Catalogue

Maker Catalogue 3 (Summer Semester 2025)

ROBOTICS

Community Event: This semester, we’re starting with pizza and a shared mission: exploring what robotics can do in the Maker Universe. Whether you’re into hardware, automation, machine learning, or just curious about the Maker Universe in general — this event is for you. Meet the people behind our robotics activities. The event is hosted by Nikita, Gian, and Holger. Nikita leads the Hardware Studio and brings experience in robotics systems and rapid prototyping. Gian supports the Maker Universe team and students with hands-on knowledge and organization. Holger is the Head of the Maker Universe and supports the development of all robotics-related formats this semester. The event is limited to 25 participants. 15th May (4:00 – 6:00 PM)

Build a robot arm: Our hardware team invites you to help us build DIY robot arms. These arms are the foundation for our AI Robotics course this year. This workshop is hosted by our Hardware Studio Lead Nikita, who has previously tested these robot arms with Felix from the HPI AI Services team to kickstart our robotics program. The workshop is limited to 12 participants due to the availability of materials. 26th May (2:30 – 5:00 PM)

AI & Robotics Course: In this course, you will build your own robot application. The course combines weekly interactive workshops and hands-on project work. At the end of the course, you will receive a certificate recognizing your achievement in AI & Robotics. To participate in this course, you need to have solid experience with Python & AI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini work on weekly assignments (ca. 5 – 7 hours per week). This course is hosted by Shreyas, co-founder and AI engineer at tuul.ai, who is passionate about leveraging AI to solve real-world challenges. Nikita, our Hardware Studio lead, is co-mentoring teams in between sessions. The course is limited to 12 participants to provide enough personal support for everyone. Every Wednesday, from May 28th to July 23rd (4:00–5:30 PM)

Robotics × Farming Hackathon: Our robotics activities culminate in a crossover hackathon late in the semester. Participants will develop new applications for greenhouse and sustainable farming systems using existing robotics infrastructure from the Maker Universe. Date to be announced during semester

FARMING

Herb Stand Design Studies: Whether it's for your kitchen, balcony, or windowsill — in this exploratory session, we will sketch different variations of a herb stand. The best design will serve as the blueprint for our upcoming workshop. The session is hosted by Nicolai and Holger. Nicolai, the co-founder of Fab Lab Berlin and is examining the feasibility aspects of all designs from this session. Holger is Head of the Maker Universe and is responsible for the “design studies” program. The session is limited to only 4 participants to ensure a focused design process. Please note: The session will be recorded for research purposes. 19th May (3:00 – 4:00 PM)

Herb Stand: In this workshop, you will learn the basics of woodworking — including cutting, sanding, joining, and finishing — while crafting a functional home for fresh herbs. This workshop has been tested and refined to make sure you’ll leave with a beautiful result, even if you are new to woodworking. Your host for this day is Nicolai, who brings his passion for craftsmanship and hands-on learning to the Maker Universe. The workshop is limited to 8 participants to ensure everyone has enough personal guidance. 27th May (2:30 – 5:30 PM)

Smart Plants Design Studies: In this session, we’ll explore how smart plant systems could look and feel — from the interface to the housing and interaction. You’ll sketch and discuss design ideas that combine sensing, watering, and user control. Final designs may be considered for upcoming projects and workshops. The session is hosted by Alexander and Holger. Alexander is the co-founder of Open Hardware Makers and is examining the feasibility aspects of all designs from this session. Holger is Head of the Maker Universe and is responsible for the “design studies” program. Please note: The session will be recorded for research purposes. 23rd June (3:00 – 4:00 PM)

Smart Plants: In this two-part workshop, you will first build your own smart watering system using soil moisture sensors and pumps. In the second workshop, you will set up an application to ensure your plant is watered automatically. We have tested and refined the workshop to ensure you can build a working system in two days — even without prior electronics knowledge. Your host for both sessions is Alexander, who is a scientific advisor for Rayn, a project dedicated to sustainable and resilient agriculture. The workshop is limited to 8 participants due to limited materials. 30th June & 7th July (2:00 – 5:30 PM)

Community Event: This year, Elizabeth and the Maker Universe are teaming up to shape the future of urban farming. We aim for new designs, accompanied by research to bring together people and plants. Whether you’re a researcher, a tech enthusiast, a gardener, a community builder, or simply someone who loves working with plants, you are welcome to join us. We look forward to seeing you at our community event. Enjoy some green food and learn all about the project and how you can get involved. The event is hosted by Elizabeth and Holger. Elizabeth is a senior researcher and biostatistician at the Hasso Plattner Institute with a passion for vertical farming and innovative sustainability solutions. Holger is the supervisor for all upcoming activities on the topic of farming, in the HPI Maker Universe. The event is limited to 25 participants. 14th July (4:00 – 6:00 PM)

Clay Vessels for Urban Farming: In this intensive 6-hour workshop, you will learn the basics of working with clay while handcrafting unglazed vessels such as Ollas - traditional irrigation pots for gardening. Your creations will become part of our urban farming setup at the Maker Universe after drying and firing. The workshop takes place next to HPI’s campus, at INWOLE, a community space that supports projects across work, education, culture, and social engagement. The workshop is limited to 6 participants to ensure enough space for everyone. tba (10:00 – 4:00 PM)

Robotics × Farming Hackathon: Our farming activities culminate in a crossover hackathon late in the semester. Participants will develop new applications for greenhouse and sustainable farming systems using existing robotics infrastructure from the Maker Universe. Date to be announced during semester

INTERIOR

Design your Lamp: In this two-part workshop, you will dive into Rhino, the go-to software for advanced modeling and prototyping. You’ll learn modeling techniques to design your own lamp. After the workshop, you can continue refining your project during optional drop-in sessions, where you’ll receive personal support and learn alongside others. The workshop is hosted by David, who brings his experience as a maker and designer to help you create practical and well-crafted solutions. The workshop is limited to 6 participants to ensure personal support and access to tools. 20th & 22nd May (2:30 – 5:30 PM)

Modular Storage: In this workshop, you will build storage solutions to keep your workspace, studio, or kitchen neatly organized. Along the way, you’ll get a hands-on introduction to 3D printing. Prints are finished two hours after the workshop. The workshop is hosted by Nicolai, who shares his passion for practical design and helps you turn everyday needs into functional and well-crafted objects. The workshop is limited to 8 participants to ensure enough personal support for everyone. 24th June (1:30 – 4:30 PM)

Coffee Table Design Studies: In this session, we will sketch ideas for foldable coffee tables, experimenting with different shapes, functions, and folding techniques. The most promising design will become a candidate for our upcoming workshop. The session is hosted by Ilaria and Holger. Ilaria is a mechanical engineer who brings her expertise and passion for craftsmanship into the process. Holger is directing the design studies program. The session is limited to 4 participants to ensure a smooth design process. Please note: The session will be recorded for research purposes. 1st July (2:00 – 3:00 PM)

Coffee Table Design Studies with AI: In this session, we’ll use AI tools to spark creative foldable coffee table designs. Selected ideas will become candidates for our upcoming workshop. Your hosts are Ilaria, a mechanical engineer passionate about craftsmanship, Markus, a design and AI expert, and Holger, who facilitates the session. The session is limited to 4 participants due to limited access to AI tools. Please note: The session will be recorded for research purposes. 2nd July (2:00 – 4:00 PM)

Coffee Table: In this workshop, you will prototype a foldable coffee table using only laser-cut parts. From cardboard models to a functional wooden prototype, you will explore folding techniques and rapid prototyping in just a few hours. The workshop is hosted by Ilaria, a mechanical engineer who brings her passion for craftsmanship and hands-on making into this session. The workshop is limited to 4 participants due to limited laser-cutting capacities. 8th July (1:00 – 5:00 PM)

MEDIA & AI

Advanced Image Prompting: Learn cutting-edge prompting techniques for text-to-image generation using Stable Diffusion & Midjourney. You will discover how to craft effective prompts to create high-quality images with AI tools. The session is hosted by Markus, who combines his expertise in interaction design and AI to help you get the most out of these creative tools. The session is limited to 6 participants to ensure interactive learning and individual feedback. 23rd April (3:00 – 4:00 PM)

Make A Podcast: Explore the new podcast setup and learn how to create your own recordings. You will do a test recording and get to know the audio and video documentation setup in the new studio. The session is hosted by Björn, who brings his experience in media production to help you get started with podcasting. The session is limited to 4 participants due to limited space in the studio. 6th May (1:30 – 2:30 PM)

3D Modeling Basics for 3D Printing: Get to know the basics of 3D modeling with Blender. You will finish the workshop with a model you can 3D print right after it. The session is hosted by Markus, who brings his expertise in 3D design and digital fabrication to guide you through your first printable model. The session is limited to 6 participants to ensure hands-on support. 13th May (3:00 – 4:00 PM)

Portrait Photography & Post-Production In this session, you will learn how to shoot professional portraits in our photo studio and how to edit them using Adobe Photoshop and AI tools. The workshop is hosted by Markus, who shares his experience in photography and post-production to help you capture and enhance your portraits. The session is limited to 6 participants to ensure personal guidance and plenty of studio time. 10th June (3:00 – 4:30 PM)

Street & Architecture Photography: Learn the basics of street and architectural photography, focusing on composition and visual storytelling. Capture urban moments and architecture that reflect the city’s atmosphere and character. Bring your own camera or smartphone if possible. The workshop is hosted by Frank who is a professional photographer living in Berlin. The session is limited to 6 participants to ensure high quality during practical exercises. 12th June (4:00 – 6:00 PM)

ELECTRONICS & HARDWARE

Electronics Introduction: In this session, you will get to know the basics of essential electronic tools in the Maker Universe, from calipers to multimeters and microscopes. We will cover practical tips, common pitfalls, and tricks that most students overlook. The session is hosted by Tobias, who brings his experience in electronics to help you get started with confidence. The session is limited to 10 participants to ensure everyone has enough time for questions. 30th April (4:30 – 5:30 PM)

Build Your Own ATX Case: Many people run their own servers at home — and if you do, chances are you’ll want a case that fits your setup. In this workshop, you’ll design and build your own customizable ATX case, tailored to your hardware and needs. The session is hosted by Luca, a first-semester Master’s student and passionate maker who will guide you through the process. The workshop is limited to 6 participants. 6th May (5:00 – 7:30 PM)

Soldering: Learn how to solder hole and SMD components as well as wires in this hands-on introduction. You will practice essential soldering techniques and leave with the confidence to work on your own electronic projects. The session is hosted by Tobias, who shares his practical experience to help you master the basics safely and effectively. The workshop is limited to 5 participants to ensure individual time at the soldering stations. 7th May (4:30 – 5:30 PM) 21st May (4:30 – 5:30 PM)

Advanced Soldering: Learn how to solder SMT components using various advanced techniques. You will deepen your soldering skills and gain confidence in handling more complex electronic assemblies. The session is hosted by Tobias, who brings his expertise to guide you safely through the details of precise soldering work. The workshop is limited to 4 participants to ensure personal guidance. 4th June (1:30 – 4:00 PM)

Build your Airplane: In this two-day workshop, you will design, laser-cut, and assemble your own motorized foam core airplane, equipped with motors, servos, and radio electronics. You will then test your prototype with a maiden flight. The workshop is hosted by Nikita, who developed and tested this workshop to give you a hands-on introduction to aerodynamics, electronics, and rapid prototyping. The workshop is limited to 10 participants who will work in pairs on airplanes. 13th & 14th August (10:00 – 5:00 PM)

Autonomous Flying: In this workshop, you will equip your foam core airplane with GPS and flow sensors to make it navigate autonomously. You will program point-to-point missions and even test automated landings at the nearby airfield. The workshop is hosted by Nikita, who brings his experience in autonomous systems and prototyping to guide you through this exciting task. The workshop is limited to 6 participants. 20th August (10:00 – 5:00 PM)

Arcade Machine: Build your own custom arcade controller using laser-cut wooden parts, high-quality arcade buttons, and a joystick. You will learn how to design, cut, and assemble a fully functional arcade stick case, including wiring buttons, joystick, and controller board — basic soldering skills are required. The workshop is hosted by Sebastian, who designed and tested this workshop to share his passion for gaming hardware. The workshop is limited to 6 participants who will work in pairs. tba

From the Archives

Maker Catalogue 2 (Winter Semester 2024/25)

HARDWARE WORKSHOPS Resin printing: Bring your own model Resin printing is a high-quality, high-demand version of 3d printing. Bring your own digital model and get support. • 10th October (4:00 – 6:00 PM)

Textile: Vinyl cuts David introduces you to the new Vinyl Plotter. Feel free to bring your own design and get support. • 17th October (10:00 – 12:00 AM) • 22nd October (1:00 – 3:00 PM)

3D printing: Basics Get to know the basics of 3d printing with our expert David. We will cover the software, the printers, and the materials you need to make your first 3d print. • 24th October (1:00 – 2:30 PM) • 28th November (3:30 – 5:00 PM) • 10th December (10:30 – 12:00 AM)

CNC milling: Basics Nicolai teaches you how to use the new machine while building a handy desktop organizer. • 5th November (1:00 – 5:00 PM) • 14th January (1:00 – 5:00 PM)

Laser cutting: Basics David teaches you how to use our laser cutter safely and effective. This introduction workshop is mandatory for you to use our laser cutter. • 7th November (1:00 – 3:00 PM) • 3rd December (3:00 – 5:00 PM) • 12th December (1:00 – 3:00 PM) • 28th January (3:00 – 5:00 PM)

Smart neon sign with WLED Nicolai guides you in designing and building a custom neon sign, controllable via the WLED app. You will also design and print the sign holder. • 12th November (1:00 – 5:00 PM)

Electronics: Soldering Our expert Tobi offers an introduction on how to solder hole & SMD components and wires. No prior knowledge or equipment needed. • 14th November (2:00 – 3:30 PM) • 5th December (3:00 – 4:30 PM)

Electronics: Advanced Soldering Learn how to solder SMT components with various techniques. We expect you to know basic soldering skills to attend this workshop. • 21st November (2:00 – 4:00 PM)

Smart Plants In our next iteration of the smart plants workshop we use ESP and a sensor to measure the plant’s water level and install a pump that waters the plant when needed. Bring your own plant. • 25th November (3:15 – 6:00 PM)

Mini-Me Led by Nicolai, you will scan yourself and create a personalized 3D model. The designs are refined with 3D sculpting software and produced using a 3D printer. • 26th November (1:00 – 5:00 PM)

Prototyping Tour (English) This is not a workshop, but an inspirational tour. Nicolai introduces you to various tools in our Hardware & Media Studio. • 19th November (2:00 – 3:00 PM) • 17th December (3:30 – 4:30 PM) • 21st January (2:00 – 3:00 PM)

Textile: Sewing machine Get to know our new sewing machine and the possibility to digitally design stitch patterns. • 4th February (4:00 – 5:00 PM)

MEDIA WORKSHOPS Blender 3D Modeling Basics Markus will teach you the basics of hard surface 3D modelling in Blender. • 21st October (1:00 – 2:00 PM) • 19th November (4:00 – 5:00 PM)

Advanced image prompting with generative AI Markus teaches you cutting-edge prompting techniques for text to image generation using the example of Stable Diffusion. • 6th November (2:00 – 3:00 PM) • 8th January (4:00 – 5:00 PM)

Vocal Recording Björn covers the basics of microphone techniques, how to achieve quality voice recordings, and how to enhance them using AI post-processing. • 16th January (3:15 – 4:15 PM)

Professional portrait photography Markus guides you in shooting professional portraits in our photo studio and how to edit them in Adobe photoshop with AI. • 4th December (1:00 – 2:00 PM) • 11th February (1:00 – 2:00 PM)

TEAM WORKSHOPS Analysis of a project assignment (English) We will learn how to use the design charrette as a framework to identify potential users and use cases. • 14th October (10:05 – 12:15 AM)

Conducting open user interviews (German) We will take part in a real user interview to identify needs and then reflect on the techniques used in the interview. • 15th October (10:00 – 12:15 AM)

Pattern recognition in user data (German) We will get to know frameworks to find patterns in interview data in German language. • 28th October (1:30 – 4:30 PM)

From idea to prototype (English) You will get to know the so-called idea arc to refine early-stage ideas to prepare them for prototyping and implementation, guided by Prof. Alejandro Lecuna. • 4th November (1:00 – 6:00 PM)

Prototyping Exercises (English) What is good enough when it comes to prototyping? We will play two cooperative games and reflect results based on this fundamental question. • 17th December (1:30 – 3:00 PM)

Prototyping Big Tour (English) Get a more detailed overview in our Hardware & Media Studio tools during this tour, exclusively offered for Bachelor student teams and HPI Engine. • 5th November (1:00 – 3:00 PM)

Co-Creative Human-AI Innovation (English) Guided by Samuel Tschepe, we learn ways to use AI tools during the idea generation phase in a project. • 8th November (9:30 – 12:15 AM)

Conducting user tests (German) We will learn how to conduct and analyze a user test by having a live demo, and the reflect on setup. • 18th November (1:30 – 4:00 PM)

User Story Mapping (German) Guided by Agile Coach Markus Güntert, we will learn how to break down feature ideas into user stories along the customer journey, so that development can be prioritized. • 27th November (10:00 – 6:00 PM)

Roles & Team Chemistry (German) Markus Güntert will teach you about different roles in real software development teams in the industry. Explore your own profile and jointly define roles & responsibilities for your project team. • 2nd December (10:00 – 6:00 PM)

Maker Catalogue 1 (Summer Semester 2024)

OPEN SESSIONS No presentations. Only hands-on-experiences. Hardware

(1) Learn how to Solder Electronics (Bi-Lingual D&E). Our expert Tobi offers an introduction on how to solder hole & SMD components and wires. No prior knowledge or equipment needed. You can register on #maker-community a few days before the event takes place.

April 25th & May 16th, 1:30 – 2:30 PM; Maker Universe Prototyping Studio; House K; K-E.04

(2) Build your Plant Station with Smart Home Applications (Bi-Lingual D&E). Guided by Master Student Florian, you will create your own first prototype of a self-watering plant station and thereby learn how use ESP micro-controllers and sensors. You can register via #maker-community a few weeks before the event takes place.

May 15th, 3:30 – 6:30 PM; Maker Universe Prototyping Studio; House K; K-E.04

(3) Build your Motorized Foam Core Airplane (English). Guided by Master Student Nikita, you will learn how to build you first foam core plane using standard components, such as radio electronics, motors, and servos. Materials are provided by us. No prior knowledge needed. You can register via #maker-community a few weeks before the event takes place.

June 6th, 3:30 – 7:00 PM; Maker Universe Prototyping Studio; House K; K-E.04

Applied AI

(4) Generative AI: Prompting with Stable Diffusion (Bi-Lingual D&E). Our AI wizard Markus will teach you how to design prompts with Stable Diffusion to craft AI images in various styles. No prior knowledge or equipment needed. You can register on #maker-community a few days before the event takes place.

April 29th, 1:30 – 2:30 PM & June 11th, 3:15 – 4:15 PM; Maker Universe Media Studio; House K; K-E.03

(5) Upscaling & Inpainting with Stable Diffusion (Bi-Lingual D&E). Markus will teach you how to improve your AI image outcomes. Basic knowledge on AI prompting is expected, no equipment needed. You can register on #maker-community a few days before the event takes place.

May 22nd, 1:30 – 2:30 PM; Maker Universe Media Studio; House K; K-E.03

(6) Training AI models with Stable Diffusion (Bi-Lingual D&E). In our deep dive workshop, you will learn you how you can train your own AI models. You can register on #maker-community a few days before the event takes place.

July 4th, 3:15 – 5:15 PM; Maker Universe Media Studio; House K; K-E.03

Creator Tools

(7) Create 3D Models with Blender (Bi-Lingual D&E). You will learn how to use Blender to create 3D models. Feel free to print your model on one of our 3D printers, afterwards. You can register via #maker-community a few days before the event takes place.

May 7th, 1:30 – 2:30 PM & May 21st, 3:00 – 4:00 PM; Maker Universe Media Studio; House K; K-E.03

(8) Create Animations with After Effects (Bi-Lingual D&E). Markus knows a thing or two about video production. Learn how to animate text for your next video with our expert Markus. No prior knowledge or equipment needed. You can register via #maker-community a few days before the event takes place.

June 11th, 1:30 – 2:30 PM; Maker Universe Media Studio; House K; K-E.03

(9) Edit your Videos with Premiere (Bi-Lingual D&E). Make great videos for your next project. Markus will teach you how to edit short videos with a professional look. You can register via #maker-community a few days before the event takes place.

June 19th, 1:30 – 2:30 PM; Maker Universe Media Studio; House K; K-E.03

(10) Color Correct your Videos with Premiere (Bi-Lingual D&E). The impact of color correction cannot be underestimated. Markus will teach you how to turn your video into a stunning visual experience. You can register via #maker-community a few days before the event takes place.

June 20th, 1:30 – 2:30 PM; Maker Universe Media Studio; House K; K-E.03

(11) Make better Photos with Smartphones and DSLR Cameras (Bi-Lingual D&E). Learn how to shoot great pictures with DSLR Cameras and your own smart phone. You can register via #maker-community a few days before the event takes place.

July 15th, 1:30 – 2:30 PM; Maker Universe Media Studio; House K; K-E.03

(12) Editing Portraits with Photoshop (Bi-Lingual D&E). Learn how to create layers and how to use basic tools to edit portraits. You can register via #maker-community a few days before the event takes place.

July 16th, 1:30 – 2:30 PM; Maker Universe Media Studio; House K; K-E.03

(13) Ableton-Technology: Make your own Song (Bi-Lingual D&E). Markus guides you in crafting your own song or music theme using our recording Setup and Ableton. On the first day you will get to know the Ableton interface and create rhythms. The next days, you will create melodies, effects, vocal or field recordings, ending with mixing. You can register via #maker-community a few days before the event takes place.

August 13th – August 15th 1:30 – 4:30 PM; Maker Universe Media Studio; House K; K-E.03

User Research

(14) Conducting User Interviews (Bi-Lingual D&E). User Interviews are a great way to explore user needs at first hand. Our design thinking expert Holger will guide you in preparing and witnessing a real user interview for a real project. After the interview, the group will reflect on what worked well and what didn’t. You can register on #maker-community a few days before the event takes place.

May 28th, 3:15 – 5:15 PM; Maker Universe UX Studio; House K; K-E.02

(15) Making Sense out of User Interviews (English or German; TBD). For this session, we will analyze a few recorded user interviews and extract user needs using frameworks that are industry standards in innovation projects, such as jobs to be done, personas, and 2x2 matrices. You can register on #maker-community a few days before the event takes place.

June 25th, 3:15 – 5:15 PM; Maker Universe UX Studio; House K; K-E.02

MAKER WEEKS Every week is special. Some weeks are more special. (1) Make your own Resin-Print (Bi-Lingual D&E). Resin printing is a high-quality, high-demand version of 3d printing, for everything that requires a high level of detail. Simply drop by during our resin-week to print your own digital models, we take care of the materials. You will be supported by our expert David.

April 9th – 11th between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM; Maker Universe Prototyping Studio; House K; K-E.04

(2) Make your own Shirt (Bi-Lingual D&E). During our vinyl plotting sessions, you can simply drop with your own ideas and learn how to vectorize and design them. Our expert David shows you how to operate our vinyl cutter. No prior experience is needed. All the necessary tools will be provided. Just bring your clothes & ideas.

April 16hth – 18th between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM; Maker Universe Prototyping Studio; House K; K-E.04