This year's TECHFEST concluded with the final TECHSLAM last night. 330 hackers, tech enthusiasts, designers, and artists from all over the world developed over 60 ideas for new products and services within 72 hours. Using the latest technologies and machines from the high-tech workshop MakerSpace, they created not just code, but tangible products.
Augmented reality welding goggles, a digital milk maid that indicates when milk is spoiled, a smart cooler for a seamless cold chain during food transport, and an AR application that teaches students the basics of electronics – a total of 69 ideas and projects were created at the TECHFEST.
From urine values and a removable orientation sensor
The jury selected three winning teams from all submitted projects:
The 1st prize went to Winnie Loo: The team has developed a sensor for toilets that automatically analyzes urine values and provides appropriate nutrition and health advice.
The 2nd prize was won by SPANISH (Spacial Navigation for Everyone): A headband with an integrated 3D camera and haptic sensors that enables blind people to orient themselves spatially.
The 3rd prize went to the team from Freddie 'n' Friends: The removable orientation sensor they developed turns everyday objects into game controllers.
Latest technologies, interdisciplinary teams and lots of creativity
In the high-tech MakerSpace workshop, participants were able to build their first prototypes. In the Hardware Library, they were given access to the latest tech gadgets such as drones, Arduinos, and HoloSenses. In addition to the MakerSpace and the Hardware Library, participants were particularly impressed by the collaboration in interdisciplinary teams:
Yunyun Sun, founder from London, is delighted to be participating in this year's TECHFEST:
"I'm incredibly happy to be here. I'm working in a team with experts from a wide range of fields. From biologists and hackers to database engineers and chemists. We're developing things here that would probably never be possible without all these people."
Also André, Full Stack Developer from Munich, is enthusiastic:
"I think the MakerSpace is great because it gives people who otherwise wouldn't have the chance to use such tools the opportunity to let off steam, experiment, and even make mistakes."
And Dr. Helmut Schönenberger, Managing Director of UnternehmerTUM, concludes with a positive review of the past 72 hours:
"I'm absolutely thrilled by the energetic atmosphere at TECHFEST and the promising ideas that have emerged over the past three days. We look forward to continuing to support the teams."
Image rights: UnternehmerTUM
