Product Development Research Lab Podcast

The provided academic paper introduces and develops the concept of triple-use innovation, which systematically expands the traditional dual-use paradigm (civilian and military applications) to fundamentally embed sustainability as a third, co-equal dimension. This new framework advocates for an integrated innovation process where technological development is aligned with planetary boundaries and focused on enhancing systemic resilience against converging climate and security crises. By drawing upon concepts like Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) and resilience thinking, the authors propose a structured approach for co-designing civil, defense, and sustainability goals from the inception stages of invention through incubation and final implementation. Ultimately, the paper establishes the theoretical foundation for a model that moves beyond fragmented policy to ensure that innovation strengthens both security and environmental viability under conditions of global uncertainty.

The academic paper "AI-Powered Value Co-creation: A Case Study Approach to Smart PSS Development" explores the strategic adoption and impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on value co-creation within Product-Service Systems (PSS) across various industrial sectors. The authors argue that while the technical implementation of AI in PSS is often prioritized, the strategic rationale for its use and its influence on collaborative value creation are often overlooked. Using a multiple case study approach across fields like healthcare and industrial systems engineering, the research identifies three key benefits of AI: fostering stakeholder collaboration, uncovering novel value propositions, and building dynamic knowledge ecosystems. The paper organizes its findings by distinguishing between AI's role in co-production (design stages) and value-in-use (operational stages) of a PSS, ultimately concluding that AI acts as a powerful catalyst for transforming data into actionable insights and enabling resource integration.

This text is an excerpt from a 2025 research article published in Machining Science and Technology titled "A prediction of cutting forces using extended Kienzle-Sağlam force model incorporating tool flank wear progression" by Peng Wu and colleagues. The primary focus of the study is to enhance the accuracy of cutting force prediction in metal cutting by modifying the existing Kienzle-Sağlam force model to include the effects of tool rake angle and tool flank wear progression. The authors conducted orthogonal and longitudinal turning experiments to calibrate and validate the new regression model, demonstrating that flank wear significantly influences the radial and feed force components. The findings are significant for advancing the development of future sensor-embedded cutting tools used for monitoring tool life and cutting process stability.

Deep Dive episode on the PhD thesis of Raj Jiten Machchhar.

Deep Dive episode on the Licentiate thesis of Mubeen Ur Rehman.

This deep dive episode goes through and introduces a novel framework that integrates Super-System Digital Twins (SSDT) with eXtended Reality (XR) to enhance the design and decision-making processes for smart Product Service Systems (sPSS). The researchers applied this framework to a case study involving the development of a Smart Electric Tourist Bus, collaborating with a global manufacturer. The methodology involved semi-structured interviews and design experiments with cross-functional teams to validate the framework's effectiveness. While the study confirms that the SSDT-XR integration significantly improves immersive collaboration, decision-making, and communication efficiency, it also identifies challenges such as data integration delays, limited real-time editing, and high implementation costs. Ultimately, the research highlights the potential of combining SSDT and XR to foster innovation in sPSS design, offering pathways for future research into scalability and diverse applications.

This deep dive episode goes through a paper published in Design Science, regarding an integrated simulation framework designed for value exploration in System-of-Systems (SoS), particularly within the context of the manufacturing sector's shift toward product-service systems (PSS). The framework utilizes agent-based simulation (ABS), emphasizing multifidelity, modular, and multidisciplinary features to address challenges in evaluating performance across diverse operational scenarios. A case study in the quarry industry demonstrates the framework's application, showcasing how it can assess the feasibility and value of various electric-autonomous transport solutions under different conditions, ultimately aiding early-stage design decisions. The research highlights the importance of understanding contextual influences and the impact of varying fidelity levels on simulation results and computational effort.

This article from the Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing presents a study on developing an intelligent quality controller for deep drawing in automotive manufacturing, specifically for the Volvo XC90 inner front door. The authors explore using numerically generated data from stochastic finite element models to train an Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The goal is to identify controllable and uncontrollable process variables and validate the ANN's ability to predict optimal cushion force in an industrial setting, aiming to improve deep drawing process control. The research highlights the potential of synthetic data in creating robust quality control systems for complex manufacturing operations in the context of Industry 4.0.

Recent academic contributions explore the integration of Digital Twins (DTs) within smart Product-Service System (sPSS). This integration aims to innovate business propositions, hardware and services. However, gaps persist in developing DT environments to support early-stage collaborative innovation for sPSS, and limited studies explore how real-time synchronized digital replicas enhance value co-creation in this area. This paper addresses this gap by presenting a framework and practical example of integrating value-driven decision support into early sPSS conceptual design. A case study on the development of the Smart Electric Vehicle (SEV) conducted with a global automotive Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) demonstrates the framework’s efficacy. Through qualitative data analyses based on experimental validation in a case company, the DT proves effective in aiding decision makers in selecting value-adding configurations within specific scenarios. Furthermore, the DT serves as a visual decision-making tool, fostering collaboration across diverse teams within the automotive company. This collaboration facilitates value creation across practitioners with varied backgrounds, emphasizing the DT’s role in enhancing early-stage innovation and co-creation processes in the sPSS domain.

Increasing sustainability expectations requires support for the design of systems that are reactive in minimizing potential negative impact and proactive in guiding engineering decision-making toward more value-robust long-term decisions. This article identifies a gap in the methodological support for the design of circular systems, building on the hypothesis that computer-based simulation models will drive the development of more value-robust systems designed to behave positively in a changeable operational environment during the whole lifecycle. The article presents a framework for value-robust circular systems design, complementing the current approaches for circular design aimed at increasing decision-makers' awareness about the complexity of circular systems to be designed. The framework is theoretically described and demonstrated through its applications in four case studies in the field of construction machinery investigating new circular solutions for the future of mining, quarrying and road construction. The framework supports the development of more resilient and sustainable systems, strengthening the feedback loop between exploring new technologies, proposing innovative concepts and evaluating system performance.

The paper presents a replicable simulation architecture to assess the economic, environmental, and resilience performance of commercial electric and automated marine passenger transport systems. Built on Discrete Event Simulation (DES), the architecture balances simulation complexity and detail in early system development. It comprises key components such as the modelling framework, data flow, data integration and user interface. A case study in Karlskrona, Sweden, demonstrates its application, showing that DES enhances transparency, facilitates stakeholder communication, and supports iterative solution refinement. The results highlight the architecture’s potential to support sustainable urban waterborne transport and decision-making under uncertainty.

The Virtual Production Studio Lab (VPSL) is highlighted as a dual-use environment, merging mechanical engineering research with the gaming and movie industries, particularly focusing on virtual production using LED technology instead of traditional green screens.

This episode explores the various benefits of virtual production, including enhanced creative control, cost efficiency, flexibility, and improved lighting, emphasizing its role in sustainable practices.

Furthermore, it analyzes the energy consumption and associated costs of the VPSL facility from September to December, noting that all energy used is from 100% renewable sources.

Deep Dive episode on Resilience in electricity & charging systems (RECS) research project.

The transport sector accounts for a significant share of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, and the project’s goal is to reduce these by improving resilience, energy efficiency and environmental impact, and optimizing a marine transport system. Waterborne public transport has great potential to reduce congestion and increase capacity in cities, especially by utilizing waterways in combination with road and rail transport networks.The project has investigated different solutions for a marine transport system, with a particular focus on energy efficiency, charging, energy storage and infrastructure. A central goal has been to develop a model to optimize a system that can withstand disruptions in energy supply. Through simulations, the system’s dimensioning, battery storage and use of fuel cells have been evaluated to improve both resilience and operational reliability.The results show that it is possible to develop a more resilient and flexible transport system by combining electrification, land-based battery storage and fuel cells on board ships. This system has the potential to reduce climate impact, improve accessibility and increase transport efficiency, especially in cities. The simulations indicate that the system can reduce both energy and time consumption in urban traffic. To further develop the system, future tests and optimization using AI for real-time operation are planned, as well as tests of the system in Karlskrona. In addition, the possibility of implementing a dual-use use of the system is being investigated, which would make it possible to use the ferries for other purposes, such as evacuating civilians and animals or transporting supplies and injured people. 

Deep Dive episode on the Licentiate thesis of Wu Peng.

Deep Dive episode on Virtual Production Studio Lab project.

The idea for Virtual Production Studio Lab emerged from Blekinge Institute of Technology's research and aimed to create a meeting point for the film, gaming, and traditional manufacturing industries.

The project, backed by BTH, Region Blekinge, and Karlskrona Municipality, envisioned a hub for virtual production research, education, and industry collaboration.

The journey began with Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) in 2022-2023 to test technologies and processes. This led to the selection of Creative Technology as the technical supplier and the installation of a 25x6 meter LED wall in Blue Port Studios, named Karlskrona Blue Port Studios. Simultaneously, the first university course in Virtual Production in Sweden was launched at BTH. VPSL is now a platform for film production, digital twins, XR research, and industrial collaboration. It supports research, university courses, and commercial productions.

Over 10 new R&D projects have emerged using VPSL and it has been demonstrated to over 1200 visitors. VPSL is recognised as a regional testbed and part of NATO’s DIANA initiative.

The project is entering a new phase with the municipality of Karlskrona taking over operations, ensuring long-term sustainability for the film production.

VPSL aims to be an international node for visualisation, simulation, and digital production.