A startup from Saarland University has developed a system that uses only machine energy consumption data to analyze how intensively individual devices are used. The consumption data is sent to an online platform for analysis. Tradespeople can easily manage their machines via an app or web browser and even predict potential failures.
 
The core of the system developed by the Saarbrücken-based startup is a special plug, positioned between the monitored device's power cable and a standard electrical outlet. This device transmits the collected energy consumption data via a local wireless network to the modularly adaptable online platform developed by the founders. This allows customers to view and evaluate the processed data for their specific machine. "It's fascinating what the data can tell you. But first, you have to collect it. We supply this crucial piece of the puzzle," says Tim Vollmer, who founded the company "2log" with Friedemann Metzger. With their hardware and software, any device with a power connection can be digitally recorded and analyzed in just a few seconds.
 
The hardware offered also includes a reader developed by the founders, which was nominated for the 2020 German Design Award and, as a black disc, resembles an ice hockey puck. Users can insert a plastic card to access the corresponding machine. If they are authorized, an LED circle illuminates in blue, and the device is ready for use. If they are not authorized, the reader will illuminate in red. "We can use it not only to automate access authorization management but also to digitally map the entire process chain," explains Vollmer, adding that for data protection reasons, only the last five transactions are stored on the respective machine.
 
With the support of IT Inkubator GmbH and the contact point for knowledge and technology transfer at Saarland University, the startup is now targeting universities, training workshops, and the space-making community. Since February, the four-member team has also received support from the EXIST Startup Grant from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. In this way, 2log has already gained several clients, including the Architecture Workshop at the Technical University of Kaiserslautern. With the help of 2log, the workshop is open 24 hours a day. "Generally, we are interested in all industries where access control, registration, machine time accounting, and maintenance optimization play an important role," says Vollmer.