Prague, 7 July 2022 – The prototyping workshop of 3D printer manufacturer Josef Průša has launched the second year of its acceleration programme focused on the development of innovative products. From 75 applicants, an expert jury selected three start-ups, which received financial backing worth hundreds of thousands of crowns and have been working closely with technology experts on the development of their solutions since May 2022.
„The programme's unusual focus on physical products has once again proved to be a major draw for innovating companies. The success of the pilot year, which resulted in a fifteen-million-crown investment from Prusa Research, confirmed the accelerator's capacity to move an idea from a drawing to the functional prototype stage. This year's call also placed an emphasis on sustainability, and I am very pleased that every selected project reflects this in its solution.” says PrusaLab manager Ondřej Kašpárek.
Student startup FlockLock is promising a revolution in pasture cattle farming thanks to smart ear tags. According to co-founder Daniel Rychlý, the solution should monitor the location, activity and health status of the animals, and alert farmers to potential risks such as theft, reduced activity or straying. The product will also include a mobile application for remote herd monitoring. „We already tested the concept in practice as part of the bachelor's thesis. The goal for the acceleration programme is therefore the development of a prototype suitable for mass testing on several herds.” Delivered by Rychlý.
By focusing on micromobility, the Last Miles roller skates impressed the jury. They strap directly onto shoes and, when folded, fit into a regular backpack. They can thus serve as an alternative for fast transport around the city or when travelling. The creators have already verified interest in such a solution. The project raised almost double its original target during a successful crowdfunding campaign. „The aim of our stay in the incubator is now to complete the development of the final product and produce 100 units, which we will deliver to our first customers,” comments co-founder Tibor Kučera.
Completing the trio of winners is the Goboline project with their new light projection technology solution. The innovation lies in converting standard circular projector lighting into linear lighting. This can bring significant energy and financial savings, especially in industrial spaces that use light projection for floor marking. „Furthermore, the entire system is connected. For example, floor markings can interactively show forklift drivers where to take their load.” explains co-founder Matyáš Kavan. In PrusaLab, Goboline will focus on developing a functional prototype.
Photograph:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1A-SheEKz5wZwMedKQBx2xi7xJw3kvBJr?usp=sharing
Media contact:
Vojtěch Bartoš
+420 721 159 643
info@prusalab.cz
Further information about the programme, including links to individual projects, can be found at https://www.prusalab.cz/akcelerator.
About PrusaLab and the hardware accelerator:
PrusaLab is a prototyping workshop operating under the wing of Josef Průša and the company Prusa Research since 2018. It focuses on 3D printing, prototyping, the development and support of innovative projects.
In 2021, the graduates of the first year of the PrusaLab hardware accelerator were the projects Vanilla Robotics and Posedla. Prusa Research subsequently invested 15 million crowns in the second of these start-ups.
