1
Initial Situation
SpaceTech GmbH specializes in the development and production of satellite components.
A critical step in this process is the precise placement of wiring diagrams on solar panels that must later deliver energy reliably in orbit.
These panels are highly complex one-of-a-kind pieces — each differing in size, shape, and connection structure. Because every panel is unique, conventional serial production processes cannot be applied.
To support employees in this demanding task, SpaceTech sought an augmented reality solution that meets the high quality standards of the aerospace industry.
The challenge
The greatest challenge was to develop a solution that could achieve repeatable precision within 0.3 mm despite the variations in size and shape of the panels. For employees, this meant maintaining the highest level of precision while remaining flexible.
The goal was therefore to create a system that is flexible, extremely precise, and adaptable, yet intuitive to use in daily operation.
2
From challenge to proof of concept within a CoCreation Day
With a clear goal in mind – to develop an augmented reality application – SpaceTech joined us at Lake Constance.
As part of a hackathon, we took this idea as a starting point and deliberately expanded it with new perspectives. That’s the strength of a CoCreation Day: instead of pursuing only the most obvious solution, multiple approaches emerge within a short time, broadening the view and opening up new possibilities.
Together, we developed three solution concepts:
1. Augmented reality on a tablet
The solar panel is captured by the tablet camera while the digital wiring diagram is overlaid live onto the camera image.
2.
Mouse tracking
The panel and a modified computer mouse are filmed from above. The mouse’s position on the panel corresponds exactly to the cursor position on the digital wiring diagram on the computer.
3. Dual Projection
Two projectors positioned on either side project the wiring diagram onto the panel. This prevents workers from blocking the projection with their hands, as one line of sight always remains clear.
At the end of the CoCreation Day, these three approaches were presented and discussed — providing the ideal foundation for selecting and developing the most precise and practical solution in the next phase.
3
Our solution
The insights gained led to the development of Panelbeam — an AR system that projects digital wiring diagrams directly onto the solar panel using multiple synchronized projectors.
The key advantage: because the projections come from different angles, employees can work freely around the panel without creating shadows or blocking parts of the image. At the same time, the working angle of the panels remains flexible — they can be tilted or rotated as needed without any loss of precision.
In this way, Panelbeam combines the digital accuracy of augmented reality with the flexibility of manual manufacturing, making a crucial step in satellite production faster, safer, and more reliable.
4
From the idea to a product with impact
Panelbeam is not a large-scale project with complex cloud architecture, endless user story maps, or countless features.
Yet it delivers enormous value to SpaceTech’s employees because it solves what truly matters in everyday work: precision, flexibility, and reliability.We are proud that during the CoCreation Day hackathon, we were able to create a solution that immediately brought measurable value to SpaceTech.
The project also demonstrates that good user experience does not always follow a standard formula — it must be shaped consistently around the needs of its users. Sometimes that means turning a joystick into an interface and a projector into a display. And that is exactly where its strength lies: simple, effective, and closely aligned with the real-world context of those who use it every day.
