The digitisation of collections is both a technical challenge and a cultural mission. ELIO develops solutions tailored to the day-to-day needs of museums: modular, efficient, open and compatible with existing systems.
Together with partners from the technology sector, we are working on digital tools that support museums and other cultural institutions in recording, processing and managing their objects.
ELIO is currently working on three new prototypeswhich we are developing in collaboration with specialist technology partners:
a flexible, automated scanning station for fragile objects, a software solution for the automated transcription of collection labels, and a tracking system for dynamic collections.
Our overarching goal
To digitise large volumes of objects more quickly, more gently and in a more user-friendly manner, whilst maintaining consistently high data quality.
The scanning station is designed to be highly automated and standardised. The aim is to create a system that can be integrated into the day-to-day operations of museums, libraries and archives with minimal training, even when dealing with large numbers of objects and fragile collections.
The focus is on: gentle handling of objects, reproducible, precise images, and stable, scalable workflows.
In parallel, a modular software pipeline is being developed that automatically transcribes photographed collection labels and makes the resulting text data ready for further processing.
The pipeline is designed to capture handwritten and printed labels automatically, output transcriptions in a structured format, and integrate flexibly into existing digitisation and collection systems.
The software is intended as a supporting background service that reduces manual work steps and accelerates the cataloguing of large numbers of objects.
Collections are not static entities. Objects are moved, rearranged or loaned out – often without these processes being consistently documented.
Our third prototype creates a system that automatically records changes in collections and documents them in a traceable manner. Movements of individual specimens are made visible and transferred into a structured data history.
The focus is on: automated recording of changes, clear allocation and historisation of objects, integration into existing systems.
The prototypes are developed in close collaboration with technology partners,
who contribute their specific expertise to the development processes.
Gestalt Automation develops AI-powered automation solutions for industrial applications, with a strong focus on precision, robustness and practicality.
At ELIO, this expertise is particularly evident in the development of the automated scanning station: from system architecture and motion and control concepts right through to the standardisation of capture processes.
→ Contribution to the project: automation, industrial image processing, reliable hardware workflows
Birds on Mars has been working for many years on applied artificial intelligence and responsible, user-centred AI systems. The focus is on software that reliably automates complex processes and enables them to be integrated into existing structures.
In the ELIO project, Birds on Mars is contributing this expertise to the development of the transcription pipeline for collection labels, from OCR and text recognition to the structured further processing of the transcribed content.
→ Contribution to the project: AI-supported transcription, text analysis, modular data pipelines & interfaces
INNOQ develops bespoke software solutions with a focus on scalable architectures and sustainable digital systems.
As part of the ELIO project, INNOQ is contributing this expertise to the development of the tracking prototype. The aim is to create a system that automatically records and documents changes to collections and integrates them into existing data structures.
→ Contribution to the project: software architecture, tracking systems, data integration and API design
Museum objects are diverse, fragile and often unique. Digital systems must be able to adapt to different forms, materials and contexts.
ELIO develops solutions that respond precisely to this reality. We take a forward-looking approach to technical interfaces, automation and long-term data quality.
Our vision is a new generation of digital infrastructures for museums, archives and collections. Artificial intelligence, automated processes and modular systems play a central role in this. Equally important are sustainability, interoperability and openness to future developments.
Technological innovation only has a long-term impact if it remains usable. That is why ELIO also develops models for how new systems can be operated and financed in the day-to-day running of cultural institutions. They should be simple, sustainable and adaptable.
We think about it from the very beginning:
The development of business models is part of our innovation process. We work openly, realistically and in line with the sector’s actual capabilities.
Are you working on technologies that align with our goals? Do you develop solutions in the fields of scanning technology, data processing or artificial intelligence for the cultural sector?
If so, we’d love to hear from you. We don’t currently have any open calls for proposals, but we’re open to new ideas and partnerships.