Intelligent Machines
Anyone Can Be an Inventor
"Too many people believe that an invention has to be completely revolutionary to be worth patenting,” said Pasi Rautiainen, representative of the Research and Innovation Services of Tampere University of Technology at an Everyday Inventions seminar organised by the Teknokas Technology Education Centre.
“An invention may consist of a good idea, a piece of software, an algorithm, a database, a text or a publication. The most important thing is that it can be defined and dated. Above all, you have to be able to prove that you developed the invention independently, for example before a corporate partnership project began."
Rautiainen especially encouraged students and new entrepreneurs to protect their inventions properly. He also believed that, besides publishing academic papers, university researchers should focus more on applying for patents and commercialising their research outcomes.
The opposite extreme of creativity and innovation was represented by Juha Pulkkila of the Tampere Electric Vehicle Centre (TEVC). In the open electric vehicle development community, the most important thing is to come up with new ideas and inventions, looking for the recognition, not the money, that they bring. “All the necessary components for electric cars already exist. You just have to put them together. For example, there are already 1.5 million engine heater sockets in Finland that could easily be converted into charging stations,” Pulkkila said.
Innovation a Part of General Education
The Teknokas Technology Education Centre develops and disseminates general technology education, especially by providing further and supplementary teacher training. The Centre produces content, methodology, teaching materials and tools for teachers of various education levels. Because technology often develops through innovation, improving problem identification and solving skills and encouraging creativity are important elements of technology education.
Another major element of the Centre’s work is promoting innovation among Finnish SMEs. Teknokas organises activities for employees that inspire innovation. Teaching materials that encourage innovation and creativity are tailored for each client.
The Everyday Inventions seminar was a new foray into communicating the importance of innovation beyond academia and the SME world.
Held in Tampere in early October, the seminar featured not only Pasi Rautiainen and Juha Pulkkila but also Anssi Orrenmaa (a renowned inventor of everyday tips and tricks), Professor Yrjö Neuvo from Aalto University, Liina Kangas of the Creative Tampere programme, upper secondary school Director Jorma Suonio from the City of Tampere, Petri Räsänen from Hermia Oy and Juho Koskenranta of the Blebeiji student union at Tampere University of Technology.
Most presentations emphasised the importance of learning from mistakes and having an open mind towards experts from other disciplines. Innovation and the potentially resulting business activity always require creativity. The Creative Tampere programme supports this by promoting entrepreneurship among young people, for instance through mentoring and by providing shared work spaces.
Teknokas is operated by the Oulu Southern Institute of the University of Oulu. Funding is provided by the Kerttu Saalasti Foundation. Teknokas collaborates in science and technology education with the Finnish National Board of Education, Design Museum Helsinki, the Technology Museum in Helsinki, the Heureka Finnish Science Centre, and Science Centre Tietomaa, among others.
Within the Centre of Expertise Programme, Teknokas collaborates in particular with Hermia Ltd, coordinator of the Tampere Region Centre of Expertise. Having originally grown from educational and institutional roots, Teknokas gained through Hermia an opening into the world of industry and business. In exchange, Teknokas imbues the workers of the future with a positive attitude towards technology and innovation, so important for industry and commerce.
