The FZI Research Center for Information Technology is a non-profit institution for applied research and technology transfer at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology KIT. Its mission includes providing companies and public institutions with the latest research findings in information technology and preparing young people for higher education, a business career or self-employment. Led by professors from various faculties, the research groups at the FZI work on an interdisciplinary basis to develop concepts and software, hardware and system solutions for their clients and turn their solutions into prototypes. The FZI is also part of the consortium that will be officially opening the Baden-Württemberg Autonomous Driving Test Ground on May 3, 2018. Visitors to HANNOVER MESSE 2018 have the opportunity to find out more about the various application scenarios beforehand.

At the test ground, research institutions and companies will be able to test future-focused technologies and services associated with networked and automated driving in everyday road traffic. The test ground covers self-driving cars, public transportation, commercial vehicles for areas such as road cleaning, and delivery services. The setup phase includes preparation of all kinds of road surfaces and installation of sensors to record the traffic and influencing factors in real time.