Event description
Weidmüller visits KIO
from left: Guido Falkemeier, Dr. Christian von Toll, Anna-Lena Büker, Dr. Sebastian Durst, Leonie Hans, Boris Savic und Jan Willem Henckel
Date
Wednesday, 19. November 2025
Location
KreativInstitut.OWL
Bielefelder Straße 66a
32756 Detmold
In the middle of November, we welcomed Dr. Sebastian Durst (CEO of Weidmüller), Dr. Christian von Toll (CSO of Weidmüller), and Boris Savic (EVP of GMC) to KIO. The aim of the meeting was to learn about current research activities, the technical infrastructure, and the development opportunities at the Creative Campus Detmold. The visit also built on existing collaborations and served to explore joint perspectives for the coming years.
Previous collaborations
One of these collaborations is Anna-Lena's tandem position as part of the ProFuture project at TH OWL. She works both at KIO as a doctoral student in the field of generative AI and at Weidmüller in global marketing, forming a central interface between application-oriented research and business practice.
Thanks to existing contacts and a previous visit by Boris Savic in the summer, a joint digital project between Weidmüller and the KIO has already been implemented: The digital experience is based on the Gaussian splatting method, which we are also further developing and evaluating in terms of research as part of the project. To this end, we created 3D scans of various Weidmüller premises, including the newly built electronics plant in Detmold. On this basis, we developed a web application that offers Weidmüller customers new opportunities to interact with products and services in virtual spaces.
Digital Experience
Experience the KIO live
The visit began with a tour of the Media Production department and then continued in the KreativInstitut.OWL building. In the studios, laboratories, and workshops, guests were given a detailed insight into the technical infrastructure, the range of research fields, and the creative technologies being developed within the network.
The stations ranged from immersive XR environments to audiovisual experimentation rooms. In addition to the sound sample of SNAP IN technology, whose characteristic clicking sound was audibly demonstrated, development environments for digital product worlds were presented in the VR lab. In direct exchange with experts from the various research areas, it became clear how application-oriented and transdisciplinary the work at KIO is.
Outlook
The collaboration between KIO Detmold and Weidmüller combines creativity, research, and technology. Joint projects such as the Digital Experience and the close integration of science and practice create innovative impetus for marketing and digital solutions. The partnership strengthens the innovation ecosystem and opens up new opportunities for both sides.
Boris Savic, EVP GMC at Weidmüller
Another key topic of the meeting was the further expansion of the Creative Campus Detmold. The aim is to bring science, start-up culture, and the creative industries even closer together in one place. For companies such as Weidmüller, this creates new opportunities to take up research initiatives, jointly develop innovative approaches, and involve young talent at an early stage.
The visit highlighted how beneficial the collaboration already is today and the potential that lies in a long-term strategic partnership. Further deepening the cooperation is an important building block for jointly advancing digital products, experiences, and technologies in the regional innovation ecosystem.
