When an Idea Becomes True Innovation
How do you automatically sort thousands of used LEGO bricks back into complete sets? What sounds like a manageable task at first quickly turns into a rather complex mix of mechanics, software, artificial intelligence, and a whole lot of tinkering.
That was exactly what our event “The LEGO Sorting Machine – Experience Innovation Up Close,” held in collaboration with reBricker as part of “Capital Meets Innovation.”
In a deliberately small group, the participants got a direct look behind the scenes of the development project. It wasn’t just about presenting the finished solution; the journey to get there was much more exciting.
Try, fail, improve
reBricker openly demonstrated the technical challenges involved in developing an automated LEGO sorting machine. From the hardware and mechanics to the software and the custom-developed AI for recognizing different bricks, it became clear just how many components must work together reliably. The insights gained from the development process were particularly interesting:
- Which ideas worked in theory but not in practice?
- Which approaches were rejected again?
- And after numerous tests, which solutions ultimately proved effective?
It was precisely this open approach to detours and failed attempts that made it clear how innovation actually comes about: rarely in a straight line, but rather with a great deal of perseverance, technical expertise, and a willingness to constantly rethink things. In addition to technical development, the economic perspective also played an important role. After all, a functioning machine alone does not make for a successful product.
Together, they therefore also discussed how such an innovation could be marketed, which target groups would be suitable, and how a technical idea could be turned into a viable business model.
During the discussion that followed, the participants took advantage of the small group setting to ask numerous questions and were able to delve deeper into the topics that were of particular interest to them. This quickly led to an open exchange of ideas among the fields of technology, entrepreneurship, and marketing.
Innovation You Can Touch
The evening demonstrated once again that innovation often begins with a seemingly simple question—and becomes exciting as soon as you try to truly solve it. Many thanks to reBricker for providing an open look into the development process, and to all participants for their questions, perspectives, and personal exchanges.
Curious now?
Our contact persons will be happy to help:
Matthias Brinkmann
+49 911 47494949
brinkmann@twobe.de
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