Studio-021
Product design and engineering

Mobile World Congress 2024

A mechatronic train simulation that connects to Telefonica Cloud and responds to real-time events including emergencies, halts, and system alerts. Visited by H.H. The King of Spain

Type Project
Client Telefonica

Overview

For Mobile World Congress 2024, Telefonica needed a show-stopping demonstration of their cloud infrastructure and IoT capabilities. The brief: create a physical installation that visualizes real-time cloud events through mechatronic interaction—all within the high-stakes environment of a major international tech event attended by global leaders, including H.H. The King of Spain.

Challenge

The project demanded:

  • A mechatronic system reliable enough for VIP demonstrations
  • Real-time synchronization between cloud events and physical movement
  • Fail-safe operation in a high-traffic exhibition environment
  • Compelling visual storytelling of abstract cloud concepts
  • Deployment and calibration in under 48 hours on-site

Traditional exhibition installations use pre-programmed sequences. This needed to be genuinely reactive, responding to actual cloud infrastructure events in real-time.

Solution

We designed and built a precision train simulation system featuring:

  • Custom-fabricated mechatronic train assembly with stepper motor control
  • Direct websocket integration to Telefonica’s cloud event stream
  • Real-time event interpretation and physical response choreography
  • Multi-layer safety systems ensuring graceful degradation
  • Modular design enabling rapid assembly and calibration on-site

The train responds to different cloud events with specific behaviors:

  • Normal operations: Smooth, consistent movement representing stable cloud performance
  • Emergency alerts: Immediate halt with visual indicators
  • System warnings: Reduced speed and cautionary movements
  • Load balancing events: Speed variations reflecting resource distribution

Technical Implementation

  • Motion Control: Closed-loop stepper control with encoder feedback for position accuracy
  • Cloud Integration: Websocket client maintaining persistent connection to Telefonica’s event broker
  • Event Processing: Real-time interpretation layer mapping cloud events to motion sequences
  • Safety Systems: Multiple redundant stop mechanisms, position limiting, overcurrent protection
  • Control Interface: Technician dashboard for calibration and manual override

Exhibition Performance

Over four days at MWC:

  • Zero unplanned downtime across 40+ hours of operation
  • Demonstrated to over 10,000 visitors including international delegations
  • Successfully performed for H.H. The King of Spain’s official tour
  • Handled peak event traffic of 500+ visitors per hour
  • Responded to 2,800+ real cloud events with precise physical choreography

Key Innovation

The installation transformed abstract cloud computing concepts into tangible, observable phenomena. When Telefonica’s infrastructure balanced loads across data centers, visitors saw it happen physically. This literal translation of digital events into mechanical movement made cloud infrastructure comprehensible in a way that screens and dashboards cannot achieve.

Recognition

Featured prominently in Telefonica’s MWC presentations, the installation became a focal point for discussions about IoT, edge computing, and physical-digital integration. It demonstrated that mechatronics isn’t just automation—it’s a medium for making digital systems legible through physical expression.