Interview with Jakob Mali- the student idea is trying to set a new standard in production

15.09.2021

Jakob Mali is a student at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, who managed to convince the jury with the idea of Smart Pad Systems and won the first competition with his team at the IRT Industrial Forum "IRT3000 is looking for a potential student business idea". The guiding principle of the project idea stems from the challenges of Industry 4.0, which is increasingly automating and digitizing production.

»Jakob Mali, a sophomore student at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana (on the left) being handed the award for the winning idea of Smart Pad Systems in the competition " "IRT3000 is looking for a potential student business idea". | Photo: IRT3000 archive

Each product has its own code where the data is written. Their packaging and pallets are also provided with codes. These codes are most often formatted with barcodes or QR codes. Jakob Mali would replace the existing technologies with an NFC badge, thus simplifying the identification process and at the same time enabling more precise control. In addition to careful reading, the Smart Pad will ensure that code is supplemented, modified, adapted, and stored. In addition to the standardized code, users will also be able to write internal code to the system.

IRT3000: How and when did your idea come about? Perhaps you were prompted to do so by personal experience?

Jakob Mali: Our idea came up during Sunday's family celebration, when my brother Matevž and I talked about various topics related to mechanical engineering, entrepreneurship, and industry. The motive for it comes from domestic industry, as it is typical for many Slovenian companies that they do not produce finished products, but semi-finished products. These must be packaged, marked, and delivered to the customer, who will install them in the final product. In these circumstances, however, our system shines.

How has your idea evolved and changed from conception to now?

Like each one, it went through different stages. From the very idea that we had to adapt and hone that its implantation in production has made sense, to the technology needed to be able to write all the necessary data on an NFC chip with suitable readers and then easily read it later.

What stage is it currently in?

We are currently completing the first phase. We have a business model, a marketing strategy, a financial plan, we understand the technology and we have solved the shortcomings we have encountered. The last part of the first phase, which has not yet been completed, is the search for investors.

Who are your end users and how would you or do you intend to convince them to use your system? What are the significant benefits of Smart Pad Systems?

Our end users are currently all product manufacturers that need traceability. After the implantation of our system in the production of a partner company and a successful first year of use, we will have a working system that will confirm all the advantages offered in practice. After this period, we will present the system to industry at Slovenian and European fairs. With all the data collected, we will confirm the added value we promise when using Smart Pad Systems.

The advantage of Smart Pad Systems lies in the choice of technology. It uses NFC data recording technology instead of 2D codes. The versatility of this technology allows us to increase the amount of record, enable data transcription and thus reuse, increase resistance to external factors, with SPS mobile application we can read data without the use of scanners and allows us greater data security.

What needs to be done to make your idea a standard in the industry?

By the time our idea would become a standard in the industry, we are separated by quite a few years of hard work. The first step on the way to this is to raise enough funds to be able to continue with the development and the second phase.

How did you take care of the intellectual protection of your idea?

Patenting the idea is one of the main goals of the second phase in the Smart Pad Systems story. As a result, we have not yet introduced the technology we are developing that is needed for the system to work. It is only possible to see a presentation of our idea and a CAD model of the palette, which will always be adapted to the customer and his existing line.

What's next? What is your business plan and how did you outline the further development of the system?

In the next phase, in addition to patenting the technology, we will also develop the SPS mobile application, establish a network of suppliers and develop a prototype system that will be installed in the production of the partner company.

Our business plan is based on the practice of B2B business cooperation. Our system is very diverse and therefore extremely flexible for all existing lines. In this way, we facilitate and make the transition to Smart Pad systems as easy as possible for our customers. We constantly follow our slogan that we are not just technology suppliers, but your new partner.

»Smart Pad Systems, a potential student business idea in the making. | Photo: IRT3000 archive

Among other things, the organizers of the competition strive to present their system in an international environment at the next EIT Jumpstarter event. What do you expect from possible cooperation with the EIT? How are the preparations for this competition going?

We are currently discussing with the team various options for obtaining the necessary funds for further work. One option, of course, is the EIT Jumpstarter. The European Institute of Innovation and Technology is a very strong and important partner for us. With a wide network of partners and hubs across Europe, it offers a unique opportunity to expand the market.

You are a 2nd year student at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ljubljana. What do you think is most crucial for your personal and professional development, strengthening your knowledge and skills and putting ideas into practice?

After participating in various projects and summer schools, I can say that the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering has offered me a breadth of knowledge, which I notice is extremely important in developing an idea, leading a team, and thinking critically.

It is also extremely important that you surround yourself with people who believe in your ideas, support you and are critical of you, because they only want the best for you. Of course, it takes enough self-initiative, courage and will to go into the unknown and complete the task.

»EIT Jumpstarter is a pre-acceleration program for innovators in the field of manufacturing, material science, energy, urban mobility, healthcare and agri- -food. The program is ideal for team with an innovative business idea, that want to start their own company. With the contribution of the best experts in their field, a creative community and unique knowledge, ETI targets are the support of idea holders in order for them to transform their ideas into a business. They help them to create a feasible business model around their innovative idea of a product or service, validate it and if their business idea is sustainable, they encourage them to found a company. | Photo: EIT

What impact does the university environment, specifically your faculty, have on fostering student creativity and innovation?

In my opinion, the biggest advantage of university life is the opportunity to meet people who are full of knowledge and willing to share it.

The current situation with coronavirus has also greatly reduced the student environment and opportunities for collaboration. Nevertheless, they did their best at our faculty and helped us to the best of their ability. Personally, I had excellent experience with two laboratories - the LAZAK Quality Assurance Laboratory and the LABOD Laboratory of Machining. This competition was also created in cooperation with the EIT Manufacturing Hub Slovenia, which operates under the auspices of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana.

But how can the industry help to increase the transfer of experience from the business world and further encourage collaboration with students?

In this area, Slovenia lags other countries in Europe and around the world. Abroad, they have a very well-developed so-called internship, which provides a quality insight into the company's operations and the transfer of experience. In our country, we come closest to this with student work. But so, the student gets experience in only one department and does not see the whole operation of the company or production. Which, of course, is a great pity, as we have extremely good companies in the domestic environment that could offer experiences comparable, if not better, than abroad.

Interviewed by Jernej Kovač