Geert

Hello, I’m Geert, an Industrial Design Engineer.

From a young age, I’ve been fascinated by inventing and building things, which led me to pursue a bachelor’s in Creative Technology and later a master’s in Industrial Design Engineering at the University of Twente.

Prototyping / Web development / Electronics / Python / 3D modeling / 3D printing

Geert

Electric Longboard

Building an electric longboard from scratch.

Challenge

In high school, I built an electric longboard as my final project. I crafted the deck from Baltic birch plywood using a custom press and housed the electronics in a lunchbox under the deck. Later, when I learned about 3D printers, I created a custom enclosure for the electronics using TPU.

Date

October 2018

Longboard Press
Longboard Sanding
Longboard Solidworks
Longboard Electronics
Longboard Top
Longboard Full

KUKA iDo

Developing a research platform for the KUKA iDo social robot.

Challenge

For my bachelor thesis I worked on a social robot supplied by the robotics company KUKA. The goal was to build a new hardware layer to allow integration with ROS and Arduino.

Date

June 2023

KUKA iDo Hardware

Result

A low level system made with an Arduino controlled the sensors and motors using PID control, while a central computer running ROS2 talked to the Arduino and higher level sensors like an Xbox Kinect.

Result

To test the new hardware the iDo was used to supply drinks to people at the opening of the new Robotics Centre at the University of Twente.

The robot was puppeteered using a Wii remote and people were amazed at how this 'autonomous' robot was so smart 😉.

KUKA iDo Carrying Drinks

Topology Optimization for Aerospace

Redesigning an aircraft component for weight savings, manufacturability, and performance using topology optimization and additive manufacturing.

Challenge

In this project, I teamed up with Dick Dekker to optimize a driver system used in aircraft. The task was to use topology optimization to merge multiple components into one lightweight, high-performance part manufacturable via Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF).

Original part
Topology FEM
Topology mesh

Result

We also experimented with some generative design options, which resulted in a part that was even lighter than the one designed using topology optimization.

Topology printed

NVNG - media

I co-founded a digital media company which supplies custom branding, apps, and websites.

Challenge

Together with Falk Beuzenberg, I set out to gain hands-on experience in managing projects, working with clients, and learning the ins and outs of running a business.

Date

July 2023 - Today

Luchtbrug App Mockup

Result

We crafted brand strategies, designed web and mobile apps, and built products using Angular, WordPress, and .NET MAUI.

Result

One of our most impactful projects was for Luchtbrug, a non-profit helping children with lung conditions. We redesigned their branding and app, making it more engaging and user-friendly. After the redesign, we helped develop key parts of the new app. Now, whenever they have a new project, we’re the first they call.

Luchtbrug Sign Mockup

Accessum

I co-founded a startup to develop a software platform that automates the administration of digital accessibility regulations.

Date

March 2024 - December 2024

Challenge

Together with Falk Beuzenberg, I discovered that municipalities and government agencies spend a significant amount of time on digital accessibility paperwork. We set out to improve their workflow by providing better oversight and automating parts of the administration, allowing them to focus on actually improving the accessibility of their apps and websites.

Accessum Dashboard

Result

Over a few months, we interviewed 43 municipalities to deeply understand their challenges and tailor our platform to their needs. 27 of them were highly enthusiastic and eager to test the platform once it was ready.

Result

To make sure we were on the right track, we set up a pilot program before fully committing to development. Unfortunately, it became clear that due to budget constraints from the upcoming 2026 ‘ravine year’ and the perceived investment risk, most municipalities weren’t ready to move forward.

Result

Even though I completed a large part of the platform without actual users, the experience was invaluable. The journey had its ups and downs, moments of doubt, and countless learning opportunities. Looking back, I’d encourage anyone to try building their own product.

Accessum Welcome
Accessum Backup Codes
Accessum Users
Accessum Sidebar

Data Physicalisation

Building a large moving artwork showing the decay of trees over time.

Challenge

With a group of 14 students, the goal was to build a physical sculpture which could visualise a chosen dataset in an interactive manner. We decided to show the decrease of tree population over time by moving small trees up and down based on the year selected by the user using a slider.

Date

July 2021

Tree Platforms

Result

As head of the building team it was my task to build the table and the moving platforms within two weeks.

Electric Vehicle System Design Tool

Building a digital tool to design and optimize zero-emission city logistics vehicles.

Challenge

For my Electric Vehicle System Design project, I teamed up with three other engineers to create a software tool that supports the development of efficient, zero-emission logistics vehicles for urban deliveries.

Vehicle design scenarios

Result

The tool enables designers and logistics planners to simulate various delivery scenarios, considering parameters like drive cycles, vehicle load, battery capacity, and route conditions. It then provides detailed insights into the vehicle's energy profile, powertrain requirements, and optimal system architecture.

Result

We designed a fully electric vehicle optimized for city logistics, focusing on maximizing cargo volume (2600L) and payload efficiency (80 packages, 60 crates). The vehicle features smart navigation integration, crate selection assistance, and an intuitive sliding system, significantly enhancing delivery efficiency.

Result

Powered by a 50kW Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor and a robust 36.16kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate battery, the system supports full-day operations with a range of approximately 300 km per charge. The project's highlight was translating complex system interactions into an intuitive interactive simulation tool built with Streamlit, enabling rapid prototyping and decision-making.

Vehicle energy profile

Mobile Kiosk Design for Healthy Living

Designing and prototyping an innovative mobile kiosk focused on healthy and fresh products.

Challenge

Our group designed a portable kiosk tailored for urban locations like gyms, parks, and public spaces, aimed at promoting healthier food choices. Our design integrated user research, functional requirements, and a visually appealing aesthetic aligned with natural and health-inspired themes.

Food truck with LED sign

Result

Through on-site interviews and user-centered design sessions, we discovered a strong interest in conveniently accessible, fresh, and healthy food options. Our solution: a compact kiosk featuring a folding design that could expand into a fully functional kitchen with cooling elements, smoothie stations, and an efficient ordering system.

Overview of food truck

Want to work together?

Feel free to reach out for a chat or a project.