Enterprising students from the University develop a project to generate electricity from footsteps.

The entrepreneurship programme of the University of Navarra, Fast Trackhas just concluded its first stage. For three months, more than 150 students from the centre have been developing different entrepreneurial projects with the aim of designing the best business plan. goal . 

The first stage of the competition consisted of defining an innovative entrepreneurial idea, developing it on a model canvas and presenting it to the other participants in audiovisual format. After a very close vote, Simo's was awarded the award of this first stage: €1,500 in technological material. 

The team, made up of Mario Ernesto Antelo, student , 3rd year Electrical Engineering student at Tecnun; Ricardo Martínez and Alejandro Muñoz, MIDI students (Master's Degree at research, development and Innovation of Medicines) at School Pharmacy; Javier Morales, 4th year Law + GLP (Global Law Program); and Alba Zabalza, PPE student (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) at School Philosophy and Letters, is developing tiles that absorb the energy of our footsteps and convert it into electrical energy. 

"Our goal is to place these tiles in spaces with a large number of people, such as shopping centres, concerts, large events or in the street. It would be fantastic to be able to illuminate different public or private spaces exclusively with the footsteps of the attendees," says Mario Ernesto, the team's engineer. In addition, "we are committed to sustainability and renewable energies. Unlike those that already exist, these tiles do not depend on climatic conditions, such as solar or wind energy", concludes Alba Zabalza.

In addition, Offiara was the team that came very close to this first position. Formed by Mª José Ortega, student of Master's Degree in Marriage and Family; Aitor Garmendia and Mikel Jauregui, from the 2nd year of Telecommunication Systems Engineering and 2nd year of Industrial Engineering, respectively; and Raúl González, Kilian Ramírez and Fernando Robles, students of Master's Degree of design Galenic and Manufacturing in Pharmaceutical Industries; the team is developing a system of bonuses in the rubbish bins to encourage citizens to recycle. "Users register with their profile and, depending on the weight and quality of their recycling, they get rewards or discounts from collaborating companies," adds Jauregui.
 

NEXT STEPS

The programme Fast Track programme of the University of Navarra brings together students from all Schools to train and develop multidisciplinary entrepreneurial projects. After the first stage, which began in September, the students have received training in ideation, canvas or market analysis. From January onwards, the final stage begins, which will run until April. During this second stage, the teams will continue to shape their projects and will receive a more exhaustive training on speech, financial statements, marketing, prototyping or business plans.

The definitive winners will be announced during the celebration of the Innovation Day on 30 April at the University of Navarra Museum.