Innovation unleashed: students develop solutions for Austrian industry in 24 hours
The TU Austria Innovation Marathon at the European Forum Alpbach traditionally focuses on the development of new products and processes at the interface between business, science and the creative power of international young talent. The ninth edition of this successful format ended today.
28 students from 13 countries met again this year at the invitation of the three TU Austria universities during the Europe in the World Days of the European Forum Alpbach to develop solutions to complex business problems in just 24 hours. The TU Austria universities – TU Wien, TU Graz and Montanuniversität Leoben – use this annual event to demonstrate what students are capable of in terms of creativity, expertise and innovative strength. And with this format, they show the potential for the location of close cooperation between universities and their students with domestic industry.
Martin Polaschek, Federal Minister of Education, Science and Research, attended the event and is extremely satisfied with the outcome: ‘The participants in the TU Austria Innovation Marathon inspired me with their entrepreneurial spirit and passion for technological progress. In order to continue to succeed in the international innovation competition in the future, it is essential to promote young and motivated minds and to support them in the implementation of innovative projects in the best possible way.’
Harald Kainz, rector of Graz University of Technology and acting president of TU Austria, is also pleased with the successful event: ‘Innovation and progress always arise where creative and well-educated minds work together with forward-thinking companies to courageously seek new solutions to social challenges. As here at the TU Austria Innovation Marathon. The triumvirate of business, science and bright minds, to whom we as TU Austria offer a stage not only here in Alpbach every year, is a central engine for the success of Austria as a business location.’
Innovations in the name of mobility
The tasks set for the participating companies were once again as diverse as the four international and interdisciplinary student teams. Among other things, the teams were challenged to rethink mobility, to combine e-mobility and energy solutions in a profitable way, or to develop business solutions for existing mobility concepts in a global context. The companies' problems were as follows:
AVL List and Austrian Power Grid: How could e-mobility support the future energy system and balance intermittent generation?
Consortium CARpenTIER represented by Holzcluster Steiermark GmbH, Weitzer Woodsolutions, Innovationszentrum W.E.I.Z. and Virtual Vehicle Research GmbH: In which products can WOOD replace the existing material (especially aluminium/plastic)?
Easelink: How do we manage to become a Global Platform Company and the international standard for automated charging?
Magna: Create your vehicle of choice towards mobility of the future.
Once again this year, many solutions, ideas and promising interim results have been developed that provide companies with impetus for innovative applications and further development. Mario Fallast, project manager of the TU Austria Innovation Marathon, is very satisfied with the results of the last 24 hours: ‘The intensive work on the tasks, the in-depth knowledge in different subject areas and the diverse life worlds of the scholarship holders led to impressive results again this year. The atmosphere that develops in the room during the 24 hours is very special and makes this event format so appealing.’
Successful partner network
The success of Austria as a business and innovation location requires cooperation and the bundling of all available resources. The TU Austria Innovation Marathon is also supported by a strong partner network, including the Federation of Austrian Industries and the Austrian Patent Office.
Georg Knill, President of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV), sums up the importance of young people's innovative power for Austria as a business location: ‘Technology does not fall from the sky, it is made by people. People like the participants in the innovation marathon, who are passionate about science and technology or want to combine their skills from other fields with STEM in an interdisciplinary way. Particularly in times of a shortage of skilled workers, we need more of these future talents, especially in the field of innovation, which is why inspiring and motivating events such as the TU Austria Innovation Marathon are so important’.
Every year, the student teams at the TU Austria Innovation Marathon are supported by the team from the Austrian Patent Office and informed about everything from research options to the patent registration process. Stefan Harasek, interim president of the Austrian Patent Office, is enthusiastic: ‘We are impressed by the great ideas that have been developed in such a short time in the teams. My colleagues and I would be delighted to hear from the students in the future and to continue to accompany, advise and support them in their innovative work. After all, today's students are tomorrow's drivers of research and development.’
The TU Austria Innovation Marathon took place as part of the Europe In The World Days of the European Forum Alpbach.
https://www.facebook.com/tu.austria
https://www.tuaustria.ac.at/veranstaltungen/innovations-marathon
Contact for enquiries:
DI Mario FALLAST
Project Manager TU Austria Innovation Marathon
TU Graz | Research & Technology House
Graz University of Technology
M +43 664 3332355
mario.fallast(at)tugraz.at