Member university · Karlsruhe, Germany
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
- Status
- Member of the SUGAR Network
- Location
- Karlsruhe, Germany
- Continent
- Europe
- Website
- kit.edu
SUGAR projects with KIT.
BioNetA decentralised biogas network that turns farm waste into biomethane for Intel's Irish campus.Intel IrelandDublin IE · Karlsruhe DE
Problem
Intel Ireland needs large amounts of natural gas and wants to cut fossil-fuel dependency. Ireland lacks the renewable infrastructure and biowaste to meet that demand.
What they built
Participating farms receive anaerobic digesters. BioNet collects the biogas, upgrades it to biomethane on the Intel campus and coordinates logistics, regulatory compliance and technical support for farmers.
Impact
Farmers gain a new revenue stream with technical and regulatory help. Intel reduces reliance on fossil fuels and lowers carbon emissions.
HUKKIAn AI-powered digital assistant that gives insurance customers round-the-clock, personalised help and seamless handovers.HUK-CoburgKarlsruhe DE · Potsdam DE
Problem
Customers expect seamless, transparent interactions with their insurer, especially in sensitive situations. Insurers must combine digital technology with personal consultation while staying cost-efficient.
What they built
HUKKI is an intelligent first point of contact that understands customer needs and guides them to solutions. When a human is needed, it hands over with full context so nothing is repeated.
Impact
Customers get help any time and understand complex procedures. Service teams are freed for complex or high-priority cases.
SUGAR CompanionA Notion workspace that centralises templates, schedules and know-how for Kenyan teaching teams joining SUGAR.GIZKarlsruhe DE · Potsdam DE · Nairobi KE
Problem
Kenyan lecturers juggle heavy teaching loads while vital SUGAR templates and contacts sit scattered across Slack threads and drives. New teaching teams lose weeks hunting for basics.
What they built
The SUGAR Companion combines a Daily Dashboard, a step-by-step Task Compass, an AI-assisted Knowledge Hub and a Responsibility Map in one hub for Kenyan universities.
Impact
Onboarding becomes a guided sprint and students get better-prepared mentors. The network gains a replicable entry kit for expansion into Africa and beyond.
InsightsOutA programme and web app that bring public and museum perspectives into B2B innovation, for ZEISS and ZKM.ZEISS / ZKMPotsdam DE · Karlsruhe DE
Problem
Established B2B companies must innovate in unexplored fields with little knowledge of the future. How can public spaces such as museums feed their early innovation process?
What they built
InsightsOut connects innovators, curators, artists and the public through panel discussions, a museum exhibition and a web application with a chatbot that retrieves everything the ecosystem has learned.
Impact
Companies gain external perspectives on societal trends. Museums stay relevant, artists work freely and the public shapes future development.
STEPA one-stop tool that helps international master students with applications, networking and module selection, for KIT.Karlsruhe Institute of TechnologyKarlsruhe DE · Dublin IE
Problem
How can institutions such as KIT or TCD digitally support incoming international students in English-language master's programmes with their academic goals and personal development?
What they built
STEP streamlines application management, helps students build a social network and guides them through module selection in one tool.
Impact
International students overlook nothing in the administrative process, find connections faster and align module choices with career goals.
DriveAutoA remote-service dashboard that connects technicians and customers with live assistance and automatic documentation.SEW EurodriveKarlsruhe DE · Dublin IE
Problem
SEW needs to integrate a remote service option into its maintenance offering. Customers expect convenient support, and the choice affects profitability and competitiveness.
What they built
DriveAuto bundles Live Assistance, Serial Lookup, Automatic Documentation, Call Invitation and a Knowledge Base so technicians spend less time on manual tasks and more on customers.
Impact
Customers get prompt help without on-site visits; response times and downtime fall. Technicians work more efficiently.
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InCosyA system that collects caregivers' concerns at shift handover and matches them with product solutions.Diakonie BadenMannheim DE · Karlsruhe DE
Problem
How might a scalable solution help caregivers take charge of their own well-being and create an attractive work environment?
What they built
InCosy records concerns during shift handovers and suggests curated products. Chosen solutions go to the home lead for purchase and a guided team briefing; caregivers give regular feedback.
Impact
Caregivers shape procurement, home leads find the right tools faster and Diakonie becomes a more attractive employer.
PowerPilotA machine-learning tool that schedules industrial cooling to cut energy costs and carbon emissions.GEAPotsdam DE · Karlsruhe DE
Problem
Industrial heating and cooling cause around 10% of industry's carbon emissions. GEA sought a data-driven way to optimise energy use in its compressors and chillers.
What they built
PowerPilot predicts future cooling demand from historical data and optimises machine usage by energy price, carbon emissions or both, including on-site solar power, across one or many plants.
Impact
Lower operating costs and emissions for users. GEA gains a platform that answers customers' demand for carbon-footprint reduction.
Center PieceA platform where citizens and museums co-create courses, debates and stories from museum content.Badisches LandesmuseumKarlsruhe DE · Warsaw PL
Problem
Bring the museum and its target groups closer together and make the museum part of people's everyday life.
What they built
Center Piece lets museums and users build modules such as mini-courses, activities or debates from online catalogues, using videos or chatbots. It integrates with existing online behaviour rather than replacing it.
Impact
The museum reaches people who never visited and learns from them. Users get a place to experiment, share skills and find like-minded people.
CircuitAn app and in-car extension that plan and accompany seamless road trips in an electric Porsche.PorschePotsdam DE · Karlsruhe DE
Problem
With the Taycan, Porsche enters the electric market and user experience matters as much as technology. How might customers of an electric Porsche enjoy a seamless experience?
What they built
CIRCUIT recommends trips to personal taste, books tables and charging stops, transfers everything to the in-car system during the drive and keeps photos and driving statistics afterwards.
Impact
Less planning and no range fear, so owners drive more. Shared memories advertise Porsche and strengthen loyalty.
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RESTARTA holistic reintegration concept with a printed guide for Ghanaian returnees from Germany.GIZKarlsruhe DE
Problem
Ghanaian returnees with lower education lack economic perspectives at home. Support services exist, but their offerings are not transparent.
What they built
RESTART begins in Germany once someone decides to return. A paper-based RESTART GUIDE provides inspiration, motivation and orientation on the economic reintegration journey.
Impact
Returnees get emotional accompaniment and support for training and jobs. GIZ gains trust and a blueprint for other countries of origin.