Digital Nature – Digital Transformation for Humans

13. March 2019

For humans, digital transformation means that their lives and activities are augmented and influenced by digitization and innovation. The Digital Nature exhibition provides nine potential answers to what these changes can look like and which innovations could simplify our work or broaden our lives. In cooperation with Munich Airport, bayern design, the competence center for design of the State of Bavaria, will present projects developed by Bavarian companies and research institutions to illustrate the current state of science, business and design. LabCampus GmbH (Munich) will complement the Digital Nature exhibition with a unique innovation center, designed as a smart city, at the premises of Munich Airport. Here, companies, research institutions, start-ups and creative people have the opportunity to develop, test and present new products.

Robotics, digitization and biodesign

The German Aerospace Center will be presenting two projects dealing with robotics. Rollin' Justin is a platform for research in the field of service robotics, mainly for household applications and to assist astronauts in space. MIRO is a versatile robot arm for medical applications. Its compact dimensions and low weight enable it to be used as a surgical assistant at the operating table.

Felix Pöttinger Design is working on TRAKA, a portable biosensor for extreme athletes that learns to correctly interpret users’ emotions and, based on this knowledge, helps them optimize their movements.

For Konica/Minolta, FLUID Design has developed a digital workplace of the future: Workplace Hub. Hardware, software and an entire ecosystem of applications and services are combined in one IT platform. Thanks to its open, innovative and flexible design, Workplace Hub allows each user to work in a dynamic and specialized fashion.

The Blue Pearl is a genuine pearl earring with an integrated headset created by Nova Products. A mobile phone can be connected to the earring via Bluetooth and allows the wearer to look elegant and work hands-free at the same time.

Workaround has developed ProGlove-Mark, an intelligent glove for work in logistics and production. It scans barcodes and 3D codes and provides direct visual, acoustic and tactile feedback. The operator immediately knows whether the work step has been carried out correctly without having to look at the display for verification.

Jerseys, running shoes and adaptable packaging – the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Design Lab and PUMA will be presenting their results on their biodesign method: The products are interspersed with living materials such as algae or bacteria to enhance athletic performance. Changes in the structure of the living cells are assessed digitally to allow athletes to adjust their exercise accordingly.

Stool around the World by Yves Ebnöther exemplifies the potential of production that is connected yet local. With the underlying parametric configurator, the user can transform a wooden board of any size into a stool with such precision that it can be assembled without the use of glue. By varying the input in the configurator, new typologies can be developed in a playful manner – from stools and benches to tables and beds.

BioID has developed Face Liveness Detection, software for live facial recognition that can be used to encrypt sensitive data digitally. The live face recognition algorithm distinguishes between real and fake faces.

Digital Nature will be on display until May 15, 2019 and will be followed by bayern design’s exhibition titled Discoverers starting June 28, 2019. The exhibition series running until early 2020 in Terminal 2, level 04, southern check-in area of Munich Airport also will include Well Connected and Smart Living.