Today, we’ll introduce you to a unique place where you can access the tools and support to bring your vision to life. Welcome to MotionLab.Berlin — an innovation hub full of tools, creative minds, and the world’s first maker space to house its very own Prusa Hub, a dedicated space equipped with all of the Original Prusa 3D printers!
The concept is very similar to the origins of PrusaLab: a hi-tech maker space open to anyone with an idea – for business or just for the pure pleasure of making. Although COVID-19 shifted PrusaLab’s initial mission, we discovered new directions for it, such as artist support (highlighted by the success of Fluidum at EXPO 2020 in Dubai) and our Hardware Accelerator, which launched ambitious projects, for example, Joyseat, FlockLock or Vanilla Robotics.
But back to Berlin, where within the expansive grounds of MotionLab.Berlin, you’ll find everything a maker or inventor could need: laser cutting tools, an electronics lab, a wood, a metal, a textile and CNC lab, and a 3D printing hub.
A Hardtech Innovation Hub
“We are a hardtech innovation hub and maker space. Our mission is to support start-ups on their journey from an idea to serial production,” says Fridtjof Gustavs, co-founder and managing director of MotionLab.Berlin.
As he gives us the tour, he elaborates on their mission: “We truly believe innovative technology is essential to achieving climate neutrality by 2050. To this end, we aim to empower early-stage founders,” Fridtjof explains, standing on a balcony overlooking a transformed industrial hall. This unique infrastructure features high-tech workshops adjacent to co-working spaces, private MakerGarages, and offices for start-ups supported by MotionLab.Berlin. The walls are made out of chipboard which gives it a real workshop vibe.
MotionLab.Berlin’s Hardtech Innovation Accelerator Program offers start-ups seven months of support, resources, tools, and mentorship dedicated to advancing sustainable initiatives. And afterward? Full-scale production for the most promising projects. Start-ups here are developing solutions in fields like bicycles, exoskeletons, kitchen blenders, e-scooters, and sports devices. Success stories like Red Arrow Tech, NeoCarbon, MAD, and Hoop Solar are already emerging, with many more to come.
To aid these innovations, MotionLab.Berlin is equipped with Original Prusa 3D printers, accessible to everyone.
Welcome to Prusa Hub
Right at MotionLab.Berlin’s entrance, there’s a corner dedicated to 3D printing called Prusa Hub. It’s the first of its kind, offering a variety of printers to suit any project: a five-tool head Original Prusa XL, the MK4 placed in an enclosure for advanced material printing, and an SL1S for SLA printing.
Paul Jakob Marx, who also teaches 3D printing basics, oversees the hub.
“We offer tailor-made workshops for those new to 3D printing, covering topics like material selection and the PrusaSlicer software,” Paul explains. With these fundamentals, participants explore the limits of 3D printing.
Most workshop participants are already members at Motionlab.Berlin, or sign up shortly afterward. The membership comes with access to the reservation system. Through that, they can reserve time in a lab or on a 3D printer. With all the 3D printers connected via Prusa Connect, the system also offers a better overview of the machines in Prusa Hub.
“Most people start with PLA for first-level prototypes because it’s easy to use,” Paul notes. “But for functional parts, they move to materials like ASA, PVB, or PC Blend.”
Each printing material has its specific use. “Engineers create prototypes and parts, while artists produce incredible creations, such as kinetic sculptures,” Paul says, pointing to several impressive projects scattered around the lab.
“We’re equipped to handle any request,” Paul declares proudly, highlighting the Original Prusa SL1S and CW1S. These printers are highly demanded by makers who small-sized and detailed prints.
Paul himself is a passionate advocate of 3D printing. “What I love most is transforming an idea into a physical model within hours. Holding your creation is immensely satisfying — I love it!”
Open Funk: A 3D-Printed Success Story
We visited one of the MakerGarages to hear from Open Funk and its co-founder, Ken Rostand. Ken and his team create unique food blenders with 3D-printed parts.
“Re:Mix blenders are locally manufactured,” Ken says, introducing his brand. “We designed them to be easily produced anywhere in the world using local parts, which led us to 3D printing.”
Using 20 Original Prusa MK4 3D printers, they produce 12 functional parts for their Open Funk blender. Combined with a body made of recycled plastic, each blender is unique, stylish, and easily repairable.
One of the standout features is that Re:Mix doesn’t have its own mixing jar; instead, it fits standard jars found in most kitchens. Simply remove the lid, attach the blades, and start blending.
Thanks to the 3D printers, a small team can efficiently produce these blenders. Open Funk aims to revolutionize consumer electronics by reducing electronic and plastic waste. Re:Mix blenders are easily repairable and as powerful as any in their class.
This bold vision was realized largely due to MotionLab.Berlin’s acceleration program and the community’s support: the space just buzzes with activity, with people sharing ideas and working together.
“MotionLab.Berlin is the perfect place to bring such projects to life,” says Ken.
A Community Hub
One of the first things you’ll notice when you enter MotionLab.Berlin is a doubledecker bus, a symbol of the space’s dynamic community atmosphere.
“We host conferences, hackathons, workshops, and more. Our hub features various spaces suited to different event sizes,” says Bekah Smith, Content and Marketing Manager at MotionLab.Berlin.
“The reason people love hosting events here is MotionLab.Berlin’s vibrant and creative environment,” Bekah adds, showing us spaces from the main hall to the bus transformed into stylish meeting rooms.
MotionLab.Berlin’s activities are well-documented on social media, showcasing success stories. “We are very active on social media and love sharing stories from within the MotionLab.Berlin community! We aim not only to celebrate our members but to inspire others to realize their ideas,” Bekah explains.
Everyone agrees that the community is the driving force behind MotionLab.Berlin’s success.
“Being surrounded by such creative people elevates your projects to the next level,” says Ken.
“The work here is never finished; it’s always in motion. And we love that,” concludes Paul.
Štěpán Feik, Jakub Kmošek and Tanya Nedeva
World's "first of it's kind" Prusa Hub? Here at our Makerspace, we feature 18 Prusa's and a 5T Prusa XL for students and staff managed by Prusa Connect, where we also have our own workshops on the PrusaSlicer software and material choices.
We'd love to show our support for Prusa even more by getting our own fancy Prusa Hub sign and wall of filaments, surely we can get in contact about this, no?
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