The Construction Future Lab – CFLab is a subsidiary of TU Dresden and thus an independent, non-university research and development institution specializing in digitalized construction processes and procedures as well as networked and automated construction machinery. It seeks to take a holistic view of people and systems that previously worked independently and network them with each other – from the planning phase to implementation – to create an interdisciplinary and cross-domain application, development and testing environment for construction, construction machinery, communication and automation technologies. The Lab will research digitalization technologies – such as sensor technology, networked communication, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things – as well as automation for construction machinery robotics for applications specific to certain construction machinery. It will then refine and make them available to the public.

CFLab was founded in May 2022 with TUD as its sole shareholder. It sees itself as a link between research and industry as well as between civic authorities and the public. Five specific lead projects for defining a laboratory and experimentation field have been set up in various focus areas to create tools for excellent research and successful technology transfer. A comprehensive testing and development platform forms the core, which investigates construction-related technologies both on the local level at the construction lab as well as at the interregional level using mobile lab units. The CFLab concentrates on the conveyance of concepts to practical application in construction machinery, and in particular to the fusion of partial solutions into economical, full-process solutions that are ready for real-world use.

In April 2023, State Minister for Regional Development Thomas Schmidt confirmed initial funding to be granted to the CFLab. The construction of the headquarters in Görlitz will comprise an office building and machinery hall and is set to be completed in the 3^rd quarter of 2024. The subsequent step will be to set up and commence operation of a research and testing environment infrastructure (construction lab).

Görlitz was chosen as the location for the CFLab with the aim of actively supporting economic development and structural change in the region. In addition to the direct link between local and international specialists, the technological and organizational orientation of the CFLab attracts industry and cooperation partners and fosters future locations. Technology and knowledge transfer will enable regional and interregional partners to maintain and even expand their market standing.