How Artificial Intelligence Shapes Our Everyday Lives
From seed technology to ski service: At the Long Night of Research, visitors to WINTERSTEIGER in Ried were able to experience how modern technologies are already shaping our everyday lives.
Can machines see, learn, and make decisions? WINTERSTEIGER explored this question during the Long Night of Research on Friday, making modern technology understandable and tangible for all visitors. The focus was on practical applications from the day-to-day operations of the machine and plant engineering company. At several stations, guests gained insight into the use of machine vision and machine learning—technologies that enable machines to capture and analyze visual information and continuously optimize processes.
The potential applications range from seed technology to ski service to woodworking and processing: “Our machines essentially see the wood surface with digital eyes: High-resolution scans automatically detect defects such as wind cracks or knotholes, while AI algorithms classify them in real time. Precisely controlled repair processes then ensure perfect surface quality,” explains Franz Gangl, Director Corporate Marketing & Communications, who, along with his team, was responsible for organizing the Long Night of Research at WINTERSTEIGER.
Special emphasis was placed on conveying the complex content in a clear and accessible way: Visitors were not only able to observe the various applications but also try them out for themselves—and in this way experience how research works in practice.