How are wide-bandgap technologies, modern processors, and artificial intelligence transforming technology? Find out in this technical lecture with Prof. Jens Onno Krah. Afterward, you'll also have the opportunity to deepen your expertise through discussions with industry experts and peers.
Date: 25 November 2026 | 4:45–6:00 p.m
Location: Nuremberg Exhibition Centre | SPS Technology Stage, Hall 3
Free to attend.
Power electronics meets automation
Join us for an inspiring talk on the latest developments at the intersection of power electronics and automation as part of the official SPS Expo 2026 presentation program in Nuremberg, Germany. The session will explore current technological trends and challenges, based on the example of modern drive technology.
Following the presentation, participants will be invited to continue the conversation, exchange ideas, and expand their professional network with other attendees.
Get even more out of your visit to the SPS Expo and gain valuable insights, discover new perspectives, and connect with industry experts.
Automation Drives – Intelligent Motion Balancing Cost, Efficiency and Physical AI
Innovations in power semiconductor technology are creating new opportunities for modern automation drives. Wide-bandgap power semiconductors enable ever higher switching frequencies, while simultaneously reducing conduction losses. Combined with high-performance processors featuring integrated motor-control peripherals, they make higher efficiencies and—with shorter control cycle times—significantly larger control bandwidths possible.
However, the integration of software IP (particularly AI) remains a key challenge, as does the implementation of functional safety features due to automation drives lacking standardized software interfaces.
While RT-Linux operating systems with containerized applications have become widely adopted across manufacturers in the field of programmable logic controllers (PLCs), automation drives still lack a standardized framework or operating system. The standardization of software interfaces will prove highly beneficial to accelerating the market adoption of innovative solutions such as AI.
About Prof. Jens Onno Krah
Prof. Jens Onno Krah studied electrical engineering at the University of Wuppertal and earned his doctorate in 1993 at its Department of Electrical Machines and Drives. Until February 2004, he was responsible for the development of Kollmorgen servo drives in his role as Head of Engineering.
He has taught control engineering, motion control, FPGA-based digital signal processing and functional safety at TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences since 2004.
From April 2014 to March 2017, Prof. Krah took a leave of absence to further develop patents that had been created during projects with Beckhoff Automation in Verl.
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