General details
EDIHs involved
Challenges
MotionMiners GmbH specializes in developing solutions for the intelligent recording and analysis of manual activities in intralogistics, such as order picking. The core benefit of their technology lies in the (partially) automated identification of optimization opportunities for logistics centers. However, the constant pressure to innovate means that there are always new manual optimization potentials that may not be immediately evident from the existing data. To address this, MotionMiners GmbH approached EDIH-DO during a network meeting to explore new ways of developing enhanced evaluations and visualization options for their sensor data, with the goal of expanding their service offerings.
Solutions
In collaboration with MotionMiners GmbH and Zufall Logistics Group, EDIH-DO organised a hackathon aimed at generating innovative solutions through open innovation. The planning process, which spanned from early January to mid-April, involved five consultation meetings with both partner companies, totaling 9 hours. These meetings were crucial for analysing the companies’ needs and refining the challenge.
During the hackathon, students and academic staff from TU Dortmund University were tasked with developing new ideas and concepts for visualising key metrics using a dashboard. This structured ideation process was guided by company representatives and EDIH-DO experts, ensuring that the solutions generated were both innovative and practically valuable.
Participants were thoroughly introduced to the task and the relevant data, receiving support as they familiarised themselves with the material. EDIH-DO provided the necessary premises, infrastructure, and expert guidance throughout the event. Towards the end of the hackathon, participants received pitch training to help them present their solutions effectively. The event concluded with presentations, where the best solutions were awarded prizes.
Results and Benefits
The results of the hackathon were two new concepts for the expansion of MotionMiners GmbH's digital product range. Three new ways of classifying the data from the process analyses were identified, which MotionMiners GmbH found to be particularly useful. René Grzeszick, CTO from Motion Miners says: “The EDIH-DO Hackathon enabled us, together with our development partner Zufall [Logistics Group], to get in touch with young talents and gather new, creative ideas for our collaboration”.
Perceived social/economic impact
The innovative classification options and visualisation approaches generated during the hackathon were integrated into the company's product development and further refined. The event provided the company with valuable external insights, enhancing the development of its digital products while also offering an opportunity to connect with potential future employees.
Collaboration between company representatives, students, and scientists led to significant advancements, with the company benefiting greatly from the scientific expertise, particularly in the realm of digitalisation. Moreover, the hackathon highlighted a potential need to adjust existing key performance indicators (KPIs) to further increase efficiency and maximise the use of the results.
Measurable data
The hackathon was designed to foster collaboration among a diverse group of stakeholders, including companies and research assistants, with the goal of generating innovative solutions through a structured and interactive process. The following sections provide a detailed overview of the event's measurable outcomes, showcasing participant involvement, idea generation, and overall engagement.
Measurable Outcomes of the Hackathon
Participation Overview:
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Companies Involved: 2 companies actively participated in the event.
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Company Representatives: A total of 4 representatives from these companies took part in the hackathon.
Overall Participant Engagement:
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Total Registered Participants: The event attracted 18 participants, reflecting a strong interest in collaborative innovation.
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Research Assistants: Among the participants, 2 research assistants contributed their expertise to the discussions and idea generation.
Idea Generation:
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Total Ideas Pitched: The hackathon resulted in 2 innovative ideas being pitched, highlighting the creative potential of the participants.
DMA score and results - Stage 0
The figure below presents an overview of the digital maturity level, where a score of 53% places the company in the "Moderately Advanced" category. This indicates a solid foundation in digital transformation, with room for growth and further development.
The radar chart breaks down the score across six key dimensions of digital maturity:
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Digital Business Strategy: The company scores over 40%, indicating a strategic approach to integrating digital technologies into business planning.
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Digital Readiness: With a score of 53%, the company shows moderate preparedness in adopting and utilising digital tools and technologies.
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Human-Centric Digitalisation: This dimension stands out with a score of 80%, highlighting a strong focus on integrating digital solutions that enhance user experiences and meet human needs.
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Data Governance: The company scores 60%, reflecting a solid framework for managing data effectively and securely.
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Automation & Artificial Intelligence: With over 60%, the company demonstrates a strong commitment to leveraging automation and AI for efficiency and innovation.
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Green Digitalisation: Notably, the score is 0% in this dimension, indicating an area with significant potential for growth and development in terms of integrating sustainable digital practices
Lessons learned
Do's
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Apply Hackathons Widely: Recognise that the concept of hackathons can be applied to a wide range of specialist areas and industries.
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Facilitate Exchange: Promote ongoing exchanges between scientists and company representatives for mutual knowledge gain.
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Ensure Holistic Consulting: Provide comprehensive support and consulting for all parties involved, particularly with scientists who have relevant expertise.
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Engage Experts Early: Involve EDIH-DO experts early in the ideation process to tailor tasks to company needs and objectives.
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Plan Carefully: Implement careful planning and collaboration to help companies develop innovative solutions and increase competitiveness.
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Focus on Open Innovation: Use hackathons as a method for ideating new product ideas through open innovation and knowledge transfer.
Don'ts
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Avoid Limiting Hackathons: Don’t restrict hackathons to a narrow range of topics; leverage their potential across diverse fields.
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Neglect Comprehensive Support: Don’t underestimate the importance of holistic consulting and expert guidance during hackathons.
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Delay Expert Involvement: Avoid delaying the involvement of EDIH-DO experts in the ideation process; early engagement is crucial.
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Overlook Planning: Don’t neglect careful planning and collaboration, as these are key to achieving significant progress and innovative solutions.
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Ignore Knowledge Transfer: Don’t miss the opportunity to facilitate open innovation and knowledge transfer, which inspire both scientists and company representatives.
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