
Frank Schäfer
About
Dedicated CTO / Co Founder / PM / PO
With a varied career in different roles and industries, I have extensive experience in product management, metrology development, and AI-based technologies. I'm currently focused on AI-based optical tread depth measurement and OCR for vehicle tires. I've held positions from developer to CTO and executive roles as Managing Director and CEO. As a founder, I've successfully raised 8-figure venture capital, demonstrating my leadership and entrepreneurial skills. My decade of experience in chemical plant engineering has given me a unique perspective and a broad skill set. I've developed and filed over a dozen patents, demonstrating my constant drive for innovation. In short, I'm a seasoned professional with a proven track record in leadership, product management, and technological innovation, always ready to take on new challenges and contribute to progressive companies. I've created also some Apps and Cloud services like CandleApp ( https://youtu.be/xAaoSMjC1cM ) and Tire Scanner ( https://youtu.be/VfQhbPgPEE8 ) and also https://youtu.be/CB-7dH8ro9g
Social Media:
Skills
.NET
2-D
3D Scanning
3D
3D-Beleuchtung
Business Value
C#
Computer Vision
Deep Learning
Electro-optical
Embedded Linux
IT sector
Internet of Things
Java
Managing Technical Personnel
Measurement Systems
Product Management
Python
Swift
Technical Architecture
Technical Product Development
Venture Capital
Open for
cofounder
fulltime
mentoring
Work Experience
Anyline GmbH, Wien
2022-11 -
Technical consulting & management
Wien
fulltime
Integration of tire tread depth measurement and tire sidewall OCR into Anyline GmbH • Provide metrology knowledge, product management, market and customer requirements in the field of optical tyre scanning and metrology. Fleet management and tyre sales are typical use cases • Plan and implement architecture of SDKs, APIs and cloud services with GCP • Gather requirements for Android and iOS scanning apps, implement these features, distribute apps to interested parties, analyse results. • Sold stationary IoT tire tread depth measurement tech a German company
CST GmbH, Waldshut Tiegen (Now Anyline)
2020-12 - 2021-10
CTO
Waldshut-Tiengen
fulltime
Technical lead / Optical 2D and 3D sensor technology for the tire industry, AI, mobile devices • Developed 3D measurement methods and AI models for mobile devices and associated cloud systems • Enabled mobile devices for tread depth measurement, tyre inflation pressure measurement and OCR analysis of car and truck tyre sidewalls. Typical customers are tyre manufacturers and tyre sales and monitoring organisations • Personnel responsibility in technology & product management for 7 employees, budget responsibility: 700,000 EUR per year • Central role in customer acquisition for Anyline GmbH, Balluff AG and some Tier 1 Companies • Planned and implemented technical due diligence • Established cloud services for tire tread measurement and side wall scanning • Developed iOS/Android apps for measurement technology applications • Several product implementations based on machine learning (AI) • Product implementation in the production of a Balluff plant • Support in testing, field testing as well as the first customer installations, planned and implemented 3rd level support • Trained IT specialists (“Fach Informatiker Ausbildung”)
CST GmbH, Waldshut-Tiengen
2013-07 - 2020-11
CEO
Waldshut-Tiengen
cofounder
Managing Director / Optical 2D & 3D sensor technology for the tire industry, IOT, AI • Personnel responsibility in technology & sales for 12 employees, budget responsibility: 1,000,000 EUR per year • Holistic development of IoT 3D scanners (sensors) for tread depth measurement, splice measurement, protective mask detection, customised image processing solutions. Use cases are tire monitoring and tire sales. • Product implementation based on machine learning (AI) • Accompanied product launches at BOSCH • Successful acquisition of renowned companies such as BOSCH and BMW • Set-up of development, administration and accounting, human resources, 3-level support and process implementation • Stakeholder management • Trained two IT specialists (“Fach Informatiker Ausbildung”) • Committed supervision of masters’ theses
MAHA GmbH, Haldenwang
2012-12 - 2013-07
Head of Department - Optical measurement technology
Haldenwang
fulltime
Head of Department / Optical tire measurement technology in the context of the integration of the acquired ProContour GmbH • Head of department of 7 employees • Established the optical measurement technology department • Selection and briefing of the future head of department • Construction, implementation and on-time completion of the first prototype of an optical diagnostic device of MAHA GmbH. Use case, tire tread depth measurement when driving onto a lifting platform
ProContour GmbH
2006-07 - 2011-11
CEO
Waldshut-Tiengen
cofounder
Managing Director / Automotive 3D measurement technology • Management of 25 employees, budget responsibility: 3,000,000 EUR p/a • Won several business plan competitions, subsequently founded the company • Largest venture capital financing for a start-up in EU in 2006/2007 • Creation of prototypes and development of patents for measuring tyre tread depth while driving, to support traffic monitoring and sanctioning through fines and also truck fleet monitoring in cooperation with SHELL. • Contact person for the VC-family office in all areas as well as for internal coordination with all shareholders • Research and development as well as close technical support of the functional management, especially in the sensor area • Conducted economic feasibility studies using market figures, operational results and strategic planning • Planned and implemented technical due diligence