Fraunhofer Center for Assistive Information and Communication Solutions – AICOS
03.02.2026
Fraunhofer Portugal AICOS and RAMADA Aços, a leading player in the steel manufacturing industry, have successfully concluded a pilot project that marks the culmination of a highly rewarding collaborative journey. What began as an open day evolved into a structured innovation journey – from an ideation workshop and exploratory data analysis to a proof of concept and, finally, the deployment of a pilot solution that demonstrates the real-world potential of AI to enhance administrative processes.
From Vision to Reality
This project represents the materialization of strategic research vision with strategic business vision towards the design, development, and adoption of AI solutions that assist employees in their day-to-day activities. The combined initiative demonstrates FhP-AICOS’ expertise in Digital Industry, particularly in the area of evidence creation and process optimisation, where technology serves as an enabler for smarter, more efficient, and data-driven operations.
By following a structured, step-by-step process – from ideation to proof of concept – FhP-AICOS and RAMADA ensured that the adoption of AI was guided by real operational needs. The result is a solution that delivers tangible business value while ensuring robust performance and user confidence across real industrial settings.
A key success factor of this initiative has been RAMADA’s strong organisational culture, characterised by its innovation DNA and a clear willingness to embrace transformation. Throughout the collaboration, RAMADA demonstrated a proactive mindset towards exploring emerging technologies, viewing AI not as an abstract concept but as a practical tool to enhance daily operations. RAMADA’S drive for innovation and positive impact created the conditions for meaningful experimentation, cross-team engagement, and the alignment of technological solutions with real industrial challenges.
Technology Beyond the Lab
The pilot at RAMADA is a clear example of research-driven innovation translating into measurable business impact. According to the client, the tool is already making a difference:
“The impact is enormous. We now have commercial teams relying on the platform because it drastically reduces manual work. Budgeting has become faster, easier, and less prone to errors.”
“This project is disruptive — it’s changing how a critical function like budget creation is executed within our organisation.”
Beyond efficiency, the platform is also contributing to smoother onboarding and knowledge transfer, helping teams adapt more easily to internal processes while reducing repetitive manual tasks. This has led to substantial time savings and a noticeable increase in accuracy.
Empowering People through Technology
While the AI system’s technical performance was strong, the project’s greatest achievement lies in the client’s adoption and understanding of the solution. RAMADA’s teams have seamlessly integrated the platform into their workflow and developed the ability to interpret how AI behaves, recognising both its strengths and limitations.
The success of this collaboration also demonstrates how shared commitment and openness can turn complex technology into meaningful, human-centred innovation, as highlighted by representatives of RAMADA Aços. “It has been a highly interactive and engaging experience — marked by creativity, positive energy, and visible results”.
As researchers at Fraunhofer Portugal AICOS note, “This project shows how AI can be introduced responsibly and effectively, and how it truly makes a difference when built around people and processes. Together with RAMADA, we’ve demonstrated that digital transformation is not only about automation — it’s about empowering professionals with the right tools.”
Next Steps
Encouraged by the project’s results, both teams are already discussing new areas of AI-enabled process optimisation. A case study highlighting the measurable business impact of this collaboration is currently in preparation and will serve as a reference for future initiatives.
This milestone reinforces Fraunhofer Portugal AICOS’ commitment to translating research into practical solutions – delivering technologies that enhance operational performance, strengthen competitiveness, and support sustainable industrial innovation.