Juror Rolf Najork: The ctrlX developR Challenge is an opportunity for all
Turning ideas into projects – that is the objective of the ctrlX developR Challenge. Developers can still apply until 31 December. The international competition invites you to realize visions for innovative automation solutions with the ctrlX CORE control platform. But what does the jury pay special attention to and why is this challenge much more than a hackathon? Rolf Najork, jury member and Member of the Board of Management of Robert Bosch GmbH, answers this question and more.
Mr. Najork, why does this competition make a decisive contribution to innovations that have a high practical benefit?
If anyone knows in which application areas there is a real need, it is those who use automation solutions in practice. Often the best product ideas arise from a specific requirement. Users are therefore predestined to provide impulses for innovations with high benefits. In the challenge, they can develop concrete solutions from their ideas, which will then ideally flow into ctrlX AUTOMATION – the most versatile, open and powerful automation platform on the market. It is no coincidence that this ecosystem thrives on the strengths of Bosch Rexroth, third-party suppliers and users.
Can you tell us what is particularly important to you when it comes to the participants’ ideas? What criteria is your decision based on?
Generally, we as the jury pay attention to the idea and the approach, technical methods and implementation, added value, potential and the marketing concept and the final pitch presentation. For me as Member of the Board of Management, the business and market potentials are of course particularly interesting. So I ask myself questions such as: Which functionality is most likely to make it to market? Does it have high added value for users? A brilliant idea is the basis, but ultimately it’s also important to convince with an appropriate marketing concept. We challenge the participants on different levels – but they also receive active support from their mentors and experts.
What is the significance of this competition for Bosch Rexroth?
The Factory of the Future is highly variable and connective. At its center are software-based, automated and connected solutions. Bosch Rexroth sets new standards here and is investing to develop this segment. In the past two years, for example, we have been able to secure a strong market position in the Factory Automation division with the ctrlX AUTOMATION platform, which redefines automation from the ground up. Among other things, this is due to the high innovative strength of the solution, which is designed to be both technologically open and open to co-creation. Many new features and improvements are the result of close collaboration with our partner companies and users. The ctrlX developR Challenge also relies on this principle. Ideally, it brings out unprecedented features for us as a company to embed in the ecosystem, all the while nurturing talent. All in all, it’s an opportunity for everyone.
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Rolf Najork
Member of the Board of Management of Robert Bosch GmbH