Open Maker and European Maker Week: Disrupt, create, make!

The European Maker Week is an initiative promoted by European Commission and implemented by Maker Faire Rome in collaboration with Startup Europe, aim to draw European citizens to the “Maker world” and the FabLabs, Makerspaces, Hackersapce and the Hardware Startups Environment.

OpenMaker hosted un unparalleled journey with makers, visionaries, game changers, politicians and influencers where we discovered cutting-edge experiences from across Europe, experimented prototypes and debated how to shape the future European policies for makers and industry.

The “Maker Movement” is the name given to the increasing number of people coming from different backgrounds, who are employing do-it-yourself (DIY) and do-it-with-other (DIWO) techniques and processes to develop unique technologies and products as well innovative solutions. It became an emerging and dynamic social technology-based movement, embracing ‘Open Manufacturing’, a new paradigm for production, closer to people and local communities.

The OpenMaker event aimed in particular at showcasing, in the spirit of the project, how partnerships between makers and industry can develop cutting edge technical innovations with the potential to address societal challenges.

Antonio presented Bluerhapsody: pasta of excellence, designed to surprise both the eye and the palate. It is a selection of top-quality durum wheat semolina carefully crafted and always kneaded in small amounts, which ensures perfect texture. Technological innovation implemented in this project has become a tool shaping imagination: it is in the hands of the artist, who draws inspiration from nature and creates shapes. With its surprisingly new appearance, pasta is ready to be a tool in the chef’s hands and to become a work of art.

A spin-off project of Barilla, developed to explore food 3D printing for pasta. Currently in its startup process, is serving Michelin’s starred chefs and high-level caterings to augment the gastronomical experience making it available for customisation of ingredients and shapes. The project will also have a revolutionary impact for those with intolerances or that need to follow a specific diet.

Francesco and Dario Corona, co-founders of LiMiX, presented Talking Hands the device that translates sign language into voice. Talking Hands is a new product with a strong social impact: it is a completely wearable device, similar to a glove, that translates the LIS (Italian sign language). Using it, the deaf people will tear down the wall of incommunicability and be understood by everyone. It records hand movements during sign language usage, translates them and transfers signal to a smartphone, which pronounces the sentence using a voice synthesizer. The signs can raise their voice.

The Gluon Foundation is a group of trendsetters from the world of culture, politics, industry and science devoted to supporting Gluon’s innovative exhibitions and programs. Belonging to the Gluon Foundation means taking part in the future and supporting collaborations between artists, researchers and entrepreneurs.

Gluon is an organisation that realizes projects on the crossing borders of visual art, research and industry. For the realisation of its programme Gluon is supported by an extensive network of national and international research institutes, museums, public authorities, businesses and artists. Five partners are currently involved in its operation ab initio: the Research Institute iMinds, Erasmus Hogeschool Brussel, iMAL, BOZAR and ZEBRASTRAAT.

camilla.ravazzolo (@) plusvalue.org

Check out all pictures here!