Mr. Maus, the Pepperl+Fuchs stand is a real eye-catcher - the digital world has completely taken over. What is special about your stand concept?

Stefan Maus: The special thing about the Pepperl+Fuchs stand and exhibit concept is the idea of immersing visitors in themed worlds and the associated applications and visualizing them accordingly. We achieve this by using two different levels or screens - an interactive, horizontal monitor that allows you to navigate to the application and a vertical T-OLED on which you can create details and products in 3D. Basically, the communication leads from the application to the product instead of from the product to the application, as is the case with conventional exhibits.

In a sense, you have already prepared the ground for digital exhibits at the 2018 and 2019 trade fairs - I'm thinking of the "body scans". Can you briefly describe this approach?

It's actually a very similar approach that follows the question: How can I visualize digitalization in an exciting way for trade fair visitors?

With the body scan, we were able to demonstrate to the public how a 3D measurement generated from a scanner can create a point cloud - that was in 2018. In 2019, we then showed how a point cloud can be generated with additional color information per pixel. This was possible by measuring visitors from a scanner array, showing the result on monitors and providing the "measured" person with a 3D model.

The current stand concept with exclusively digital exhibits celebrated its premiere at this year's Hannover Messe. How was the response?

Predominantly positive. Because it was also a visual sensation. Of course, there were also a few people who missed the "real" product presentation - both from customers and employees. But the wow effect clearly prevailed.

But here at the SPS you also have some analog exhibits - why? Is the purely digital concept not enough?

We are presenting a hybrid concept at the SPS. The digital exhibit is complemented by a docked, physical exhibit that highlights a product or products from the application environment of the digital part. I think that this combination can be particularly helpful for more focused, user-oriented trade fairs. Of course, we will incorporate the experience gained at SPS into our further concept discussions.

SPS 2022: Hall 7A, Stand 411