An exhilarating display of engineering, creativity and collaboration, the fourth EuroTeQaThon event concluded today. After months of preparation and hard work, the qualifying teams pitched their ideas to an esteemed panel of jury members in an attempt to take one of the awards back to their home universities.
Held June 8 to 10, 2024 on the sprawling campus of the Ecole Polytechnique nearby Paris, the international gathering brought together over 100 brilliant minds from the nine partner institutions of the EuroTeQ Engineering University, who presented 21 groundbreaking solutions to challenges posed by industry leaders, under the Theme: “Enhance Connections for sustainable futures” in three categories: People, Nature and Technology.
Over several months of intense collaboration and preparation, the 21 teams of students worked on their projects, honed their ideas, and prepared to showcase their final projects. But as importantly, the event was not just about competition; it was a holistic experience, enriched with workshops and peer feedback sessions. The participants also got various opportunities to interact and forge social connections with peers and mentors from other universities. The scenic boat ride along the river Seine and the magnificent views of Paris in June are sure to remain as fond memories for the participants in the years to come.
An international jury had the challenging task of selecting winners in three categories based on impact, innovation, and launch readiness.
In the category “People”, the project “Ahead of New” pitched by students from DTU emerged as the winner. Their solution focuses on driving a culture change from replacement to repair. Leveraging AI technology, their platform accurately diagnoses issues and directs users to cost-effective repair options.
In the category “Nature”, the team FarmElf from TUM were the winners. Their pioneering FarmElf model utilizes field-generated data to predict feed properties and their impact on cattle growth and health.
In the category “Technology”, the team Revolty from HEC Paris clinched the award. Their innovative solution repurposes second-hand electric vehicle batteries for solar energy storage, to avoid losing solar energy produced at domestic installation and hence further increase the use of this sustainable energy source.
The public vote was bagged by team UTER from TalTech for their solution to address Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), which is the most common source of maternal mortality. The belt they propose is an easy-to-use and is surrounded with sensors that will alert the nurses and doctors to take timely action.
During the ceremony, student teams selected for the Ignite Bootcamp were unveiled. These students will engage in a 4.5-day intensive bootcamp, where they’ll receive valuable resources to validate and propel their groundbreaking ideas presented at their local EuroTeQ Collider and the joint EuroTeQaThon.
This event was more than a competition; it was a testament to EuroTeQ ‘s commitment to fostering a culture of sustainability and innovation. The EuroTeQaThon is a cornerstone of EuroTeQ Engineering University, part of the European Universities Initiative, a prestigious funding scheme by the European Commission. It shows the positive ways European students and university staffcan work together to innovate and create connections.
Congratulations to all the winners and participants who made the EuroTeQaThon 2024 a resounding success. Your contributions have not only showcased exceptional talent but have also propelled us towards a more sustainable future.