Background to the research project

The focus is on the Lausitz-specific topics of mobility, water use, industry and culture. Current problem areas are to be uncovered, analyzed and processed. The project aims to create dynamics between local problems and modern technologies. The Lusatian repair culture is central in the identified thematic quadrangle - its strengthening is focused.

Research objective

Local problems from the citizenry are to be processed with modern technologies and six demonstrators are to be developed from them. The local repair culture will be brought back to life and strengthened. The result will be a social innovation model and concrete solutions from the citizens. Open workshops move back into the focus of attention and create social added value in the context of maintenance, servicing and repair.

Benefits, innovation contribution and possible applications of the research project

Through an initial needs assessment, problem areas and possible approaches in Lusatia are uncovered from the individual level upwards. By directly addressing the citizenry, concrete problems are identified and approaches to solutions are developed by offering modern technologies. In this way, mid-range technologies are created that are made available as open hardware. Prototypes developed from the citizenry thus become replicable and versatile. In this sense, maintenance, servicing and repair are supported by open access to citizen-based solutions and open workshops are integrated into this process.

Project partners, funding and data

Project partners of the joint project "Mobilefablabs: WI+R Verbundswerkstatt Lausitz" are the Open Knowledge Foundation Deutschland e.V., the AWO Brandenburg Süd e.V., the Wissenschaftsladen Potsdam e.V. and the University of Potsdam with the Chair of Business Informatics, esp. Processes and Systems. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research for a period of two years.