Project Overview
In the “Cube 4.0” project, an existing workpiece (Cube 3.0) from the Industry 4.0 simulation environment of the Chair of Business Informatics, Processes and Systems (LSWI) was systematically analyzed and further developed.
The aim was to use the Design Thinking approach to develop a user-centered, technically more powerful, and more modular workpiece and implement it as a functional prototype.
The main areas of focus were:
- improving computing performance and battery capacity
- reducing weight and size
- increasing modularity and scalability
- improving usability and communication capabilities
- preparing the system for tracking and AR/VR scenarios
Initial Situation: Cube 3.0
Cube 3.0 served as a central workpiece for the hybrid simulation of Industry 4.0 processes within the ZIP. It combined:
- physical movement along an industrial production line
- digital process visualization across multiple displays
- data recording and interaction capabilities
Despite several development cycles, a number of structural weaknesses remained:
- high weight (~8 kg)
- large housing volume
- limited battery capacity
- limited modularity
- no tracking functionality
- limited interaction and communication capabilities
These weaknesses formed the starting point for the further development.
Approach & Methodology
The development process followed the five phases of the Design Thinking Prozesses:
1. Empathize
- analysis of the current state
- literature review on Industry 4.0 and Design Thinking
- definition of relevant personas
2. Define
- workshops with technical operators, researchers, and other stakeholders
- identification and prioritization of “must-have” and “nice-to-have” requirements
3. Ideate
- development of several concept variants (Display Cube, Upgrade Cube, Mini Cube)
- evaluation based on feasibility and expected benefits
4. Prototype
- selection of suitable hardware components
- 3D design and 3D printing of the housing
- integration of Raspberry Pi, displays, speaker, microphone, and batteries
5. Test
- functional testing of the alpha prototype
- documentation of technical challenges
- identification of optimization potential
Solution Concept: Mini-Cube 4.0
The final concept focused on implementing a Mini-Cube 4.0 as a modular alpha prototype.
Key features included:
- Raspberry Pi 4 (8 GB RAM)
- up to three touch displays
- two lithium-polymer batteries
- integrated speaker and microphone
- LED status indicator
- 3D-printed, symmetrical housing made of PLA
- preparation for RFID/UWB tracking
Results
Compared with Cube 3.0, the Mini-Cube 4.0 achieved significant improvements:
- 85% weight reduction
- more than 80% reduction in volume
- improved performance
- modular design
- network-based remote control
- expanded communication capabilities
The Cube can be controlled both locally via touch display and remotely over a network, enabling flexible use in research and teaching scenarios.
Added Value & Knowledge Transfer
The project demonstrates how:
- design-thinking can be applied in a technical environment
- user-centered product development can be implemented in research infrastructures
- Industry 4.0 concepts can be tested in practice
- interdisciplinary teams can develop functional prototypes
The developed Mini-Cube provides a foundation for further iterations, including:
- integration of RFID/UWB tracking
- AR/VR integration
- modular assembly scenarios involving multiple Cubes
- software extensions for simulation control
The project therefore makes a concrete contribution to the further development of experimental Industry 4.0 environments.