Our global capstone project programmes

We particpate in Stanford ME310 Global Design Innovation and SUGAR Network. Find more on these two capstone project programmes on this page

ME310 Global New Product Design Innovation

ME310 is a course where a global network of designers, engineers and innovators are challenging complex real world problems.

BTH Product Development Research Lab (students on Mechanical Engineering programmes) are partners with Stanford University, Design Division and d.school, in running ME310 Global.

Each academic year about 100 masters-level students participate in ME310 including 8-10 of top global engineering and design universities from around the world, hence the Global.

“I’ve been collaborating with Stanford and the Design Division and d.school for several years going back to 90'ies and since moving to BTH we've been deepening the collaboration between BTH Mechanical Engineering and Stanford Mechanical Engineering to be able to offer continuous project collaboration in global innovation projects together with industry“, says Professor Tobias Larsson of Mechanical Engineering / Product Development Research Lab.

He continues; “We are now continuously scouting for projects with industry connections for upcoming ME310 projects, and also interested students to participate. The projects are tough and demanding, but extremely rewarding.”

If you are interested in joining ME310 as a student, do contact Prof Tobias Larsson (tobias.larsson@bth.se) or Christian Johansson Askling (christian.m.johansson@bth.se).

Previous projects

ME310 2022-2023

Bioinspired design for construction and transportation

The Product Development Research Lab at BTH is starting up a ME310 project for the eleventh year in collaboration with the Design Division at Stanford University. Volvo Trucks, Volvo Construction Equipment, and Volvo Group Connected Solutions Innovation Lab are the Industrial partners. The Challenge: How might we use Biomimicry in order to design solutions and systems that disrupt traditional solutions thinking in the construction and transportation industries? The output: TBA

ME310 2020-2021

Digital Dirt (Volvo Group)

The Product Development Research Lab at BTH are for the ninth year starting up a ME310 project in collaboration with the Design Division at Stanford University. Volvo Group Connected Solutions Innovation Lab is the Industrial partner together with Volvo Construction Equipment. The Challenge: A future where management of construction materials is represented in a digitized form. The output: DNES

ME310 2018-2019

Enhancing partnership between humans and vehicles in the connected society (Volvo Group)

The Product Development Research Lab at BTH are for the seventh year starting up a ME310 project in collaboration with the Design Division at Stanford University. This year, Volvo Group Connected Solutions Innovation Lab is the Industrial partner. The Challenge: Enhancing partnership between humans and vehicles in the connected society

ME310 2016-2017

From Elephants to Ants – from Earth to Mars (Volvo CE)

The Product Development Research Lab at BTH are for the fifth year starting up a ME310 project in collaboration with the Design Division at Stanford University. As with the last three iterations, Volvo Construction Equipment are the industrial partner. The Challenge: From Elephants to Ants – from Earth to Mars

ME310 2014-2015

Urban Mining (Volvo CE)

BTH and Stanford students are during autumn 2014 spring 2015 working together on a project to develop a concept for Urban Mining.

ME310 2012-2013

Idéum - Spaces for innovation (Michano & Volvo CE)

Spaces for innovation is the theme in a global project where Stanford students and BTH PhD candidates are working together.

ME310 2021-2022

Alternative energy infrastructure

The Product Development Research Lab at BTH are for the tenth year starting up a ME310 project in collaboration with the Design Division at Stanford University. Volvo Group Connected Solutions Innovation Lab and Volvo Construction Equipment are the Industrial partners. The Challenge: How do we support EV (electric vehicle) or alternative energy adoption in places with no or broken infrastructure but great need (particularly in remote areas, developing countries, or areas in crisis)? The output: TBA

ME310 2019-2020

Find new ideas and directions that change how waste management operate on an industrial scale (Volvo Group).

The Product Development Research Lab at BTH are for the eight year starting up a ME310 project in collaboration with the Design Division at Stanford University. Volvo Group Connected Solutions Innovation Lab is the Industrial partner together with Mack Trucks, Volvo Construction Equipment and Waste Management. The Challenge: A future where waste management and recycling are safe, optimized and sustainable. The output: ReGlove

ME310 2017-2018

The pains of today and concerns of tomorrow (Volvo CE)

The Product Development Research Lab at BTH are for the sixth year starting up a ME310 project in collaboration with the Design Division at Stanford University. As with the last four iterations, Volvo Construction Equipment are the industrial partner. The Challenge: The pains of today and the concerns of tomorrow

ME310 2015-2016

Human-Autonomous Machine Interaction (Volvo CE)

How can automated machines and humans work efficiently in the same area – at same time building trust between each other – without any risk for the humans and without any unplanned downtime for the machines? That is the challenge for this year’s Volvo CE ME310 project with BTH and Stanford University.

ME310 2013-2014

Urban Mining (Volvo CE)

“Urban Mining” is the focus of a Stanford University, Volvo Construction Equipment and BTH collaboration project during the 2013/2014 academic year.

ME310

All ME310 related

Articles related to ME310 no matter year or subject.

Stemming from ME310 and the design thinking process used there, SUGAR is a global network that brings together students, universities and companies for the future of innovation through a new learning experience. SUGAR network facilitates human-centered design to young minds.

BTH Product Development Research Lab are partners within the SUGAR network since the start 2008.

Leading universities from all over the world are part of the SUGAR Network. They enable students to form inter-cultural, multidisciplinary teams and work together on exciting design challenges provided by corporate partners. Established in 2008, the SUGAR Network is growing and is currently supported by a strong community of 24 universities.

SUGAR's Quest

SUGAR wants to create impact by uniting universities and industries across the world to promote an alternative education, where students have ownership of the projects and are encouraged to be passionate about learning. SUGAR provides a platform to share knowledge and empowers students to solve real-world problems based on human-centered, conscious and responsible design.

What SUGAR is made of…

Real people – We design FOR humans, BY humans. Solutions are generated by student teams that always keep close contact with real users and with the support of teaching teams, coaches and corporate sponsors.
Real companies – How to innovate is one of the main challenges today for companies. Through SUGAR projects, companies propose briefings and gain valuable insights and ideas from fresh minds.
Real projects – Student teams tackle real world problems alongside companies. This provides students with a great learning opportunity and empowers them to innovate with a purpose.
Real coaching – Both students and corporate sponsors are coached and guided throughout the whole project. Companies are often offered workshops to guarantee that they are in the same mindset as the teams and understand the full potential of Design Thinking.

Want to join?

If you are interested in joining SUGAR as a student, participating as a partner, do contact Prof Tobias Larsson (tobias.larsson@bth.se) or Christian Johansson Askling (christian.johansson.askling@bth.se).