The second edition of Scintille 2015 of the National Engineers Council, which rewards innovative ideas in Italian engineering and beyond, ended in Venice. A national competition that gives space to the main vocation of the engineer, theinventiveness, both in terms of the design of new systems and structures, and the creation of new technologies, products and methodologies, but also the ability to propose and grow startup ideas with a strong innovative content.
The project won DART (Design for Augmented Reality Technology and Engineering), an idea that can help relaunch the Italian tourism sector with augmented reality applications/services in the museum sector. A spark based on wearable technologies, on the recognition of natural language, gamification and Italian design that intends to extend the experiences possible during a visit to a site of archaeological, landscape, museum or monumental interest. The project ranked second ZAHO (A reusable formwork for double curvature concrete shell) which, using techniques borrowed from digital fabrication, allows the creation of bold and complex structural shapes. Third prize ad ARIANNA (Assisted navigation system for the blind), an integrated system to improve the quality of life of visually impaired and blind people, through the use of smartphones and minimally invasive devices to be integrated into indoor and outdoor spaces.
Three projects with motivated and competent teams that will seek seed and venture capital in the coming months. And Scintille will give them a hand, because from this year Scintille is also a blog on innovation, to amplify the visibility of ideas, and one network of contacts And of institutions (CNI, CERN, CIRA, RPT, ISNAFF, CNPI, Associazione IP, Sardegna2050, Digital Champions and many others who are joining) to encourage the development of projects and meetings with investors.
As effectively summarized by Giovanni Caturano of Spinvector, guest of Scintille 2015, “the fuel is passion, the engine is the business, but it is the sparks that make innovation go”.
Soon on our website we will open the section dedicated to the ideas and teams that animated Scintille 2015. From today we start again with new challenges. We look forward to seeing you next year in Palermo for Scintille 2016!
(from the blog "Scintille" of the National Council of the Order of Engineers, http://www.cniscintille.it/scintille-venezia2015-punto-e-si-continua/)
armando di nardo (@dnaleph)