Innovation Challenges

Challenge Owner(s)	Miele, Melitta, WAGO, CLAAS
Industry Types(s)	Digital/ICT, Electronics, Infrastructure, Precision Engineering, Urban Solutions

---

INNOVATIVE SENSOR TECHNOLOGY FOR DIVERSE APPLICATIONS IN SMART ENVIRONMENTS

BACKGROUND:

• The demand for advanced sensor technologies is increasing across various industries, including food detection, textiles, agriculture, and smart buildings. Current sensors often lack versatility and integration capabilities, limiting their effectiveness in monitoring and optimizing processes. Existing sensors may not provide accurate detection or require manual intervention for maintenance and cleaning, leading to downtime and inefficiencies. There is also a need for sensors that can operate in challenging environments, such as fields with varying terrain and conditions.
• Many traditional sensor systems have proven inadequate due to their inability to perform self-diagnostics or to provide real-time data across multiple parameters. Basic sensor systems often lack the sophistication required for quality inspection in production settings.
• Solutions that rely on outdated technology without self-cleaning or maintenance capabilities are not of interest, as they do not meet the operational demands of modern environments.

CHALLENGE STATEMENTS:

• Miele and Melitta are seeking low-cost, high-quality spectroscopy sensors for coffee machines. The goal is to analyse coffee beans for information on ingredients, such as caffeine and moisture content, allowing better machine adjustment for each coffee type. Miele is also interested in sensors for laundry care to recognise different textiles in washing machines or tumble dryers. They are also exploring sensors for ovens and refrigerators to identify various food types.
• WAGO is looking for sensors in the smart building sector to enable intelligent automation with AI in building control. The sensors should be able to measure multiple parameters (such as temperature, humidity, presence monitoring) through sensor fusion in a single unit.
• Claas is interested in two types of sensors. First, spectroscopy sensors to detect important parameters of harvested crops and adjust agricultural machine settings accordingly. Second, sensors that enable autonomous driving for agricultural machines. Claas is also interested in new sensors from the automotive sector for autonomous vehicles and from the heavy-duty vehicle sector.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS/PERFORMANCE CRITERIA:

• Specifications: Sensors should be lightweight, durable, and capable of operating in various conditions (e.g., humidity, temperature variations). They should also support energy harvesting techniques to ensure sustainability.
• Expected Features:
• Multi-sensor capabilities for monitoring various parameters (e.g., food quality, environmental conditions).
• Self-diagnostic functions for maintenance and cleaning.
• Compatibility with smart building systems for energy management and efficiency.
• Relevant Standards: Compliance with industry standards for sensor technology and environmental monitoring.
• Development Stages: The initial prototype should demonstrate effective multi-sensor capabilities, accurate detection across various applications, and operational reliability in real-world settings.
• Other Considerations:
• The solution addresses critical needs in monitoring and optimizing resource use across various industries, aligning with sustainability goals and advancing technology.
• Startups in the sensor and smart technology sectors.
• The target technology readiness level should be around TRL 5-6 for prototypes ready for testing in real-world applications.
• Solutions should be generally applicable in Singapore, Europe as well as international markets e.g. North America.

RESOURCES:

• Monetary support may include funding for development and trials, while in-kind resources could consist of access to testing environments (e.g., agricultural fields, production facilities).

NEXT STEPS:

• Submit your proposed solutions here!
• Send queries to Stratosfare's Lead Startup Scout, Mr. Fabian Machon (f.machon@its-owl.de)

Challenge Owner(s)	WAGO, Miele
Industry Types(s)	Electronics, Infrastructure, Precision Engineering, Sustainable Energy, Urban Solutions

---

INNOVATIVE ENERGY MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS FOR SMART BUILDINGS AND HOMES

BACKGROUND:

• As urbanization increases, there is a growing demand for efficient energy management solutions in smart buildings and homes. Many current systems are not optimized for the unique needs of professional environments like hotels and hospitals, which often face significant energy consumption challenges. Existing energy management solutions frequently lack the intelligence needed to dynamically adjust to varying energy demands, leading to inefficiencies and higher costs. There is also a pressing need for solutions that can accommodate the growing power demands from electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and other urban energy requirements.
• Attempts to implement basic energy monitoring systems have shown limited effectiveness due to their inability to integrate with advanced home appliances or respond to real-time energy needs. Many systems fail to provide actionable insights or adapt to different usage scenarios.
• Solutions that rely solely on fixed energy monitoring without flexibility or advanced analytics are not of interest, as they do not address the dynamic nature of energy consumption in modern buildings.

CHALLENGE STATEMENTS:

• WAGO is interested in energy management systems for smart buildings. They have a Building Management System with Energy Management Software in Europe but not for other markets like North America and Asia. Current energy management solutions struggle with sector coupling of emerging technologies such as EV charging stations, solar systems, battery storage, and new energy mixes. These solutions cannot act proactively or communicate with the energy grid and other players. WAGO seeks solutions that address urbanisation problems and additional electricity demand using new concepts and technologies.
• Miele has a Professional business unit that specialises in laundry care for hotels, and other large facilities that wash laundry in-house. Due to increasing electricity demand from new sources like EV charging stations, and grids not designed for this load, some facilities are removing washing machines and outsourcing laundry. To prevent this, Miele is looking for energy management solutions for individual players such as hotels. These solutions should predict and minimise or prevent peak loads caused by charging cars, using washing machines, and other electricity consumers.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS/PERFORMANCE CRITERIA:

• Specifications: Solutions should be compatible with a variety of smart home and building technologies, scalable, and easy to implement in different environments, including hotels and hospitals.
• Expected Features:
• Real-time energy monitoring and analytics.
• Adaptive energy management capabilities to optimize consumption.
• Support for integration with EV charging infrastructure.
• Compliance with energy efficiency standards and protocols for smart building technologies.
• Development Stages: The prototype should demonstrate effective real-time energy management, integration with existing systems, and measurable cost reductions in energy use.
• Other Considerations:
• The solution should address critical challenges in energy management, aligning with sustainability goals and the demand for innovative technologies in urban environments.
• The focus is on startups, and tech innovators in the energy management and smart building sectors.
• The target technology readiness level should be around TRL 5-6 for prototypes ready for testing in real-world applications.
• Solutions should be applicable to both the Singapore and European markets.

RESOURCES:

• Monetary support may include funding for trials and testing, while in-kind resources could consist of access to pilot sites (e.g. hotels or hospitals) for real-world testing.

NEXT STEPS:

• Submit your proposed solutions here!
• Send queries to Stratosfare's Lead Startup Scout, Mr. Fabian Machon (f.machon@its-owl.de)

Challenge Owner(s)	Melitta, Miele
Industry Types(s)	Food Manufacturing, Food Services, Retail

---

REDUCTION OF FOOD WASTE THROUGH SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING SOLUTIONS

BACKGROUND:

• Food waste in private kitchens is a growing concern, leading to environmental impact and economic loss. Current solutions for food preservation and storage often involve single-use plastic packaging, contributing to waste. Many households struggle to effectively manage food storage, leading to spoilage and unnecessary waste. Existing products do not adequately address the need for sustainable and reusable options.
• Various single-use plastic packaging solutions have been trialed, but they have proven ineffective due to their environmental impact and lack of durability. Additionally, typical reusable containers do not always meet the specific needs of users regarding portion sizes and storage flexibility.
• Solutions that rely on traditional plastic packaging or do not offer customization in sizes and reuse are not of interest, as they do not align with sustainability goals.

CHALLENGE STATEMENTS:

• The Melitta Group has a business unit that deals with food packaging for home use, such as cling film and freezer bags. These products are mainly made from single-use virgin plastic and are used to keep food fresh longer, minimising food waste. Melitta is seeking alternatives to single-use plastic and new concepts to prevent food waste through packaging solutions and other innovative approaches.
• Miele has a business unit for refrigerator and household kitchen products for food preparation. In these areas, they are looking for innovative solutions to minimise food waste. The focus is on cooling or freezing food in the refrigerator. They seek new methods and concepts to store food better. One approach could be providing reliable information on whether certain foodstuffs are still edible or have gone bad and need to be disposed of.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS/PERFORMANCE CRITERIA:

• Specifications: The solutions should be lightweight, easy to clean, and made from sustainable materials. They should also allow for multiple uses and be designed to minimize waste.
• Expected Features:
• Reusable packaging that accommodates various food types.
• Customizable sizes to prevent over-packaging and waste.
• Solutions that minimize food spoilage and extend shelf life.
• Relevant Standards: The product should meet food safety standards and sustainability certifications (e.g., biodegradable, compostable, or recyclable materials).
• Development Stages: The initial prototype should demonstrate effectiveness in reducing food waste through consumer testing, focusing on usability and sustainability.
• Other Considerations:
• The solution aligns with the sustainability goals of our companies and the consumer demand for eco-friendly products.
• Startups specializing in sustainable products and innovations.
• The target technology readiness level should be around TRL 5-6 for prototypes ready for testing.
• Solutions should be relevant for European markets (especially DACH)

RESOURCES:

• Monetary support may include funding for development trials, and in-kind resources could include access to test laboratories for product validation.

NEXT STEPS:

• Submit your proposed solutions here!
• Send queries to Stratosfare's Lead Startup Scout, Mr. Fabian Machon (f.machon@its-owl.de)

Challenge Owner(s)	WAGO, Miele, Melitta, CLAAS
Industry Types(s)	Digital/ICT, Electronics, Infrastructure, Precision Engineering, Urban Solutions

---

INNOVATIVE HUMAN MACHINE INTERFACE SOLUTIONS FOR ENHANCED USER INTERACTION

BACKGROUND:

• The demand for advanced Human Machine Interface (HMI) solutions is rising across various sectors, including smart home appliances, industrial machinery, and heavy-duty vehicles such as agricultural tractors. Current HMI systems often lack the flexibility and user-friendliness required for effective interaction. Existing HMIs typically rely on traditional display units and touch or hard key inputs, which can limit usability in dynamic environments. Users often encounter difficulties in interacting with complex systems, resulting in inefficiencies and a steep learning curve.
• Attempts to implement basic touchscreen interfaces in machinery and vehicles have shown limitations in durability and functionality, especially in harsh working conditions. Moreover, many systems fail to provide intuitive control options such as gestures or haptic feedback.
• Solutions that rely solely on standard touch interfaces or hard keys without innovative alternatives are not of interest, as they do not cater to the evolving needs of users seeking enhanced interaction methods.

CHALLENGE STATEMENTS:

• Miele and Melitta manufacture household appliances, including washing machines, ovens, hobs, coffee machines, dishwashers, and vacuum cleaners. Their products are in the premium and high-price segments, currently operated using touchscreens and touch buttons. Both companies are seeking new operating concepts for their appliances to meet product demands and changing customer requirements.
• WAGO produces components for machine and system automation, as well as control cabinet and control system elements for smart buildings. These electronic components are currently operated via buttons and touchscreens. Trends like AI and data analytics are increasing the complexity of operating these components. WAGO is looking for new operating concepts for smart factory and smart building applications.
• CLAAS manufactures agricultural machinery such as combine harvesters and tractors, which are complex machines. They are currently controlled via touchscreens, buttons and other classic haptic systems used in heavy machinery. Claas is interested in new operating concepts that simplify or automate the control of these machines. Technologies such as head-up displays, augmented reality or AI features are being considered, as well as other concepts that could replace buttons and touchscreens.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS/PERFORMANCE CRITERIA:

• Specifications: HMI solutions should be designed for durability and usability in various environments, including homes, factories, and outdoor agricultural settings. They should be compact and easily integrated into existing systems.
• Expected Features:
• Intuitive user interfaces utilizing gesture control and haptic feedback.
• Display technologies integrated into various materials, allowing for seamless design.
• Alternatives to traditional display units that improve user engagement and reduce reliance on touch or hard keys (e.g. by voice-activated).
• Compliance with industry standards for HMI technology, user safety, and environmental durability.
• Development Stages: The initial prototype should demonstrate effective gesture control, haptic feedback capabilities, and compatibility with smart appliances and heavy machinery.
• Other Considerations:
• The solution addresses critical needs for enhanced user interaction in technology, aligning with trends toward automation and smart environments for our companies.
• Startups in the HMI and user experience sectors.
• The target technology readiness level should be around TRL 5-6 for prototypes ready for testing in real-world applications.
• Solutions should be applicable to both Singapore and European markets, as well as international markets, e.g. North America.

RESOURCES:

• Monetary support may include funding for research and development, while in-kind resources could consist of access to testing environments in relevant sectors (e.g., agricultural machinery, smart homes).

NEXT STEPS:

• Submit your proposed solutions here!
• Send queries to Stratosfare's Lead Startup Scout, Mr. Fabian Machon (f.machon@its-owl.de)