Maha Maschinenbau, based in Haldenwang, reports on a continued research collaboration with the Kempten University of Applied Sciences in the Allgäu. The aim is to strengthen the region's technology hub and develop suitable testing equipment specifically in the field of automated and digitized vehicles. The long-standing partnership has been extended for another four years. Investments for developing testing equipment for self-driving, fully digitized vehicles will amount to around 250,000 euros annually, totaling one million euros, according to the report.
The project was decided in collaboration with the management and the advisory boards of the Rauch Family Foundation, which was established in 2011 to preserve the company. The continued initiative is intended to support the innovative strength of the Allgäu region, it states.
“The systematic promotion of research and technology is essential for us to actively shape the mobility of tomorrow,”
says Dr.
Peter Geigle, CEO of the Maha Group. Positive effects for economic development are expected, especially from long-term collaborations with leading scientific institutions, as the results of top-tier research can be directly applied in practice.
More Precision with AI, Robots, Simulations
To promote innovations, the Maha research area has been expanded over the past two years. Currently, a team of six dedicates itself exclusively to "groundbreaking developments." Among the first successful research projects are an AI-supported, robot-controlled inspection system called Maha Autonomous Inspection Assistant (Maia), a test stand for ADAS systems with over-the-air simulation called Maha Adaptive System Tester (Mast), and light field measurement: an innovative measurement technology that allows vehicle headlights to be calibrated precisely.
Diverse Benefits
The added value for Kempten University of Applied Sciences lies in the fact that scientific developments can be tested directly in practice, further developed "at
the highest level," and integrated with teaching. Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Hauke, President of Kempten University of Applied Sciences and a member of the advisory and foundation council of the nonprofit Rauch Family Foundation from 2018 to 2020, believes the entire region benefits from the "targeted transfer of knowledge and technology."
Dr. Geigle argues that the scientifically-industrial partnership, strengthened by investments, serves as a foundation and prerequisite for further "technological breakthroughs." The mechanical engineering company expects the cooperation to sustainably strengthen the Allgäu technology hub. As a pioneer in the development of vehicle testing equipment, it aims to consistently pursue the path of offering "future-oriented solutions."
The mechanical engineering company, founded in 1969 by Winfried Rauch among others, manufactures at its headquarters in Haldenwang and, since the turn of the millennium, in the USA, employing over 1,000 people today. There are 19 subsidiaries
worldwide. In addition to Kempten University, Maha is also connected with other scientific institutions such as the Fraunhofer Institute. Research networks also exist to promote the latest developments as well as close cooperation with other regional companies. Another partnership was recently established to develop testing facilities for autonomous driving. Its advanced projects and solutions were recently presented on a larger scale at the Automechanika 2024 in Frankfurt.
The globally active company enjoys high international esteem, as demonstrated by a major contract in Turkey in 2007: Maha equipped 189 sites spread across the country with a total of 459 test lines for TÜV Turk. To secure the company, Maha was incorporated into the Rauch Family Foundation in 2011. Other milestones in its success story include being named "World Market Leader" in the field of workshop and motor vehicle testing equipment in 2016 and
