DIE ZEIT für Unternehmer: Staring into the Abyss Sparks Innovation

In the current issue of ZEIT für Unternehmer, Viacheslav Gromov, founder and CEO of AITAD GmbH, talks about a technology that is quiet yet powerful—ushering in the next major leap of digitalization: Embedded AI. Artificial intelligence that runs directly on chips and sensor boards. No detour through the cloud or a data center—analysis happens right where the data originates.

For Gromov, one thing is clear: if Germany wants to reclaim a leading role in global technology development, this is where it begins.

From chip to opportunity

While the U.S. and China are pouring billions into cloud and platform solutions, AITAD is betting on decentralization. Embedded AI processes high-resolution sensor data directly at the point of origin—in machines, vehicles, industrial plants, or household appliances. This not only reduces latency but also protects data and makes systems less dependent on network connections.

“We need to stop sending everything to the cloud,” says Gromov in the interview. “When we analyze data on-site, we gain both speed and sovereignty.”

That statement resonates—not only within industry but also in politics. The ability to process sensitive data locally is no longer just a technical issue; it’s a strategic one.

Germany between caution and vision

AITAD is a young company operating in a sector dominated by American and Asian giants. For Gromov, this is not a disadvantage but an opportunity. Germany has a long tradition of engineering excellence—but also a tendency to avoid risks.

“Finding the first customers was tough. I had to beg, beg, beg,” he recalls. Many mid-sized companies were hesitant to integrate AI into their products. Yet this initial caution may actually be an advantage: innovation born out of necessity tends to produce more robust, practical solutions.

Embedded AI fits this mentality perfectly. It combines precision with pragmatism—very German, one might say.

Innovation happens when time runs out

AITAD’s approach is radically simple: sensors produce massive amounts of raw data—often too large to transmit. Instead of reducing or filtering it, Embedded AI analyzes all of it directly on the board. As a result, machines can not only detect malfunctions but also understand *why* they occur.

This depth of analysis makes the technology so valuable—and sets it apart from many “AI buzzword” solutions. Gromov gives practical examples: washing machines that detect motor wear through vibration analysis, pumps that distinguish between different fluids, or robots that adjust their grip strength to materials thanks to tactile feedback processed through machine learning.

The principle is always the same: Embedded AI brings intelligence right where it’s needed—in real time, energy-efficiently, and securely.

Small teams, big impact

AITAD employs around 30 people in Offenburg and develops complete Embedded AI systems—from sensor design to electronics to algorithm development. Everything is done in-house. This allows for short development cycles and precise adaptation to each use case.

In ZEIT für Unternehmer, Gromov emphasizes that the real difference is not in size but in mindset. Large corporations may invest billions but often lose speed. Mid-sized companies, by contrast, can move faster—if they dare.

“We need to learn to work with less perfection and more speed,” he says. “Innovation happens when you move, not when you wait.”

Embedded AI meets quantum technology

AITAD has recently joined the QuantumBW network. The goal: combining Embedded AI with quantum sensing. This new generation of sensors can measure magnetic, thermal, or mechanical changes with extreme precision—perfect for setting new standards in accuracy and response time when paired with local AI processing.

For Gromov, this is not a futuristic experiment but a logical continuation of AITAD’s work. “When quantum hardware becomes market-ready, it will need partners to process the data—and that’s exactly where Embedded AI comes in.”

The Mittelstand as a driving force

The interview shows that technological leadership doesn’t have to come from the R&D labs of global corporations. Innovation can just as easily emerge from small workshops—where engineers and developers work hands-on with the product.

Embedded AI embodies that spirit: practical, reliable, fast to implement, and independent.

Or, as Gromov puts it: 

Staring into the abyss sparks innovation. When time is short, that’s when truly new things are created.”

Conclusion:

The article in ZEIT für Unternehmer underscores the strategic importance of Embedded AI for Germany’s technological future. It bridges industrial strength with digital intelligence—and shows that even a small company from Offenburg can set global impulses.

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You can find the original interview here (in German).