Among the thirty innovative projects presented at the second edition of ElectroCap Demo Day, were motion sensors designed to monitor and ensure the safety of elderly individuals living alone, equipment intended for canine units during search and rescue operations—including a camera, GPS positioning, and a hazardous gas detector—traffic light control systems to facilitate the movement of emergency vehicles, devices for precise altitude control of atmospheric balloons, accessibility systems at bus stops for the visually impaired, mechanisms for detecting fire direction in combat situations, and solutions aimed at reducing sleep disturbances for night and shift workers.
The event took place on 5 July at 2 p.m. and highlighted the ideas brought to life by students during the first semester within the 1st Cycle Integrative Project (PIC1) curricular unit. It was part of the ElectroDay programme, which had been running at the same venue since the morning and attracted over six hundred visitors.
“ElectroDay is a huge demonstration of creative potential and talent of Técnico students when they combine their dedication with the training they receive”, said Rogério Colaço, the president of Técnico, as the event drew to a close. “This is the path that Técnico has been following, which is beginning to bear fruit and has a significant impact”, he added, expressing gratitude to the students, professors, staff, and partners involved in the event.
Miguel Teixeira, president of the Pedagogical Council, noted that there have been “many pedagogical changes at Técnico”, but emphasised that “the integrative projects are probably the best achievements in recent years.” He highlighted the difference between students who excel at exams and those who thrive in project-based work, asserting that the latter is likely more relevant in professional contexts. This, he believes, reinforces the importance of including these integrative projects in students’ academic careers.
According to Nuno Horta, the Head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (DEEC), the projects showcased at Técnico Innovation Center that afternoon represent “the culmination of three years of effort and dedication from all the students present today.” He emphasised that these projects “translate the knowledge they have accumulated into practical and usable results”, which is “very, very valuable.”
The day’s agenda also included presentations from Students’ Organisations, as well as from the Undergraduate Programmes in Electrical and Computer Engineering (Alameda campus), Electronics Engineering (Oeiras campus), and Telecommunications and Informatics Engineering (Oeiras campus).
Awards, sponsors and almost two million ElectroCoins
The atmosphere of the day was festive, celebrating the culmination of months of hard work. During breaks between their presentations to visitors (who included family, friends, and onlookers of all ages), Técnico students exchanged ideas with peers from other groups. They playfully shared toffees offered as gifts from each other’s exhibition stands and burst into laughter after inhaling small balloons filled with helium, which one of the teams had brought for their demonstration.
The performance of these young students was rewarded not only with academic results but also with several awards. NOS and Jerónimo Martins, the initiative’s sponsors, presented the Best Demonstrator and Innovation Award, and the Communication Award, respectively. Additionally, they made a donation to DEEC. There was also the Investors’ Award (non-monetary), which was determined by visitors’ votes using ElectroCoins—a fictitious currency given to all visitors upon entering the venue that served as ‘investment capital’ for the various projects showcased. In this year’s edition, a total of 1,716,000 ElectroCoins were invested, contributed by 572 visitors.
Best Demonstrator and Innovation, sponsored by NOS
- Award – VITA;
- Honourable Mentions – NAVGUIDE; Tactical Canine Systems.
Communication Award, sponsored by Jerónimo Martins
- Award – PowerLine Drone;
- Honourable Mentions – Sustainable Base Station Monitoring; Rescue Tracker.
Investors’ Award, voted by visitors
- 1st place, 104.000 ElectroCoins – SoilSense;
- 2nd place, 96.000 ElectroCoins – DEMS;
- 3rd place, 93.000 ElectroCoins – SmartRack.
The ElectroCap Programme, part of the 1st Cycle Integrative Project curricular unit, aims to provide students with the opportunity to integrate the concepts they have learned during their first cycle of studies into the resolution of a real-world problem or challenge. This initiative offers value not only to the students themselves but also to Técnico and society as a whole.
Each project is undertaken by a team of six students who select an innovation challenge, define an approach to the problem at hand, engage with potential clients, research the competition, and develop an innovative solution that benefits the community. Throughout the semester, team members report on their project’s development via the project’s web pages. They meet bi-weekly with their teaching assistant and periodically with an advisor or mentor. Additionally, participants attend a series of seminars on topics related to innovation and electrical and computer engineering as part of the programme.
The inaugural ElectroCap Demo Day, held in 2024, featured 182 students, 32 challenges, and attracted around 1,000 visitors to the Técnico Innovation Center.
