About

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TU/e innovation Space

TU/e innovation Space is a community that develops and facilitates interdisciplinary hands-on Challenge-Based Learning (CBL), engineering design and entrepreneurship. In the Matrix building, students learn to deal with complex societal and industrial challenges, develop innovative projects with researchers, businesses and other stakeholders. Furthermore, TU/e innovation Space provides a space and support for lecturers that develop and offer hands-on courses and want to contribute to innovation in education.

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From dream, to demo, to impact

What do a solar camper, an artificial heart, and a firefighting drone have in common? They are created by engineers of the future.

These engineers of the future work on urgent societal challenges. Real-world, open-ended challenges from industry, government, and society. The societal challenges are complex and can’t be solved by selecting a clever technological solution from a single field. For example, how do we ensure clean, affordable energy? Sufficient housing? Food for all? And how can we age healthily, as life expectancy increases? These challenges require creative solutions based on collaboration and communication. So, these engineers of the future need to be able to pitch their ideas, deal with uncertainty, and work in interdisciplinary teams with an entrepreneurial mindset.

The building blocks

Education

TU/e innovation Space offers and supports a wide range of interdisciplinary Bachelor and Master courses/projects that (can) have a societal impact. Within the three CBL-flagship courses, students can decide which challenge presented by companies or societal organizations they want to work on. While doing so, they challenge themselves with a real-life project, gain experience in teamwork, join an interdisciplinary team, work closely with professionals, and use the prototyping facilities in the Matrix building.

Bring theory to life

Student teams

About 650 students participate in one of the ~40 student teams every academic year. The teams work on smart solutions in the fields of sustainability, health, smart mobility, and artificial intelligence. A student team has many similarities with entrepreneurial and CBL education. Students with different backgrounds are working together on a challenge. Because the group consists of students from various fields of study, they look at a problem from different perspectives and come together to a smart solution.

Join or start a team

Community

Walking into the Matrix building means walking into a versatile workspace that brings people together. At TU/e innovation Space, students and lecturers use the meeting and workspaces during their courses. The Light Assembly is a student prototyping space, that also accommodates presentations, exhibitions, and other educational events. The area is linked to the open office, pantry, and the chill and event area where innovation Space - in addition to its educational functions - hosts many community events.

Visit an event

Facilities

As a student, you need a space to bring your ideas to life. In the various workshops of TU/e innovation Space you have the opportunity to shape your ideas under supervision or after instruction. In the Light Assembly you transition your idea from concept to prototyping. For further refinement, you can use 3D printers, laser cutters, sawing and painting capabilities, lathes or virtual reality equipment. Need assistance? The assistants at the Servicedesk are always ready to help.

Craft your vision

Core team

TU/e innovation Space falls under the Governance of the Education Board, which is responsible for the development and implementation of CBL and student entrepreneurship. All activities are performed in close collaboration with the responsible lecturers in the departments. These connections are formally organized through a network of ambassadors. Students are integral to the organization; via direct contact in courses, the student teams and the Student Assistants’ part of the core team.

Meet the team

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