Around 100 participants from research, business and practice came together at The Hochschule Niederrhein (HSNR) on 13 March 2026 to discuss the use of assistive technologies and the transfer of innovations at the "tech4cognition" event. The focus was on practical applications, interdisciplinary exchange and new impetus for the Rhine-Ruhr region.
One specialisation was on technical assistance systems that support people in their everyday lives - for example with age-related limitations, illnesses or in the context of ADHD. Among other things, solutions were presented that can relieve the burden on carers and help people in need of care to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible. In eight workshops, the participants worked intensively on specific issues and developed practical approaches together.
In addition, the focus was on application-orientated innovations from various specialist areas, including developments in textile technology and chemistry. Issues relating to the protection and economic utilisation of research results were also discussed. The researchers received support from the transfer organisations PROvendis and ZENIT, among others, who were on hand to provide advice.
The programme was complemented by an exhibition in which researchers presented their current work. It offered an insight into the thematic diversity of the projects and visualised the potential of future innovation and transfer activities.
tech4cognition" was organised by the Centre for Assistive Technologies (ZAT) Rhine-Ruhr, a research consortium of the HSNR, the Rhine-Waal and Bonn-Rhine-Sieg universities, the University of Duisburg-Essen and the innovation2business.nrw network, which strengthens knowledge and technology transfer in North Rhine-Westphalia. Both initiatives are sponsored by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The event was also supported by regional partners who contributed to the exchange and networking with their expertise.
