EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

“Chronoloom” is a mutual synchronization validation project in a joint collaboration of the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems and other research facilities. 
Dr. Lucas Wetzel and his team developed a decentralized approach to synchronization (self-synchronizing oscillators, SSO) and plan to start up a company or enter a Technology-Transfer program with this concept. The technology is currently in an early stage of development and building and assessing a portfolio of market opportunities before entering a specific market is therefore crucial for future success.

Goal

To establish a company and exploit the technology to its full potential, knowledge upon commercial possibilities is needed. Using the Technological Competence Leveraging (TCL) approach, the goal was therefore to present an exhaustive collection of potential application fields. Based on this, an in-depth analysis was performed for four highly promising fields, where the objective was to provide the project partner with a list of key players and possible partnerships, as well as to offer insight into the state-of-the-art technology. Additionally, the company’s possible competitive position was explored for each of the identified application fields. The final objective was to develop strategic recommendations for “Chronoloom” regarding the question which field might hold the most potential for future success and to derive possible exploitation strategies. 

Methodology

An analysis of the technology from the user’s perspective was first carried out in order to obtain a non-technical and problem-based description of the technology. This allowed for efficient communication with potential future users. 39 interviews were conducted with experts from numerous fields, ranging from university professors in the field of natural sciences to finance specialists and aerospace engineers. Moreover, an extensive desk research was carried out to gather an exhaustive list of potential application fields. Four highly promising fields were chosen in accordance with the project partner, and analyzed regarding possible, current solutions and problem-solution fit, among others. Furthermore, a SWOT analysis was performed for each field. Additionally, a technology roadmap was created for the field of highest potential.

Results

The results give a vivid insight into the market possibilities of the new technology. In total, 31 fields of application were found: 11 of high, 8 of medium, and 12 of low potential. Precision Agriculture, Power Grid, Satellite Coordination and Warehouse Automation have been identified as the four most promising fields. The further research of these fields provided more detailed insights and as a result, Warehouse Automation was chosen as the first application field to implement the technology. Besides, the implications provide the project partner with recommendations for action, including key elements for funding and suggested steps to establish the technology in a market.

Cooperation Partner

• Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems
  Nöthnitzer Str. 38
  01187 Dresden
  Germany
  chronoloom.com

Contact Person

• Dr. Lucas Wetzel - lwetzel@chronoloom.com

Student Team

• Karic Elen

• Koglgruber Manuel

• Harrer Paul Eduard

• Huber Sonja

• Machalik Stefan

• Roth Fabian Jonas

• Schneider Michael

• Yousefi Fatemeh Sadat

Project Manager

• Klaus Marhold, Ph.D.