Smart fabrics to Brussels
10.11.2014
Smart fabrics such as wearable electronics and e-textiles will be showcased at European Parliament in Brussels 17 -21 November.
The works, that are of Finnish Aalto University’s student projects are to be displayed at the Wearable Technology Design exhibition. They represent Aalto University's multidisciplinary approach in which technology, design and art are combined into new types of design concepts and prototypes. Included are, among other things, a shoe that monitors orthopaedic weight, a diving suit that can be heated under water, textile-based user interfaces for listening to music, and outfits that interact with the body and physiology of the wearer.
- Persevering development work in research and teaching has made it possible for Aalto University to operate in the forefront of innovative textiles, says Professor Teemu Leinonen, Vice Dean of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture at Aalto University.
At best, new businesses will emerge from the synthesis of design and technology.
One example of this in the exhibition is LeeLuu Nightlights, a startup company utilising innovative textiles. The idea of a children's night light that reacts to touch emerged from a course on interactive prototyping at the Aalto University Department of Design. The founders of LeeLuu, Emmi Pouta, Hanna Markgren, Lisa Gerkens and Sagnhyun Ryu developed their business idea at the Aalto Summer of Startups programme for growth companies, winning admission to the TechCrunch Disrupt event in London. The designers are now putting the finishing touches on the production prototype of the toy-like night light.
- The exhibition gives concrete meaning to Aalto University's mission to bring together experts in different fields and to create new skill-based expertise for businesses and growth. Entrepreneurship and networking are increasingly important competitive advantages in international arenas – they support national competitiveness and make ground-breaking research possible.
The exhibition has been curated by laboratory engineer Jussi Mikkonen and researcher Salu Ylirisku from Aalto University’s Department of Design.
The Wearable Technology Design exhibition will take place in connection with the 6th European Innovation Summit at the Altiero Spinelli Building on 17–21 November. The invitation to the exhibition was extended and supported by MEP Henna Virkkunen. The exhibition is open to people working at the European Parliament and to visitors.
Further information:
Professor Teemu Leinonen, tel. +358 50 351 6796, teemu.leinonen [at] aalto [dot] fi
Professor Pirjo Hirvonen, Department of Design, tel. +358 50 363 6011, pirjo.hirvonen [at] aalto [dot] fi is present at the opening event in Brussels.
Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture
Photos: http://materialbank.aalto.fi/Default.aspx
(Picture captions open by clicking the right-hand corner)
Photos: (up) George Atanassov, Kerttu Malinen