News
18.06.26
Open Innovation Days 2026
Two days, two venues, one goal: bringing innovation to life. With around 200 participants, the d.u.h.Group Open Innovation Days 2026 in Erkrath and Erlangen were a resounding success. The focus was on digital transformation, AI-powered simulation and the end-to-end digital thread.
The demands on the DACH economic region are growing: cost pressures, resource shortages and accelerated innovation cycles call for new solutions. This year’s Open Innovation Days organised by the d.u.h.Group demonstrated that these solutions already exist. At the Erkrath and Erlangen sites, specialists and managers came together to experience the current state of digital engineering first-hand.
Practical experience rather than dry theory
The d.u.h. Digital Thread live
At the heart of both events was the d.u.h. Digital Thread. We demonstrated how the seamless integration of software solutions – from the initial idea through to simulation and on to actual production – drastically reduces time-to-market.
An overview of the technical highlights:
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AI in Engineering: How Agentic AI and AI-powered simulations (Altair & Simcenter) are revolutionising the development process.
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Digital Twin: Virtual commissioning with Run & Create MyVirtual Machine to significantly reduce engineering times.
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Shop floor connectivity: Transparent manufacturing processes through IT-machine integration with Mcenter and adaptive process control (ACM).
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Immersive Collaboration: A particular crowd-puller was the Sony VR headset, which allowed CAD models to be explored and inspected in a spatial environment within the industrial metaverse.
Two sites, full of innovative drive
- In Erkrath (at Seco Tools), the focus was on the end-to-end process chain. Participants were able to follow live as a component moved from design through simulation straight onto the machine.
- In Erlangen (Siemens Experience Centre ‘The Impact’), the focus was on interactive in-depth sessions. At various stations, experts were able to explore specialist topics relating to PLM, ALM (Polarion) and complex simulation scenarios in greater depth.
Networking on an equal footing
Alongside the technical aspects, the focus was on dialogue. The high turnout of almost 200 people confirms the need for a platform that combines expert knowledge with practical application. The feedback from participants was clear: the combination of technical depth and genuine networking offers significant added value for day-to-day work.
“The feedback shows us that moving away from pure theory towards real-life scenarios is exactly the right approach. We help companies to view AI and digital processes not merely as buzzwords, but to use them as a measurable competitive advantage.”
– Conclusion by the d.u.h.Group management
The highlight: the debut of the d.u.h.Group roadshow truck
A special moment and the absolute highlight for many visitors: for the first time, attendees were able to experience our new d.u.h.Group Roadshow Truck (Colani Truck) in person. As a mobile innovation centre, it provided the perfect space for in-depth explorations of the world of simulation and digital twins.
The premiere marked the start of our 2026 roadshow across the DACH region. On site, guests were given exclusive insights into how the combined Simcenter and Altair portfolio shortens development cycles and reduces costs. In particular, the opportunity to secure a voucher for a bespoke SimSolid simulation calculation on the spot was met with an enthusiastic response and provided the ideal setting for in-depth technical discussions at an expert level.
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