News

From nanopaper to pancakes, student-built devices at Mechatronic Circus put on a variety show

Published:
Mechatronics course culminates in an event featuring student projects and circus antics.
mekatroniikan sirkus 2019 robottikäsi asmo kaasinen ja olli malmi
Asmo Kaasinen and Olli Malmi built a robotic hand that follows the user's motions.

The Puumiehenkuja block was filled with robots, industrial internet devices, strange contraptions for everyday tasks and a circus atmosphere on Thursday 4 April as students showed off the projects they had worked on in a mechatronics course during the spring. The joy of experimentation was the driving force in these machines built by bachelor's and master's degree students, but their results may also be put to use in research. The show included innovations in paper machine technology, smart traffic, crane technology and more.

See the full list of devices here.

Photos: Annamari Tolonen / Aalto University

mekatroniikan sirkus 2019 automaattisaha
Mekatroniikan sirkus 2019 puun tilavuuden mittalaite
Teemu Laine, Viljami Pirttimaa and Simo Lindblom built a device to measure the density of trees. It can help estimate a forest's total biomass and carbon sink potential.
mekatroniikan sirkus 2019 pianonsoittolaite
This piano-playing device is controlled with a tablet computer.
mekatroniikan sirkus 2019 kahvikone
Johanna Hao, Chengxi Zhang and their team built a prototype for a smart coffee maker.
mekatroniikan sirkus 2019 anakconda nosturi
This "universal gripper" attached to a crane can grab a hold of an object of any shape. Jesse Miettinen and Iiro Vuorinen demonstrate with a coat rack as Patrick Frilund controls the crane.
mekatroniikan sirkus 2019 avaimenhakijarobotti
Matti Ylikontiola, Heidi Strengell and Sini Simpura built a robot that collects dropped keys and other small metal objects.
mekatroniikan sirkus 2019 sirkustaiteilija
As usual, the event featured captivating circus acts.
mekatroniikan sirkus 2019 märkäkehruukone
Tuomas Toimela, Jami Jormakka and their team constructed an experimental device for producing nanopaper.
mekatroniikan sirkus 2019 3d-tulostettu lennokki
This model plane built by Aleksi Salmi and Topias Laitinen features a 3D-printed fuselage.
mekatroniikan sirkus 2019 automaattinosturi
An integrated laser scanner allows a crane to detect and avoid obstacles in its environment.
mekatroniikan sirkus 2019 lettukone
The pancake robot measures batter, flips the pancake and drops it on your plate. Orders can be placed via mobile device.
mekatroniikan sirkus 2019 pysy tarkkana auton kamerajärjestelmä
Dani Fridman, Jussi Vimpari, Juho Norema and Lavinia Pedrollo have developed a 360-degree camera system for cars that allows the driver to see other cars and pedestrians, even if they are in blind spots.
mekatroniikan sirkus 2019 sirkustaiteilija
  • Published:
  • Updated:

Read more news

See all
A man in a white sweater and dark trousers stands with arms crossed in front of a park area with brick buildings and trees.
Studies Published:

Summer School Teacher Interview: ‘The future will be shaped by AI and ML in ways we can only begin to imagine’

Dariush Salami is teaching the brand new summer course Intro to AI and Machine Learning (ML) by Aalto University Summer School, and hopes that students will leave the course with a sense of excitement and curiosity about the potential of AI and ML – and a clear understanding of how they can contribute to the field.
Alum Janette Malmström
Cooperation, Studies Published:

Alum Janette Malmström: A business strategist guiding companies through change

At Monitor Deloitte, Janette excels not only in project management but also in providing valuable strategic insight to clients.
A group of people wearing colourful student overalls walk down steps beside a brick building and a large tree.
Studies Published:

Aalto University’s master’s programmes spark interest worldwide

Master’s programmes attract a diverse array of applicants from across the globe, representing 127 nationalities
A group of people posing on large stone steps in an amphitheatre. The building behind has large windows and a green roof.
Research & Art Published:

Aalto in 2024: Love pictured in the brain, wooden crystals that make fashion shine, recovering minerals from wastewater and more

This year has been another feast of science and art at Aalto University
See all