Menold Bezler advises Fraunhofer IPA on project for the legally compliant development of AI and robotics solutions

Menold Bezler advised the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA on the project “KIRR Real – Real-World Laboratory for Legally Compliant AI and Robotics”.

The project, funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism of Baden-Württemberg, aimed to support companies – particularly start-ups and SMEs in Baden-Württemberg – in implementing the regulatory requirements of the European AI Act. As part of so-called “Legal Quick Checks”, selected AI applications were legally assessed, particularly regarding their risk classification under the AI Act and the resulting regulatory obligations.

Fraunhofer IPA contributed its technical expertise by evaluating the underlying use cases, technical documentation and AI development concepts in order to formulate practical recommendations for legally compliant implementation.

The regulatory pressure is considerable: the AI Act entered into force in 2024 and is being implemented gradually. Key obligations for certain high-risk AI systems will apply from 2 August 2027. In addition, the new EU Machinery Regulation will introduce further requirements for safety-related AI applications from January 2027.

“We are very pleased to have supported Fraunhofer IPA in the KIRR Real project with our expertise in AI law,” says Dr Jessica Hawighorst, attorney-at-law at Menold Bezler. “For start-ups and smaller companies in particular, classifying AI systems under the AI Act is a key challenge. Especially in borderline cases, it is often difficult to determine whether a system already qualifies as high-risk AI – even though extensive legal obligations are linked to this classification. KIRR Real provides valuable practical guidance by legally assessing exemplary use cases and making the findings available for the legally compliant implementation of innovative AI applications.”