Empa spin-off develops a sweating robot for industry and research
High-tech dummies that perspire
Last year four spin off companies were founded based on Empa technologies, one of them being Humanikin GmbH, established in October. Founder and ex-Empa researcher Mark Richards has been developing mannequins – special life size dummies which can move and perspire, thereby imitating the human body as realistically as possible. They are used in the development of better functional clothing for use in sports or for extreme working applications.
![https://3s17.empa.ch/documents/56164/286256/a592-2009-07-14-b1x-humanikin.jpg/620ce03c-2587-4966-a6dd-9ffcd3250c82?t=1448298691000](https://3s17.empa.ch/documents/56164/286256/a592-2009-07-14-b1x-humanikin.jpg/620ce03c-2587-4966-a6dd-9ffcd3250c82?t=1448298691000)
Caption: Pinocchio and his master: SAM the perspiring mannequin with his creator, scientist and young entrepreneur Mark Richards.
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First steps towards independence |
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SAM and his fellow dummies were a great success. Very quickly research institute and commercial companies became interested not just in Empa’s analyses and test results in this field but also in the simulation hardware itself, in order to allow them to carry out their own experiments. However, a research organization such as Empa is not in the business of manufacturing mannequins for third parties on an industrial scale. Nevertheless, the level of demand for his dummies gave Mark Richards the idea of establishing a spin-off, so after securing Empa’s support he presented his business model to the «tebo» and worked out a business plan. |
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Just the beginning…. |
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Customers for «SAM v2.0» include other research institutions apart from Empa itself and companies involved in the textile industry. Humanikin GmbH will not, however, actually produce the dummies itself, but rather concentrate on generating innovative ideas and working in cooperation with industrial partners who will manufacture and sell the mannequins (or component parts). |
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The demand is not just for complete mannequins – a model head is sufficient, for instance, in order to evaluate and test a helmet. A mini computer tomograph is also planned, which will allow scientists to investigate in more detail using X-rays the physical processes which occur in articles of clothing placed on an area of artificial skin. This will throw light on what happens to perspiration and body heat in clothing. |
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Mark Richards also reckons that his application to establish an EU research project named «Prospie» (Protective Responsive Outer Shell for People in Industrial Environments) has a good chance of being successful. Submitted a short time ago, the application has already passed two stages of the acceptance process. The project team will develop working clothing which integrates thermal warning systems, with Humanikin being responsible for providing suitable sensors and electronics. In the research project Richard’s team will be working in a consortium together with 16 partners from all over Europe, including Empa. |
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