Kraftwerk is a German electronic music band formed in Düsseldorf in 1970 by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider. Pioneers of electronic music, the band is known for its innovative use of technology, creating signature sounds with synthesizers, drum machines, and vocoders. They achieved international fame with their album "Autobahn" in 1974, and their work has heavily influenced subsequent genres such as synthpop, hip-hop, and techno. Kraftwerk's distinctive minimalist aesthetic and mechanized rhythms have solidified their status as an iconic force in music history.