Altendorf: AI for the craftsman

That artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept but a reality already present in skilled trades is now evident: from generative AI to design software, digitalization has reached almost every production process. In this context Altendorf, one of the leading players in the production of format circular saws and digital solutions for wood processing, took part as an industry partner in the exhibition “Getting to grips with AI. Shaping the future”, hosted at the Fachhochschule für den Mittelstand (Fhm) in Bielefeld, Germany.

The exhibition is part of the research project “Kidiha” (Artificial Intelligence and Digital Offensive for Skilled Trades in North Rhine-Westphalia), supported by the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the German federal state, which aims to make the practical applications of artificial intelligence in crafts and small businesses visible and understandable.

In this context Altendorf presented “Hand Guard”, the AI-based safety solution. The system can recognize potentially dangerous hand movements in advance and automatically lower the saw blade in a fraction of a second, preventing accidents and ensuring a safer working environment. “Our technology identifies risks in real time and helps protect people, machines, and materials. This is artificial intelligence applied concretely to skilled trades,” explained Ansgar von Garrel, head of marketing at Altendorf.

In addition to Bielefeld, the exhibition is currently also on display at the State Parliament in Düsseldorf, under the title “Zukunft.Handwerk.NRW”. The exhibition – which will become a traveling showcase – presents practical AI applications for craftsmanship, from voice-based assistance systems to intelligent sales tools, with the aim of making innovation tangible for companies, apprentices, and educational institutions.
“It is important to show artificial intelligence not as an abstract technology, but as a practical tool for everyday work and for training,” concluded von Garrel. “Intuitive, robust, and accessible solutions are what the sector truly needs to face the future.”