HomeNewsNine projects from Twente at Dutch Design Week

Nine projects from Twente at Dutch Design Week

The University of Twente (UT) is prominently visible this year at the Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven. At the largest design event in Northern Europe (2400 designers, 250,000 visitors), the UT's CTW faculty is presenting nine innovative projects.  

The UT projects at the Dutch Design Week are part of the Mind the Step exhibition, coordinated by Design United, the 3TU research centre for design. Mind the Step last year attracted more than 70,000 visitors who were acquainted with a special kind of design.  

Milestones

"We show designs that represent the milestones in a development in design, use and technology," says Julia Garde, lecturer within the UT Industrial Design Engineering degree programme. "None of the products are currently available in the shops, but are solutions that impact the quality of our society. Our ingenious discoveries came about following interaction with users, industry and extensive research." During Mind the Step, visitors can engage in conversation with the designers and researchers.  

The Twente projects


Nature-inspired Breaks
Refreshment and flow at work
Geke Ludden, Valerie Mencke 

Can designers put nature back into products so that we truly experience the healing effects of nature? And can these products be used to create peace and quiet and enjoyment at work? Try the nature-inspired breaks, playful interaction and a stimulating sensory experience, based on nature. 



MyDayLight
Structure everyday activities using light colours
Jelle van Dijk 

MyDayLight helps people with autism to introduce structure into their everyday activities by means of interaction. Is it time to do the dishes? Then the light colour in the kitchen changes. MyDayLight gives subtle hints; users design the light (and thus their lives) in the way they want.  



Green Team Twente
Car of the future runs on pure hydrogen 

With the ‘H2Zero’, Green Team Twente really has the car of the future. The efficient and comfortable car, which is beautiful in all respects, runs on hydrogen and, by using high-tech materials and cutting-edge technology, derives enough energy from one Mars bar to drive for three hours. 



V20 solar racer
First series-built hydrofoil solar racer
Tjitte de Wolff 

The V20 is the world's first series-built hydrofoil solar racer. The challenge was to design the cockpit: light, ergonomic and reproducible. The design has been tested with 3D models of drivers to make sure that 90% of the target group can handle the boat.  



Hybrid Design Tools: Ideation Lab
Combining the best of both worlds in practice
Robert Wendrich 

Hybrid design tools bring both worlds closer together, by combining real and virtual content. The approach assists users to externalize, represent, iterate and visualize their ideas, vague images and thoughts by means of a series of diverse design tools. The users utilize their cognitive human capabilities, creativity, emotions and intuitive power to design on the basis of feelings, experiences and expertise. 



Healthcare Environment & Activity Design (HEAD) game
Playing together, building together
Julia Garde 

Designing mobile hospitals is complex. Everything must together, while a single general overview is often lacking. So many decisions, so many stakeholders. These two design games introduce movement 'in the tent'. One game promotes discussion among all stakeholders, the other facilitates co-design with decision-makers. 



LOPES (video)
Robotic treadmill trainer gets most immobile patients moving  
Edwin van Asseldonk 

The robotic treadmill trainer LOPES helps patients to move again in an intensive, functional manner. The 'secret' is the 'shadow leg' that transfers its power to the user's leg when required. LOPES is ideal for individual assistance, even for the most immobile patients.  



Reflex leg
Sensitive robotics in an energy-efficient prosthetic leg
Bart Koopman 

The reflex leg 'works' without a separate external drive. The upper leg, lower leg and foot of the reflex leg are joined together with smart springs that contract and relax in such a way that 80% of the 'walking energy' is reused. Ideal for walking uphill or at different tempos. 



SCRIPT HAND ORTHOSIS
Useful rehabilitation robotics for multifunctional use
Arno Stienen 

The use of robotics is of great value during the rehabilitation after a stroke. In the SCRIPT project (Supervised Care & Rehabilitation Involving Personal Tele-robotics) various arm/hand rehabilitation systems have been developed which incorporate finger, hand and wrist therapy. One is these is the exoskeleton; a hand orthosis for multifunctional use.

L.P.W. van der Velde MSc (Laurens)
Spokesperson Executive Board (EB)