Leihwand: Requirements and Conceptualization of a Loan & Sharing System

Abstract

Loaning items such as tools leads to a high amount of administrative tasks in universities and other non-profit organisations.

Nevertheless, commercial automatic tool management systems are not affordable.

We therefore propose an interactive low-budget loan system, which is adaptable to various contexts of use, ranging from closed communities like a university to public access.

It can also be used as a sharing platform in public spaces and therefore contribute to a more sustainable way of consumption.

To understand the requirements of the different contexts of use, we conducted and analysed in-depth interviews with relevant staff members and potential users.

Based on these requirements, technical possibilities were considered and a first system concept has been developed.

The concept includes affordable commercial-off-the-shelf hardware (e.g. Raspberry Pi), which enables novel interaction concepts, such as face or speech recognition.

Additionally, its modular storage system allows a high degree of flexibility and adaptability while still being easy to produce, repair, and maintain.