STARHAUS Open Call on Open Innovation and Creativity | #2 - ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY RESIDENCIES

Description

The 2nd Open Call for Open Innovation and Creativity OIC#2 | Arts and Technology Residencies invites participants to closely collaborate with our technology partners. The goal is to define new concepts for services and processes and to adapt existing hardware and software to the specific project use-cases (pet food, fertilizers, beverages, and breakfast cereals), while contributing to raising the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of these technologies. These new concepts will serve as the foundation for developing hardware and software prototypes that align with the user-centred design (UCD) approach, ensuring solutions are intuitive, adaptable, and resonate with target communities. Applicants are encouraged to look beyond current project constraints and envision future and scalable solutions that push technological boundaries. Activities to be funded within the 2nd Open Call should include: Co-Design and Concept Development: Participants will engage in a collaborative process with technology partners, leveraging an artistic perspective to contribute creatively to the development of concepts that blend art and technology. This phase will focus on defining scenarios and solutions aligned with the four use-cases, bringing innovative, user-centred approaches to the forefront. Prototype Development: Based on the co-developed concepts, participants will design and test hardware or software prototypes. This phase aims to bring the concepts to life, ensuring they are technically feasible and ready for testing. Testing: The developed prototypes will be tested in representative communities (e.g., through artistic installations or demonstrations) to gather user feedback. This step ensures that the solutions are relevant, adaptable, and appealing to the target communities. Applications must address one of the two focus areas: Focus Area 1: Hardware – What is the Challenge? The Manufacturing Demonstration Facilities (MDFs) are modular, scalable systems designed for flexibility. Each MDF cabinet integrates unit operation modules (e.g., dispensing, mixing, measuring, and heating) that communicate with a central controller via an internal application programming interface. The challenge is to propose new designs or improvements to existing modules to increase adaptability and functionality across the four use-cases. Collaboration between hardware engineers and artists will foster creative solutions that go beyond technical limitations, adapting both design and processes to the specific project requirements. Technical Partner: CODY (Norway) is leading the adaptation of MDFs for STARHAUS. For more information on the current MDF system, watch the detailed video here. Focus Area 2: Software – What is the Challenge? The STARHAUS software ecosystem must be adaptable, user-centric, and robust to support the use-cases effectively. This ecosystem will include a core digital platform, tailored applications for each use-case, and advanced data visualization tools. The challenge is to look for ways to optimize and expand this software platform, ensuring it integrates seamlessly with the hardware system for a unified user experience. Software engineers and artists will co-develop these solutions, ensuring that the solutions are both technically robust and user-friendly. Technical Partner: WIZ Research (Romania) is responsible for adapting the software system for STARHAUS. For more details on the current software ecosystem, watch the video here. Residency Expectations: The residency experience will involve immersive collaboration between participants and technological partners (CODY in Norway for hardware, WIZ Research in Romania for software).The residency experience includes a minimum of two on-site visits: an initial visit to co-design workshops, plan prototypes, and align with technology partners, and a final visit to test and validate prototypes, as well as engage with local communities for demonstration and feedback collection. These activities will ensure that both hardware and software elements are developed holistically, enhancing the user experience and system functionality.

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