Discovering new applications for steel technologies
voestalpine Stahl GmbH wanted to find new applications to their technologies which optimized product properties of steel. To achieve this, the team reached out to the HYVE Crowd, with the objective of utilizing their international community with more than 10,000 innovators from different backgrounds, for generating new applications for two of their technologies.
Exploring use cases for the ‘Tailormade Functional Steel’ technology
This project focused on exploring diverse applications for the newly developed ‘Tailormade Functional Steel’ technology through a one-month competition integrated into an agile innovation process. The project was realized as part of voestalpine’s new business incubator (nbi).
HYVE supported the competition with a comprehensive topic-framing workshop, expert comments, and submission evaluations. This resulted in 177 use cases, generated by 106 participants, 331 comments, and 635 evaluations. The outstanding ideas led to two groundbreaking products:
- Intelligent Locker Inventory Systems: Inspired by the idea of a steel supermarket display rack that tracks inventory levels and notifies when stock is low, voestalpine Stahl GmbH, in collaboration with partner Variocube, developed an intelligent locker system. This system uses capacitive sensors to detect whether a locker is occupied, allowing for quicker access.
- Food Warming Shelves: voestalpine Stahl GmbH transformed the concept of food trays that keep cooked food warm into a functional shelf with a heating feature. Developed with partner Forster, these shelves are ideal for keeping food warm in bakeries, canteens, and conference events, ensuring that every employee enjoys a hot meal, even if they come later.
This steel applications contest has also truly showcased the incredible diversity and creativity within our community. From seasoned members who’ve been with us since 2014 to enthusiastic students and professionals, the range of ideas was inspiring.
Participants ranged from groups dedicated to bringing imaginative concepts to life to individuals from various fields – such as Space Engineering and architects traditionally focused on design challenges. This unique mix of backgrounds and expertise resulted in an impressive set of top ten ideas that reflect both the practical and visionary potential of steel applications.
Among the top ideas were flexible electrical radiators that can be placed anywhere without the need for pipes or wall attachments, smart display racks that monitor and alert when inventory is low, and heated gutters designed to prevent ice buildup. These innovative solutions not only showcase the practical potential of steel but also reflect the diverse expertise and imaginative thinking of our participants.
Learn more about this project here.
How material innovation is unveiling new steel applications
Through the innovative combination of different materials, these technologies aim to create exceptional product properties. As part of a crowdsourcing project, research was carried out into how these technologies could open up new fields of application and conquer markets.
- Clad Plates: These are tough and cost-effective, with a corrosion-resistant layer on top of a thicker steel base, available in thicknesses from 3 mm to 100 mm.
- PVD Coatings: These are very thin metallic coatings (10 micrometers) applied under reduced pressure, offering a range of properties and cost benefits. They’re used on steel sheets that are between 0.3 mm and 2.0 mm thick.
Within six weeks, the campaign resulted in 402 ideas, generated by 98 participants, along with 1,063 comments and 823 reviews from the community. This feedback provided a rich source of new ideas through careful community engagement and a thoughtful review process.
Five ideas for the energy-sector are currently thoroughly investigated with respect to technical feasibility and market interest.
Learn more about this project here.
HYVE Crowd: Your key to innovation
These successful projects highlight the immense value of crowdsourcing in the innovation process. With the HYVE Crowd, companies benefit from a global, diverse community of 10,000 creators who excel at identifying and developing new tech applications. These innovators are ready to generate new ideas, explore technology applications, and scout new technologies and trends. HYVE’s proven process helps to leverage the full potential of the crowd without the need to develop a platform or recruit participants yourself.
Moreover, the HYVE Crowd is adept at identifying tailored solutions that align with the company’s specific needs and industry context. Whether a tech startup is seeking groundbreaking applications for a newly developed technology, a manufacturing firm looking to find new products and markets, or a wholesaler aiming to innovate customer experiences, the Crowd can pinpoint solutions that address unique challenges and find opportunities and applications. And with their broad industry knowledge and network, HYVE consultants can even help drive the ideas further to ensure their implementation.
Looking ahead
We’re excited to be collaborating with voestalpine Stahl GmbH on an innovative project to explore new uses for steel sheets in constructing the cities of tomorrow. Stay curious and learn more!
