Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Video | Agriculture | Confidence | Economy | Energy | Employment | Finance | Media | Property | RBNZ | Science | SOEs | Tax | Technology | Telecoms | Tourism | Transport | Search

 

Tech experts in NZ for premier innovation challenge

8 June 2017

World-leading tech experts in NZ for premier innovation challenge

Three international experts are travelling to New Zealand next week to share their expertise in wearable technology with entrants in NZ’s premier innovation challenge.

Kiwi innovators and entrepreneurs are being are invited to create the next generation of wearable technology as part of business innovation agency Callaghan Innovation’s C-Prize Challenge. The biennial event is designed to push the boundaries of what’s possible through technology and offers a NZ$100,000 grand prize package.

Mikko Malmivaara is based in the US and has been in the business of wearable technology for almost 20 years. Professor Robert Reiner is based in Switzerland and his development of the ARMin arm therapy robot has won several prizes. Professor Paul Lukowicz is based in Germany and heads the Embedded Intelligence group at DFKI and Kaiserslautern University.

Free seminars are being held in Christchurch (June 12), Wellington (June 13) and Auckland (June 14) where students, entrepreneurs, innovators and inspired minds can meet the expert trio and find out more about the challenge - which calls for innovation in three important areas for New Zealand: living healthier, working safer and playing smarter.

“It is a huge privilege for the Challenge to have the support of global experts of this calibre,” says Callaghan Innovation Chief Technology Officer Chris Harsthorn. “Their international experience will allow everyone from start-ups to established business the opportunity to take away valuable insights with practical application for wearables.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“We’re really excited about the C-Prize this year – it’s focused on wearables for health, wearables for play, and wearables for the workplace. They are three very diverse areas, but they are areas in tremendous need of innovation, and in tremendous need of solutions.

“Wearable device use has increased dramatically in New Zealand - in the past 12 months, the number of wearable technology owners has almost doubled and now represents 9% of people aged over 15, offering limitless opportunity for innovators.
“We know it takes a lot of courage to make the leap into innovation. An opportunity like C-Prize can be just the nudge that people with ideas and ambition need to create a tangible concept.”

Entrants will have their innovations reviewed and recognised by a panel of industry professionals, prominent investors, and entrepreneurs with the best becoming viable businesses.
The 2017 C-Prize grand-prize winner will be awarded a NZ$100,000 prize package and up to 10 finalist teams will each be awarded a NZ$35,000 prize package.

Entries close on July 2.

For more information see the website C-Prize 2017 Watch the C-Prize video Watch CTO Chris Hartshorn

ends

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Business Headlines | Sci-Tech Headlines

 
GenPro: General Practices Begin Issuing Clause 14 Notices

GenPro has been copied into a rising number of Clause 14 notices issued since the NZNO lodged its Primary Practice Pay Equity Claim against General Practice employers in December 2023.More

SPADA: Screen Industry Unites For Streaming Platform Regulation & Intellectual Property Protections

In an unprecedented international collaboration, representatives of screen producing organisations from around the world have released a joint statement.More

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.