Industrial Engineering Institute (FSB)
(Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb)
The Department of Industrial Engineering at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb, focuses on optimizing production systems, processes, and organizations through the integration of engineering, management, and human factors. It combines research and education in areas such as production management, process planning, ergonomics, industrial logistics, and digital transformation. As part of the Inclusive Ecosystem Integration Labs (IEILs) initiative, the Department serves as a living lab for technology co creation, testing, and market acceleration in Human–Machine Interaction (HMI) and advanced industrial systems.
Mission statement
Accelerate
Accelerate research-to-market through access to advanced R&D infrastructure, innovation services, and cross sector partnerships.
Bridge
Bridge research, prototyping, and commercialization with inclusive, user centered approaches.
Engage
Engage students, researchers, and external partners in real world challenges.
Innovation Ecosystem
The Industrial Engineering Institute at FSB operates as a living lab for Human–Machine Interaction (HMI) and advanced industrial systems, integrating engineering with management to optimize production. Structured around the Quadruple Helix model, the Institute links academia, industry, government, and civil society to bridge the gap between research and commercialization. The following sections detail our specialized R&D infrastructure, strategic Industry Council, and the comprehensive support services we provide to accelerate inclusive innovation and technology transfer.
Centre for Technology Transfer (CTT)
IP advisory and licensing; Spin off and startup support;
Collaboration contracts and commercialization of student research via spin-offs and startups. CTT provides the incubator services to startups and spin-offs at FSB.
Industry Council (Gospodarsko vijeće)
Enables strategic coordination with the private sector.
Strategic R&D agenda alignment; Internships and joint projects; Technology showcases and demo days.
Internal innovation infrastructure
Providing infrastructure and services to students and research teams.
Academia
Good collaboration with other faculties → strong academic network within the national higher education system.
Building ties with national excellence centers → extended innovation network beyond institutional boundaries.
Industry
Industry Council of FSB Collaborating SMEs (typically in engineering, manufacturing, and technology sectors).
German Croatian Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
Government / Public Sector
Ministry of Science, Education and Youth (provides incentives for project development).
Ministry of Economy.
Croatian Chamber of Economy (active in conferences and co-sponsored events).
Civil Society
Center for support of students’ career development.
External Partners
Collaborating with multiple external innovation incubators and excellence centers across Croatia (BIRD, ZICER, BIOS, PORIN, Nuqleus).
The Department’s R&D infrastructure is highly active in research, prototyping, and product development stages of the innovation value chain. Facilities within the Faculty, as a collaborators, in robotics, mechatronics, energy, and advanced manufacturing serve both internal projects and external industrial partnerships.
Capabilities
HMI prototyping and usability testing
Robotics, mechatronics, and automation labs
Human factors and ergonomics workplace optimization
Advanced manufacturing testbeds
Industrial systems simulations
Booking & Access
Request lab time and equipment;
Contact technical leads for support.
Through the Centre for Technology Transfer (CTT), the Faculty facilitates spin-offs and student startup creation, connecting early-stage innovators to national and EU-level funding schemes. CTT ensures IP and licensing support, and also serves as an incubator offering complementary services.
Innovation & Start-ups
Idea validation and prototyping sprints;
Business model and proposal writing clinics;
Mentoring via CTT and partner incubators.
Collaboration
Contract research and joint development;
Pilot deployments with end users; IP and licensing frameworks.
Training
Entrepreneurship workshops;
Industry 4.0/5.0 & HMI courses;
Career and innovation counselling.
FSB Focus Areas
Advanced Manufacturing
Mechanical & Industrial Engineering
Energy & Industrial Systems
Robotics, Mechatronics & Automation
Human–Machine Interaction (HMI)
FSB IEIL Network
IEILs are living lab environments where academia, industry, government and civil society co create, test and scale solutions with the aim to fast-track human-machine interface (HMI) innovations that address labor shortages and foster inclusive employment, safety, and wellbeing in labor-intensive sectors.
Creation of IEIL at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture of the University of Zagreb is part of the broader regional efforts to upgrade university entrepreneurial infrastructures in four higher education institutions (HEIs) in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia within the project HMI2MARKET, funded under the 2024 EIT HEI Initiative.
Industrial Engineering Institute (FSB)
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This project is supported by EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union. EIT Urban Mobility acts to accelerate positive change on mobility to make urban spaces more liveable.
Learn more: eiturbanmobility.eu
[Project Code: 9.2-0001-1028-1130.3]
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