Jun 15, 2006
VTI awarded money prizes for the first, second and third positions. Teknologiateollisuus ry rewarded the best cross-disciplinary team effort. The competition offered students an opportunity to get to know Finnish sensor technology, its applications and a potential employer.
"The ideas presented in the competition were innovative and proved that the teams had familiarised themselves very well with VTI's products. The idea demonstrations at the schools have been very impressive every year. Some of the ideas have been successfully realised earlier without the students knowing it, which proves that the competitions can still produce real diamonds. The cooperation between companies and universities, together with first-class basic education, is one of the most important competitive factors for both companies and the whole country," says Hannu Martola, President and CEO, VTI Technologies.
"It has been said on many occasions that innovation is crucial for our future. The technology industries cover as much as over 80 per cent of the research and product development investment of industrial companies and over half of the national R&D investment. This investment in the future needs to be supported by in-depth know-how. International competition has significantly changed the operating practices and skill requirements of companies. Creativity, applying the newest knowledge, as well as active participation in international networks and teams are important at real-life work," comments Juha Ylä-Jääski, Director Innovation Environment, Teknologiateollisuus ry.
The competition, divided into the theory and demonstration series, had 23 new entries. The jury paid particular attention to the theoretical strength and practicality, the commercial feasibility and the novelty value of the entries. The jury was comprised of Vice Principal Kalevi Ekman/Helsinki University of Technology, Director Matti Kleimola/Wärtsilä, Managing Director Hannu Martola/VTI, Managing Director Martti Mäenpää/ Teknologiateollisuus ry, Director Yrjö Neuvo/Nokia and Head of School Heikki Saastamoinen/Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences.
Technology Industries of Finland and its member companies want to encourage technology students to make contacts within the technology industry companies, familiarise themselves with the latest applications and create ideas for solutions that might even combine a variety of expertise areas. The association has for several years arranged the popular Tämä Toimii! (It Works!) technology competition among basic education students. Idea competitions are also an excellent way of enlivening the tuition at universities and polytechnics.
The honorary prize of 1,000 euro by Teknologiateollisuus ry went to Pasi Aro and Viljami Mäki from EVTEK University of Applied Sciences who participated in the demonstration series. The created the idea and made a demonstration of a data glove that can replace a computer mouse for example in multidimensional design and computer games. The public was able to try the data glove at the Idea Competition prize ceremonies on June 15.
Juha Ylä-Jääski, Director, Teknologiateollisuus ry, tel. +358 9 192 3378, mobile +358 40 903 0606.
More information is available also on www.vti.fi.
Promoting and influencing on the development of an innovative and internationally competitive operating environment and ensuring the availability of skilled personnel are the primary objectives. Technology Industries of Finland collaborate with their member companies, educational institutions and other partners to promote the quality and content of the educational system and inspire young people to become technology professionals.
VTI develops and produces silicon-based capacitive sensors using its proprietary 3D-MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical System) technology, that can measure parameters including acceleration, inclination, shock, vibration, angular rate and pressure measurement.
VTI is owned by EQT III private equity fund. VTI's net sales in 2005 totalled EUR 74.7 million and the company had approx. 800 employees. In addition to its head office in Finland, a global partner network, VTI has an international sales and marketing network including offices in Germany, USA, Japan and China. Besides Finland, VTI also has manufacturing operations in Mexico. More information: www.vti.fi.
VTI's annual Idea Competition produced topical innovations with strong theoretical foundation
Teamwork and applying theory into practice
The winners of the Idea Competition, arranged by VTI Technologies Oy together with the Teknologiateollisuus ry (Technology Industries of Finland association), have been chosen. The competitors, students of universities and polytechnics with whom VTI works in partnership, were challenged to apply VTI's accelerometers to new uses and applications.VTI awarded money prizes for the first, second and third positions. Teknologiateollisuus ry rewarded the best cross-disciplinary team effort. The competition offered students an opportunity to get to know Finnish sensor technology, its applications and a potential employer.
"The ideas presented in the competition were innovative and proved that the teams had familiarised themselves very well with VTI's products. The idea demonstrations at the schools have been very impressive every year. Some of the ideas have been successfully realised earlier without the students knowing it, which proves that the competitions can still produce real diamonds. The cooperation between companies and universities, together with first-class basic education, is one of the most important competitive factors for both companies and the whole country," says Hannu Martola, President and CEO, VTI Technologies.
"It has been said on many occasions that innovation is crucial for our future. The technology industries cover as much as over 80 per cent of the research and product development investment of industrial companies and over half of the national R&D investment. This investment in the future needs to be supported by in-depth know-how. International competition has significantly changed the operating practices and skill requirements of companies. Creativity, applying the newest knowledge, as well as active participation in international networks and teams are important at real-life work," comments Juha Ylä-Jääski, Director Innovation Environment, Teknologiateollisuus ry.
The competition, divided into the theory and demonstration series, had 23 new entries. The jury paid particular attention to the theoretical strength and practicality, the commercial feasibility and the novelty value of the entries. The jury was comprised of Vice Principal Kalevi Ekman/Helsinki University of Technology, Director Matti Kleimola/Wärtsilä, Managing Director Hannu Martola/VTI, Managing Director Martti Mäenpää/ Teknologiateollisuus ry, Director Yrjö Neuvo/Nokia and Head of School Heikki Saastamoinen/Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences.
The Idea Competition was arranged for the fourth time
Through the Idea Competition, VTI wants to increase the knowledge of different applications using sensors. The Company-University cooperation is an important channel to get new product and application ideas. This year the competition was arranged in cooperation with EVTEK Polytechnic, the Universities of Technology in Helsinki, Tampere and Lappeenranta, Helsinki Polytechnic, Tampere Polytechnic, as well as Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences and Turku University of Applied Sciences.Technology Industries of Finland and its member companies want to encourage technology students to make contacts within the technology industry companies, familiarise themselves with the latest applications and create ideas for solutions that might even combine a variety of expertise areas. The association has for several years arranged the popular Tämä Toimii! (It Works!) technology competition among basic education students. Idea competitions are also an excellent way of enlivening the tuition at universities and polytechnics.
Winners of Theory series
The first prize in the theory series (1,000 euro) went to the Twist, Turn 'n' Rock special effects device for an electric guitar by Marko Tienhaara, Technical University of Tampere. The second prize (750 euro) was awarded to Kari Salmela, Tampere University of Technology, for the use of an accelerometer as a component in the hydraulic two-wheel drive of a motorcycle. The third prize (500 euro) went to Mikko Kiviahde, EVTEK University of Applied Sciences, for a yo-yo that rates the tricks made with it.Winners of Demonstration series
In the demonstration series, the first prize (1,000 euro) went to Tero Kontkanen and Timo Piiroinen, Tampere University of Technology, for a wireless remote control mouse using accelerometers. Anssi Kämäri, Technical University of Lappeenranta, won the second prize (750 euro) for his work using accelerometers in gym training and physical rehabilitation. The third prize (500 euro) went to Matti Tuunanen, EVTEK University of Applied Sciences, for analysing target shooting performance with gun-mounted accelerometers.The honorary prize of 1,000 euro by Teknologiateollisuus ry went to Pasi Aro and Viljami Mäki from EVTEK University of Applied Sciences who participated in the demonstration series. The created the idea and made a demonstration of a data glove that can replace a computer mouse for example in multidimensional design and computer games. The public was able to try the data glove at the Idea Competition prize ceremonies on June 15.
More information
Tiina Hansson, Vice President, Corporate Communications, VTI Technologies Oy, tel. +358 9 8791 8240, mobile +358 40 827 8844.Juha Ylä-Jääski, Director, Teknologiateollisuus ry, tel. +358 9 192 3378, mobile +358 40 903 0606.
More information is available also on www.vti.fi.
Teknologiateollisuus ry in brief
Technology Industries of Finland strives to ensure that the Finnish technology industries have what it takes to succeed in international competition. The needs of the member companies are the driving force behind the operations. As a representative of Finland's most vital industry, the Technology Industries of Finland constantly seeks new perspectives and makes new, innovative moves towards even greater success.Promoting and influencing on the development of an innovative and internationally competitive operating environment and ensuring the availability of skilled personnel are the primary objectives. Technology Industries of Finland collaborate with their member companies, educational institutions and other partners to promote the quality and content of the educational system and inspire young people to become technology professionals.
VTI in brief
VTI Technologies is a global market leader in low-g acceleration sensors for automotive industry applications and Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM). Application areas for the company's motion and pressure sensors include the automotive industry, sports & wellness, medicine & instruments as well as handheld terminals.VTI develops and produces silicon-based capacitive sensors using its proprietary 3D-MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical System) technology, that can measure parameters including acceleration, inclination, shock, vibration, angular rate and pressure measurement.
VTI is owned by EQT III private equity fund. VTI's net sales in 2005 totalled EUR 74.7 million and the company had approx. 800 employees. In addition to its head office in Finland, a global partner network, VTI has an international sales and marketing network including offices in Germany, USA, Japan and China. Besides Finland, VTI also has manufacturing operations in Mexico. More information: www.vti.fi.