OSRAM GMBH

Their core work

OSRAM is a major German lighting technology company headquartered in Munich, specializing in optical semiconductors, automotive lighting, and smart lighting solutions. Within H2020, they contributed industrial expertise in advanced manufacturing of complex optical structures, visible light communication (VLC) networking, and computational scene understanding for lighting optimization. Their participation bridges fundamental photonics research with industrial-scale lighting applications, providing both manufacturing know-how and real-world use cases for emerging light-based technologies.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

OSRAM's H2020 involvement spans 2015–2022, with all projects initiated between 2015 and 2017. Their earlier projects (ToMax, SCENEUNDERLIGHT) focused on manufacturing processes and computational lighting analysis, while their latest project (VisIoN, running to 2022) shifted toward visible light communication — a forward-looking wireless networking technology. This progression mirrors the broader industry shift from traditional lighting manufacturing toward smart, connected lighting systems.

OSRAM moved from physical manufacturing and lighting analysis toward data-driven, communication-enabled lighting — expect future interest in Li-Fi, IoT-connected lighting, and smart building applications.

How they like to work

OSRAM operates primarily as a participant (2 of 3 projects), joining established consortia where their industrial lighting expertise complements academic research. They coordinated one MSCA training network, demonstrating willingness to lead when the topic aligns closely with their core domain. With 26 unique partners across 11 countries, they maintain a broad but not deep network — typical of a large company that selectively engages in pre-competitive research rather than building long-term consortium clusters.

OSRAM has collaborated with 26 unique partners across 11 countries, reflecting a wide European network built through both training networks and research projects. Their geographic spread is broad but their project count is modest, suggesting selective engagement rather than systematic EU research participation.

What sets them apart

OSRAM brings something few academic partners can: industrial-scale lighting manufacturing capability combined with deep domain knowledge in photonics and optical systems. For consortium builders, they offer a credible industry end-user and exploitation pathway — essential for projects targeting high TRL outcomes. Their involvement in MSCA training networks also signals openness to hosting early-stage researchers, making them attractive for projects requiring industry placements.

Highlights from their portfolio

• VisIoN
  A European Training Network on visible light communication running until 2022 — positions OSRAM at the frontier of Li-Fi and optical wireless technology.
• SCENEUNDERLIGHT
  OSRAM's only coordinator role, a Marie Curie project combining computer vision with lighting design — a distinctive interdisciplinary topic.
• ToMax
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 388,000) and their only manufacturing-focused project, connecting OSRAM to advanced production methods.