field of bionic intelligence pools existing expertise and offers enormous potential to help patients. Such innovations further strengthen Baden-Württemberg as a research and healthcare location.”

“BITS is a driving force for future medical technologies and addresses the major challenges of our time with its interdisciplinary research. The alliance strengthens the collaboration between the two universities by bringing together their complementary strengths and fostering successful cooperation between technical and medical disciplines,” emphasize Professor Dr. Peter Middendorf, Rector of the University of Stuttgart, and Professor Dr. Dr. h.c. (Dōshisha) Karla Pollmann, Rector of the University of Tübingen.

From tiny nanorobots in the human body and innovative plasters made from new materials to high-performance exoskeletons and artificial muscles - bionic systems are revolutionizing medicine and technology at all levels. They should be able to adapt to the individual needs of people with neurological disabilities and thus provide real support in their everyday lives. Around 50 researchers combine extensive expertise in areas such as materials science, neuroscience, biomedicine and robotics. “Our vision is to connect people and technology in a fundamentally new way,” explain the BITS spokespersons, Professor Dr. Syn Schmitt, Professor Dr. Sabine Ludwigs and Professor Dr. Martin Giese.

Exciting insights into BITS research await you at the opening event. The event will be held in English.

• • Opening speech by Dr. Hans J. Reiter, Ministerial Director at the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts
  • Science Talk on the use of robots to study animal locomotion and to assist people with reduced mobility by Professor Auke J. Ijspeert, EPFL Lausanne
  • Science Talk on human dynamic neurochemistry by Professor Read Montague, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia
  • Musical accompaniment by the One World String Quartet

Starting at 8:30 p.m., a get-together offers the opportunity to exchange ideas with guests and researchers.

Registration
Please register for the event via the BITS website.