Fraunhofer IZFP in Germany is a pioneer and innovator in the transition of traditional non-destructive measurement and testing technologies to NDE 4.0 (i.e., future-oriented sensors and data systems) to ensure a safe, sustainable, and efficient (material) circular economy. The sensors and data systems of Fraunhofer IZFP actively, intelligently, and independently determine how to generate, process, forward, and archive valuable information from their data. Focus on developing 'cognitive sensors and data systems' for non-destructive monitoring of industrial processes and value chains, and the understanding of technical testing and sensor physics is supplemented by technologies and concepts from artificial intelligence research.