The current paradigm shift from human to machine communication impacts the design of wireless communication systems on a fundamental level. Especially, closed-loop control applications from industrial automation and manufacturing require completely new solutions to achieve latencies below 1 ms with extremely high reliabilities and stringent requirements on message timing and repetitive packet losses. The research project "Innovative technologies for industrial automation (HiFlecs)" funded by the German ministry of education and research provides a comprehensive system design for industrial radio and novel solutions in various areas as coexistence management, physical and mac layer design as well as security.