TU Austria Innovation Marathon at the European Forum Alpbach 2022

Students from all over the world developed solutions to complex problems for companies in just one day.

48 students from 24 countries demonstrated their innovative strength during the TU Austria Innovation Marathon. Since 2015, the three Austrian technical universities TU Wien, TU Graz, and Montanuniversität Leoben have been organizing the Innovation Marathon as part of the TU Austria network: a 24-hour event in which teams of students work on tasks set by companies.
In 2022, the Innovation Marathon was held again as part of the European Forum Alpbach (TEC Days, August 25-27), with six of the eight teams participating live on site. Two of the teams participated virtually and were integrated into the on-site activities via Zoom.
 

“The Innovation Marathon is a preview of future collaborations in which international teams work together, exchange ideas, and implement projects. The current crises show that society needs research and education to find solutions to these and future challenges,” said Science Minister Martin Polaschek in his opening remarks.

Competence + creativity = innovation
 

Forty-eight students were selected from over 130 applicants. The eight teams took on the challenge of developing solutions to the challenges in just 24 hours. In addition to technical expertise and creativity, the appropriate stamina was required.

The problems posed by the companies were:

• AT&S, “In an increasingly complex world, how can you explain difficult technical or scientific content to different target audiences?”
• AVL List GmbH, “What does a test environment for automated passenger drones look like?”
• Energie Steiermark, “Point out how municipalities benefit from real-time electricity data.”
• Fronius International GmbH, “Sustainability in joining technology // How can a CRADLE to CRADLE approach be implemented for a sustainable welded joint? // Creation – Operation – Recycling”
• MAGNA, “Autonomous driven Shuttle – What are expectations to make such a vehicle attractive to be used in future? Target group = you as students.”
• Österreich Werbung “Food loss and waste - Food waste has a huge environmental & economical impact and is one of the bigger unspoken issues in the hotel and tourism industry.”
• Philips Domestic Appliances Austria GmbH, “Create innovative solutions of versatile cooking appliances that combine functionalities in a meaningful way for the consumer.”
• SIEMENS Austria, “Develop scenarios of how a consequent labelling obligation of products with the real (measured) Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) will change the business, and derive new business ideas.”

The result was a wealth of solutions, ideas and promising interim results that will provide companies with impetus for innovative applications and further development.
 

Harald Kainz, Rector of Graz University of Technology and Vice President of TU Austria, commented on the results: “I am particularly pleased that we were able to welcome participants from 24 countries, who made the Innovation Marathon 2022 a truly international event. 24 intensive hours challenged everyone involved, but also delivered remarkable results.I congratulate all the innovators and am sure that this experience will remain in everyone's memory."

The Austrian Patent Office is a long-standing partner of the Innovation Marathon. The students were once again actively supported by the Patent Office team and provided with information ranging from research opportunities to the application process. Stefan Harasek, Vice President of the Austrian Patent Office, is enthusiastic: “It's wonderful to see the enthusiasm with which the students tackle the tasks. I am delighted that we were able to provide additional input and give young scientists a quick guide to patents. I am looking forward to seeing how the participants develop and hope to welcome them back soon as innovation champions.”
 

Christoph Neumayer, President of the Austrian Federation of Industry, emphasized once again in a video message the importance of research and innovation, especially in challenging times marked by war, energy, and climate crises. “Research, technology, and innovation form the basis for our prosperity today, the quality of life tomorrow, and solutions for future challenges,” said Neumayer.
 

Mario Fallast, project manager of the TU Austria Innovation Marathon, is delighted with the success of the Innovation Marathon: “Although the last two years have shown that the Innovation Marathon also works online, the live event offers a unique atmosphere.The interaction, coaching, and exchange between all participants are much more immediate, and the networking aspect comes across more strongly. We were able to put the experience we gained to good use in integrating the online teams into the on-site events, thus enabling students who would not otherwise be able to come to Alpbach to participate.”
 

The TEC Days are organized by the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology and ORF Radio Österreich 1 in cooperation with the European Forum Alpbach. Further information on the TU Austria Innovation Marathon can be found online at https://www.facebook.com/tu.austria or https://www.tuaustria.ac.at/veranstaltungen/innovations-marathon.

Further information

DI Mario Fallast
Project Manager TU Austria Innovation Marathon
TU Graz | Research & Technology House
M +43-664-3332355
mario.fallast(at)tugraz.at