About the course
This course aims toward challenge-based, project-based learning in interdisciplinary student teams, working on open-ended assignments in close interaction with high-tech companies and societal organizations. It combines the design and engineering of a product/service/system and new business development. The course involves no lectures, but studio style group work, self-study and personal and team development. Several out-of-the box workshops will be given (effectual cooking, survival game, Woensel West validation, visual thinking, book-a-ton, pitching training, dare-to-fail workshop, and tools workshop). Students are in the lead in their learning processes. The course is part of educational innovation in TU/e innovation Space, which is modelled after Aalto University’s Design Factory, Parsons Paris' Makelab and Civic design lab, Stanford University’s D. School, and MIT’s Media Lab.
The course 1ZM150 is a semester course and starts in Q1 and Q3.
The registration deadlines are similar to the ones of other courses. Registration for 1ZM150 is possible on Osiris.
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Which challenges
Every semester, a new list of challenges is available on thispage.
Here you will find short descriptions per challenges. At the start of the course you can choose on which challenge you want to work during the course.
Challenges 2024-2025
The challenges for the first and second semester of the innovation Space project are aligned with the TU/e innovation Space thematic areas for 2024-2025. At the start of the course on or more thematic areas and challenges are presented for the students to work on. Below you can find a short description of these thematic areas.
Engineering Health and Vitality
Enhance the well-being and vitality of individuals and communities. In this theme, students work on challenges that generate innovative ideas to improve healthcare delivery, encourage healthy lifestyles, harness emerging technologies for medical progress, and develop inclusive solutions for better overall health.
Sustainable Industry
Drive the transition towards a greener and more sustainable industrial landscape. Students work on challenges that promote eco-friendly manufacturing processes, resource-efficient production, waste reduction, and the integration of renewable energy solutions.
Regenerative Resources
Help shape a circular economy by addressing challenges that focus on regenerative resources. In this theme, students work on challenges that address sustainable sourcing, waste reduction, resource recovery, and the development of innovative materials and processes.
Responsible Mobility
Create a sustainable future for transportation by addressing challenges that foster environmentally friendly and responsible solutions. Students tackle projects aimed at reducing emissions, enhancing infrastructure, improving accessibility, and revolutionizing transportation systems.
Smart Urban Spaces
Enhance cities by transforming them into vibrant, connected, and livable environments. Students can tackle challenges focusing on optimizing urban areas through urban planning, energy efficiency, safety, and citizen well-being, using cutting-edge technologies and data-driven solutions.
Art as a Catalyst
Moving beyond conventional problem-solving, this theme addresses the world's challenges with a radical openness. Through art and design new perspectives are embraced, leading to surprising innovations.
Challenges 2023-2024 semester 2
The challenges for the second semester of the innovation Space project are aligned with the TU/e innovation Space thematic areas for 2023-2024. At the start of the course on or more thematic areas and challenges are presented for the students to work on. Below you can find a short description of these thematic areas.
Engineering Health and Vitality
In this theme, students work on challenges that prioritize the well-being and vitality of individuals and communities. Think of innovative ideas to enhance healthcare delivery, promote healthy lifestyles, leverage emerging technologies in medical advancements, and create inclusive and accessible solutions for improved overall health. Together, let's engineer a healthier future.
Sustainable Industry
Drive the transition towards a greener and more sustainable industrial landscape. Students work on challenges that promote eco-friendly manufacturing processes, resource- efficient production, waste reduction, and the integration of renewable energy solutions. Join us in revolutionizing industry practices for a sustainable and prosperous future.
Regenerative Resources
Help shape a circular economy by addressing challenges that focus on regenerative resources. In this theme, students work on challenges that address sustainable sourcing, waste reduction, resource recovery, and the development of innovative materials and processes. Together, let's create a future where resources are utilized efficiently and sustainably.
Responsible Mobility
In this theme, students embrace the future of transportation by working on challenges that promote environmentally friendly and socially responsible mobility solutions. They will develop innovative ideas to reduce emissions, improve infrastructure, enhance accessibility, and revolutionize transportation systems for a sustainable and connected world.
Smart Urban Spaces
This theme is all about transforming cities into vibrant, connected, and livable environments. Students can develop cutting-edge technologies, data-driven solutions, and intelligent infrastructure to optimize urban planning, energy efficiency, mobility, and citizen well-being. Join us in shaping the cities of tomorrow.
Art as a Catalyst
In this theme, students will work on challenges with both technological and artistic/design aspects. The idea is to approach societal or technological challenges from a fundamentally different perspective through art methodology: using art in catalyzing change.
Challenges 2023-2024 semester 1
1. Helping Low Literate People
Challenge Owner: Eindhoven Engine
Description: You can find the long description here.
Summary: This challenge aims to help low literate people in the Eindhoven region. You as a student will investigate how low literate people can best be taught the basic competencies (reading, arithmetic and digital skills) that they need in their daily life. We want you to think about an alternative learning method by creating a “technical” solution which can be used by the target group in their own time.
2. Nudging groups of people at events
Challenge Owner: Intelligent Lighting Institute + various companies
Description: You can find the long description here.
Summary: At events, such as festivals, big sports events etc, there are multiple moments where it would be helpful if people could be nudged, e.g. when queues are long at one point, while somewhere else there is no queue at all. Or when the atmosphere starts to become grim, and you would like to turn it into a positive atmosphere where people enjoy themselves. Light can play a role to nudge people or influence their mood. We challenge you to develop a proposition to nudge groups of people at events.
3. Teenage moms & Female Empowerment via Sanitary Pads
Challenge Owner: One World Citizens (NL) – GAAFAADE Collection project (Rwanda)
Description: You can find the long description here.
Summary: Help One World Citizens to empower teenage moms, girls & women in Rwanda by creating a self-sufficient social enterprise business model for reusable and sustainable sanitary pads.
4. Sustainable Airline
Challenge Owner: Sustainable Aviation Youth Foundation (SAYF)
Description: You can find the long description here.
Summary: Recent advancements in sustainable technologies bring zero-emission aviation closer to reality. Although there are many projects working towards this goal (Solar Impulse), we have yet to see a sustainable airline becoming public. The impact that aviation is having on the climate will be felt most by the youth of today, and therefore, the initiative taken by them will be crucial to reach the climate goals set by climate plans such as the Paris Agreement.
5. The Future of Vitality at Work
Challenge Owner: Workplace Vitality Hub
Description: You can find the long description here.
Summary: How can we reshape the office into a more vital office through environmental optimisation and behaviour change for mental and physical well-being?