TüftelCamp 2024: Technology Fascination for Young Talents

Leister Insight11 Nov 2024

19 young technology fans took up the challenge of collecting soil samples with self-built machines and transporting them with a vehicle. A challenging task in which they were actively supported by the tüftelPark team as well as experts from Leister and Maxon.

Author: Anja Wieder, Corporate Communication Manager, Leister AG

Developing a robot system

This year’s TüftelCamp was a week full of creative ideas and exciting challenges for 19 young inventors from year six upwards. From October 7 to 11, 2024, they worked together with apprentices from Leister and Maxon on an innovative project under the slogan “Mission on Mars”: the development of their own robot system including a vehicle.

Small teams disassembled the Mars rover into its individual parts in order to design their own robotic system. The invention week started with intensive brainstorming sessions and the first drafts in the CAD program. The next step was to manufacture the parts required using 3D printing and laser technology. After manufacturing these parts, the participants immersed themselves in IT. With great dedication, they learned how to program a microcontroller and bring the individual components to life.

A trip to Leister and Maxon: insights into practice

Another highlight of the invention week was the excursion to the companies Leister and Maxon. The young inventors were given an exciting insight into the production of high-tech products in the canton of Obwalden and were able to familiarize themselves with the apprentices’ workplaces on site.

Last day: teams master robotics challenge

Towards the end of the week, the robot arms were almost completely assembled, vehicles were running and the teams' presentations were taking shape. The highlight of the TüftelCamp was the final day, on which all teams presented the solutions they developed and successfully mastered the challenge set.

Team RNTN wins the Invention Prize

All the teams showed great dedication and perseverance, demonstrating their ability to develop impressive solutions. The results were judged by a high-caliber jury, including Daniel Wyler, member of the Pilatus tüftelPark board, Erika Windlin, Head of Training at Leister Technologies AG, and Martin Ming from maxon motor AG. The “RNTN” team stood out in particular, winning the invention prize with their creative solution.

The winning team (RNTN, Rian, Tim, Niklas, Niels) with jury and tüftelPark Pilatus board (back, from left to right: Samuel Friedrich, Managing Director tüftelPark Pilatus, Urs Kafader, maxon motors ag, Erika Windlin, Leister AG, Daniel Wyler, Councillor of Obwalden Canton, Martin Ming, maxon motor ag, Cedrik Brunner, Program Manager tüftelPark Pilatus)

Leister Foundation has been promoting experimentation since 2016

Since 2016, the Leister Foundation has been actively promoting young talent in technical professions, in particular by supporting the tüftelPark Pilatus in the canton of Obwalden. This commitment uses both financial and human resources and includes the regular invention competition organized and financed by Leister.

This week spent together not only offered exciting insights into the world of robotics, but also promoted teamwork and a spirit of innovation. A highlight for all involved.