EDNA nominated for the Red Dot: Luminary at the Red Dot Award: Design Concept 2020
EDNA - the ecosystem for production processes and the future of the connected factory from the Industry category, is designed by Intuity Media Lab GmbH from Germany, and partners EMAG GmbH & Co. KG as the manufacturer for this project. The design concept has been nominated for the highest achievement at the Red Dot Award: Design Concept 2020 - the Red Dot: Luminary. The top accolade at the competition serves as an inspiration to aspire towards. The design concept is used in an industrial process setting, a modular ecosystem of interconnected software and machine components that enables transparency and real-time process optimisation between self-controlling objects. An interview with the design team.
Tell us about the design team and EDNA.
The EMAG Group is a manufacturer of machine tools. We develop and build machines for different processing technologies (such as lathing, milling, laser welding or inductive hardening). These can be used as individual machines or as system solutions. EMAG primarily offers solutions for the automotive, commercial vehicle, aerospace and power generation sectors.
Intuity is the partner for systems design and digital product and service development.
We have been working with EMAG since 2017 on the EDNA initiative to develop the full potential of networked manufacturing.
EMAG-DNA - "EDNA" for short - is an adaptive ecosystem that redefines the topic of the Smart Factory. EDNA consists of hardware and software for networking machines and their users. This ensures the transparency of complex production processes. EDNA is primarily the combination of a uniform user interface for machines, and secondly it is a sophisticated IoT & Cloud solution.
What is the role of design in a process driven project like EDNA?
EDNA revolutionises mechanical engineering through design. The human being is at the centre of this. Away from purely linear, to foresighted and adaptive processes. We use design as a foundation to minimise the increasing complexity of digital networked production. Our interface is the "blue window" to the machine and the whole machine production line. Simple, Unified, and Networked.
When designing (a machine or interfaces for factories or industry, what are the additional or unique challenges facing designers?
Creating a "map for production" is complex. Systemically, as well as technically. We superimpose an existing system at every level and replace an old value creation logic with new principles. As designers we develop perspectives, explore and define vision.
If somebody ask you if he or she should be a designer, what is your advice?
Do not compromise in the design.Interests, expertise, enthusiasm, the ability to work in a team and a good inner compass are a prerequisite and the core of our daily business. Designing means taking responsibility.
Red Dot Award: Design Concept celebrates winners on 6 and 7 October
The winners of Red Dot Award: Design Concept 2020 will be honoured for their design accomplishments, their celebratory and winning moments filled with glitters and confetti will be presented online during the Online Award Celebration from the 6th October 2020. The highest level of distinction accorded at the award, the Red Dot: Luminary, will be revealed online on 7th October 2020 at 6pm Singapore Standard Time.