COSM
Smart Measuring and Planning System for Skilled Trades
DURATION:
Oct. 2025 - Feb. 2026
TEAM:
Natalie Gröner, Jessica Messer, Nina Papadopoulos
CLIENT:
MY TASKS:
User Resaerch • Design Futuring • User Interface • System Concept
COSM
Smart Measuring and Planning System for Skilled Trades
DURATION:
Oct. 2025 - Feb. 2026
TEAM:
Natalie Gröner, Jessica Messer, Nina Papadopoulos
CLIENT:
MY TASKS:
User Resaerch • Design Futuring • User Interface • System Concept
COSM
Smart Measuring and Planning System for Skilled Trades
DURATION:
Oct. 2025 - Feb. 2026
TEAM:
Natalie Gröner, Jessica Messer, Nina Papadopoulos
CLIENT:
MY TASKS:
User Resaerch • Design Futuring • User Interface • System Concept
SKIP TO CONTENTS
SKIP TO CONTENTS
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Construction planning breaks down before the work even starts
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Construction planning breaks down before the work even starts
In construction, the first site inspection sets the foundation for every working step.
Yet, for small skilled trade businesses, crucial details are missed, documented inconsistently, or passed on verbally — causing information to get lost before work even begins.
The result: poor planning, missing materials, extra deliveries, delays, higher costs, and unnecessary CO₂ emissions for the whole construction site.
In construction, the first site inspection sets the foundation for every working step.
Yet, for small skilled trade businesses, crucial details are missed, documented inconsistently, or passed on verbally — causing information to get lost before work even begins.
The result: poor planning, missing materials, extra deliveries, delays, higher costs, and unnecessary CO₂ emissions for the whole construction site.
Professional painter on a first construction site visit
Professional painter on a first construction site visit
MAKING CRAFTSMANSHIP FUTURE-PROOF
COSM combines smart measuring technology with AI to turn construction site data into actionable planning insights, helping craftspeople define project scope, estimate materials, and meet sustainability requirements more efficiently.
MAKING CRAFTSMANSHIP FUTURE-PROOF
COSM combines smart measuring technology with AI to turn construction site data into actionable planning insights, helping craftspeople define project scope, estimate materials, and meet sustainability requirements more efficiently.
Process
Process
Client Innovation Workshop: The Future of Power Tools with Festool
Client Innovation Workshop: The Future of Power Tools with Festool
In collaboration with Festool, we explored how future technologies could support professional tradespeople in woodworking, painting, and construction.
We started with an on-site design futuring workshop at Festool. Through STEEP analysis, Futures Wheel, and 2×2 scenario mapping, we identified future-relevant shifts in the trades and translated them into strategic opportunity areas for product innovation.
In collaboration with Festool, we explored how future technologies could support professional tradespeople in woodworking, painting, and construction.
We started with an on-site design futuring workshop at Festool. Through STEEP analysis, Futures Wheel, and 2×2 scenario mapping, we identified future-relevant shifts in the trades and translated them into strategic opportunity areas for product innovation.
Using the Futures Wheel as a method during the workshop with Festool
Using the Futures Wheel as a method during the workshop with Festool
Key Insights
Key Insights
Target User Problem
Client Opportunity
Target User Problem
Client Opportunity
Poor planning creates costly delays
Information gets lost between planning and execution
Festool can expand from tools to workflow support
Client Opportunity
Poor planning creates costly delays
Information gets lost between planning and execution
Festool can expand from tools to workflow support
Client Opportunity
SOLVING FUTURE PROBLEMS TODAY
How might we support small skilled trade businesses in capturing accurate site information early, so they can prevent material and tool shortages and plan CO₂ budgets more reliably?
SOLVING FUTURE PROBLEMS TODAY
How might we support small skilled trade businesses in capturing accurate site information early, so they can prevent material and tool shortages and plan CO₂ budgets more reliably?
Co-developing a Measuring and Planning System with Painters
Co-developing a Measuring and Planning System with Painters
To ground COSM in real-world workflows, we co-developed the concept with painting companies, using continuous feedback to refine the system throughout the design process.
To ground COSM in real-world workflows, we co-developed the concept with painting companies, using continuous feedback to refine the system throughout the design process.
Professional painter giving feedback on the COSM prototype
Professional painter giving feedback on the COSM prototype
Solution
Solution
MT CS 360: Precise Measuring Technology meets AI to reveal what the human eye misses
MT CS 360: Precise Measuring Technology meets AI to reveal what the human eye misses
MT CS 360 (Measuring Tool Cordless Single Battery 360° Scan) is a smart robot that gathers necessary data from the construction site using its built-in sensors. With modern technology, it can move autonomously within the area.
MT CS 360 (Measuring Tool Cordless Single Battery 360° Scan) is a smart robot that gathers necessary data from the construction site using its built-in sensors. With modern technology, it can move autonomously within the area.
Technology and features of measuring robot MT CS 360
Technology and features of measuring robot MT CS 360
Once out of the systainer and set up, it moves autonomously and provides user feedback via LED and connection to the tablet application.
Once out of the systainer and set up, it moves autonomously and provides user feedback via LED and connection to the tablet application.
MT CS 360 in different states
MT CS 360 in different states
Connecting data to scope of work with client
Connecting data to scope of work with client
While MT CS 360 tours the renovation site, job details and scope can be discussed and documented together with the client.
Measuring data is processed in real time and can be viewed on the COSM app. Using the data and job details, a scope of tasks is created automatically and displayed in the system.
While MT CS 360 tours the renovation site, job details and scope can be discussed and documented together with the client.
Measuring data is processed in real time and can be viewed on the COSM app. Using the data and job details, a scope of tasks is created automatically and displayed in the system.
Discussing project scope with client, a scope of tasks is generated automatically using measuring data and the defined tasks
Discussing project scope with client, a scope of tasks is generated automatically using measuring data and the defined tasks
Clear scope and simple preparation for workers
Clear scope and simple preparation for workers
Back at the company, a painter gets assigned the job. He can easily acsess the details via the COSM app.
Back at the company, a painter gets assigned the job. He can easily acsess the details via the COSM app.
Easy access for every employee
Users can view a precise floor plan of the construction site, including a complete task list of everything included in the job. The scope is precise and easy to understand.
Easy access for every employee
Users can view a precise floor plan of the construction site, including a complete task list of everything included in the job. The scope is precise and easy to understand.
No more hidden errors
No more hidden errors
Even hidden problems such as mold can be detected via the MT CS 360 sensors - an advantage that human eyes cannot find.
Even hidden problems such as mold can be detected via the MT CS 360 sensors - an advantage that human eyes cannot find.
Project overview
Project detail view
Project overview
Project detail view
All required tools and materials in one custom packing overview
All required tools and materials in one custom packing overview
COSM can precisely calculate what material and how much is needed for the tasks as well as which tools are needed to complete the scope accurately. The system has access to the company’s inventory and can therefore provide accurate information.
COSM can precisely calculate what material and how much is needed for the tasks as well as which tools are needed to complete the scope accurately. The system has access to the company’s inventory and can therefore provide accurate information.
Custom tool and material overview, calculated for every project
Custom tool and material overview, calculated for every project
Full control on environmental impact
Full control on environmental impact
By consciously choosingwhat material and tools to use, craftspeople can influence the environmental factor of the project. COSM provides sustainable alternative material recommendations.
By consciously choosingwhat material and tools to use, craftspeople can influence the environmental factor of the project. COSM provides sustainable alternative material recommendations.
The impact of the decisions can be calculated and viewed within COSM.
Emission data can be calculated using all gathered information about the project
The impact of the decisions can be calculated and viewed within COSM.
Emission data can be calculated using all gathered information about the project
Budget CO2 emissions - highly relevant in a sustainable future
Budget CO2 emissions - highly relevant in a sustainable future
COSM calculates the emissions of the project and helps to budget them.
With construction sites and craftsmanship facing many regulations already, this becomes even more relevant in a future scenario where every construction project must follow strict emission budgets and track them.
COSM calculates the emissions of the project and helps to budget them.
With construction sites and craftsmanship facing many regulations already, this becomes even more relevant in a future scenario where every construction project must follow strict emission budgets and track them.
Easy overview of emissions
Easy overview of emissions
Client Feedback: Positive Response and New Insights
Client Feedback: Positive Response and New Insights
During the final presentation, representatives from Festool praised our user-centered research and development approach and noted that the project provided valuable new insights for their team.
They also expressed interest in further exploring measuring technology in combination with robotics and software, describing it as a promising area for future innovation.
During the final presentation, representatives from Festool praised our user-centered research and development approach and noted that the project provided valuable new insights for their team.
They also expressed interest in further exploring measuring technology in combination with robotics and software, describing it as a promising area for future innovation.
