The current technological trends demonstrate one thing above all: AI-driven products, robotics and natural interaction are at the heart of innovation. A robot vacuum cleaner with a gripper arm, an AI assistant that moves freely around the home or a children’s toy that recognizes people and objects. This seems like something from another world and leaves many people with mixed feelings. Never before has technology changed our interaction with products so fundamentally.
In a future in which we communicate with objects more and more naturally, key design questions are coming into focus: How can autonomous, proactive products be designed responsibly? To what extent can technology feel “human”? And in which areas of application is there the greatest potential for self-thinking & self-acting products? Digital design is no longer limited to screens - it is increasingly becoming a central element of product design.
In this project course, students focused in particular on the question: How should products be designed when the inanimate object becomes a partner? And which use cases can actually be meaningful, responsible and problem-solving applications for “living products”.
Weltkiste – Immersive, Collaborative 3D Learning
Weltkiste is an innovative interactive learning system designed to make abstract scientific concepts tangible and accessible for primary school children. At its core is a dynamic 3D surface made up of numerous motorized pins, each individually controlled to form landscapes, objects, or phenomena in real time. Integrated LEDs beneath each pin illuminate the surface, transforming it into a vibrant, animated display where information, highlights, and scenarios come to life.
Children interact directly with the 3D world using touch and voice, exploring topics collaboratively and intuitively. An integrated AI guides the learning process, explains content, asks questions, and adapts to the group’s needs, while providing real-time feedback and personalized challenges. Teachers receive insights and recommendations to support each child’s progress and engagement.
The development of Weltkiste began with the goal of creating a multisensory, inclusive learning environment that goes beyond traditional and digital-only tools. Through iterative design, user research, and prototyping, the team combined haptic interaction, adaptive technology, and accessible design to foster curiosity, teamwork, and hands-on discovery in the classroom. The result is a unique educational tool that transforms learning into a shared, immersive experience.
