A Living Lab is an innovative approach to product development by or with customers. The following features are relevant here:
- Collaborative product and service development: various stakeholders such as older people, the service industry, scientific institutions and public authorities work together to develop new products, services and technologies - from the idea to market maturity (co-creation).
- Real environments and virtual networks: Development takes place in real living environments (e.g. urban, rural regions) and virtual networks.
- Multi-contextual spheres: The different roles and environments of the users are taken into account in the application.
- Regional orientation: Living Labs are regionally oriented and emphasize regional complementarity.
- Involvement of real people: It is about the active involvement of real customers and citizens, taking into account their social and cultural environment.
Dr.-Ing. Jens Schumacher (2008). Living Labs: Characteristics, Potential Examples.
