Research meets play instinct - How fischertechnik is shaking up network security

Secure networks are a must in industry – but how do you test new protection mechanisms without putting a real factory at risk? The Esslingen University of Applied Sciences has found a clever solution for this: With the 24V factory simulation system from fischertechnik, research, simulation, and experimentation are carried out to the fullest extent.

Miniature factory, big impact

Instead of expensive and risky experiments on real production lines, the flexible model factory from fischertechnik is used here. Conveyor belt, crane, high-bay warehouse – everything is there, just in a smaller scale. This allows complex production processes and even cyberattacks to be realistically simulated without triggering a major alarm.

Cyberattacks you can experience firsthand

What does it actually look like when a hacker attack tricks the light barrier? Or how does a firewall affect data traffic? In the model factory, such scenarios are not only played out theoretically but made directly visible and tangible. Students can get hands-on, program, wire, and observe the effects of their work live.

Prof. Dr. Tobias Heer, Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology and Professor at Esslingen University of Applied Sciences. Image: Esslingen University of Applied Sciences

Info box: Esslingen University

Locations

Esslingen am Neckar and Göppingen

Number of students

6,300 young people

Range of applications:

The range of subjects extends from engineering and economics to social sciences.

Number of degree programs:

25 bachelor's and 13 master's degree programs

Research to Participate In

The model factory is not only a playground for technology enthusiasts but also a real crowd-puller. At events like the open house day, visitors can try out for themselves how modern production and network security are connected – all in a safe miniature format.

24 V Factory Simulation

The 24V factory simulation from fischertechnik enables realistic reproduction of industrial processes in model scale. It is modular, flexibly expandable, and ideal for practical research, teaching, and the clear demonstration of complex production processes.

The students Lukas Köder and Samuel Müller are working with the fischertechnik learning factory at the Esslingen University of Applied Sciences. This allows for a realistic model environment to be created for highly networked production processes. Image: Esslingen University of Applied Sciences

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Research meets play instinct:

How fischertechnik is shaking up network security

Miniature factory, big impact

Cyberattacks you can experience firsthand

Info box: Esslingen University

Research to Participate In

24 V Factory Simulation