Picture a farm where robots work through the night, eliminating disease without a single drop of chemicals. It sounds like science fiction, but it's already happening on strawberry farms across Britain and vineyards throughout California, thanks to a remarkable robot called Thorvald. Thorvald is an autonomous robot that uses UVC light as a preventative treatment for crop diseases. Thorvald's unique horseshoe design allows it to glide autonomously through polytunnels and vineyards at night, em...
What if the thrill of Formula One racing could inspire tomorrow's engineers? That's exactly what's happening with Scalextric4Schools, a nationwide initiative that's transforming how students engage with STEM subjects across the UK. The iconic slot car racing brand Scalextric is challenging secondary school students to design, build, and race their own cars. From aerodynamics to weight distribution analysis, students learn real-world engineering principles and experience the same technical cha...
What if your motorcycle wasn’t just electric, but designed to evolve with you? That’s the question Ryvid, a California-based electric vehicle startup, is answering with their bold new approach to urban mobility. Their modular, lightweight motorcycles are built not only for performance and style, but for sustainability across the full product lifecycle. The electric battery at the heart of the vehicle is swappable and can be easily detached to use as an off-grid power source. We travele...
Mazak Europe is part of the Yamazaki Mazak Corporation, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of CNC machine tools and laser cutting machines. These machines use ultra-precise multi-axis tools to shape the components used in everything from medical devices to Formula One cars. But Mazak’s focus is not just on performance, it is on sustainability, with a bold goal to halve its carbon footprint by 2030. We visit Mazak’s European headquarters in Worcester, UK to meet Engineering Manager...
Ronna Medical is an advanced technology company revolutionizing neurosurgery with advanced robotic systems. These robots assist in making surgeries such as biopsies more accurate, safe and efficient. The RONNA (short for Robotic Neuro-Navigation) robotic arm is controlled remotely by the surgeon and is able to make the surgeries more cost-effective and lead to better success rates and shorter recovery times for the patients. We travel to Ronna Medical’s headquarters in Zagrab, Croatia t...
H55 is a Swiss company pioneering electric propulsion systems for aircraft, from energy storage to battery management. Founded in 2017, they operate across Switzerland, Canada, and France. With roots in the groundbreaking Solar Impulse project, H55’s technology promises to help to decarbonize air transport. H55’s vision is for a cleaner, quieter, more efficient aviation industry. We head inside H55’s headquarters in Sion, Switzerland with co-founder Gregory Blatt. He tells us more about their...
At the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) in Genoa, humanoid robots are no longer just science fiction, they’re being developed for tasks such as assisting human workers in factories and even flying into disaster zones. Researchers are pushing the boundaries of robotics with innovations like ErgoCub, a robot designed to support industrial workers which can carry loads of up to 10kg, and iRonCub, a jet-powered robot built for emergency response. We head inside IIT’s robotics lab with Daniel...
Open Bionics is a UK-based company developing low-cost, 3D printed prosthetics designed to enhance people’s lives and display their creativity. Their products include the Hero Arm, a lightweight prosthetic arm, the Gauntlet, a partial hand prosthesis, and the Hero Flex, an activity arm. Rather than making prosthetics which attempt to look like real limbs, Open Bionics are unashamedly robotic. Their products are fully customisable and include designs from popular brands like Marvel and Disney....
Iconic British designer Dame Vivienne Westwood set up her fashion brand in the 1970s, reflecting the rebellious spirit of the era and embracing punk and counterculture. With a design record spanning over fifty years, Vivienne Westwood is now recognized as a global brand. Their motto is “buy less, choose well, make it last.” This sets them apart as pioneering a more sustainable form of fashion, discouraging the over-consumption which can be caused by following trends. We head to the Vi...
In this special episode of Third Angle, we’re looking back at some of the innovative tech, toys and gadgets we have featured on the podcast. From model kits that contain life-like details of fighter jets, to ear buds with 360 degree spatialized sound, to top-of-the-range electronic keyboards, to interactive robotic toys, we are celebrating the future of gifting. We head to Copenhagen to talk to Morten Urup, the VP of Consumer Devices at communications company Jabra, then to the HQ of consum...
“We are at the forefront of innovation.” In this episode of Third Angle, we’re heading over to Gröbenzell to explore hydrokinetic power generation with Energyminer. The Energyfish is a crucial part of Energyminer's offering, providing turnkey power plants composed of schools of Energyfish, which harness river currents to produce sustainable energy 24 hours a day, all without disrupting aquatic ecosystems. We spoke to Chantel Niebuhr, CTO of Energyminer, about the development of innovative te...
“When those rockets light, the air just vibrates. You feel the sound permeating your body in waves… It’s magical.” NASA has been pushing the boundaries of space exploration for decades, and today, the Artemis program is the next giant leap. With a mission to return humans to the moon and venture even further into space, NASA is embracing cutting-edge digital engineering to make this vision a reality. In this episode, NASA give us very special access behind the scenes at Kennedy Space Center...
“We’re creating a whole new market of active mobility.” In this episode of Third Angle, we’re taking a trip to the French Alps to learn all about the future of one of the newest forms of transport - a visionary, chainless vehicle with an advanced pedaling system. Carlos Torres, Co-Founder and Head of Design at CIXI, Nicolas Ohlmann, Co-Founder and Chief Technical Officer and Fabien Ronzani, Engineer show us how the team is redefining active mobility and creating a new world where they want ev...
“Our vision is to be a fast track developer of advanced mobility products.” In this episode of Third Angle, we take a guided tour of the YCOM HQ, a leader in motorsports engineering and lightweight composites. Join us as we explore how founder Nicola Scimeca is changing the automotive industry, overseeing every aspect from concept to completion. Discover how YCOM pioneered the world's first fleet of racing e-scooters for the Electric Scooter Championship (ESC) and learn about their unique app...
“The Dallara Stradale is the last of its kind” In this episode of the Third Angle, we head to Italy’s Motor Valley to explore the engineering prowess of Dallara, the legendary manufacturer behind some of the most advanced racing cars in the world. Our host Paul Haimes, meets with Andrea Pontremoli, CEO of Dallara, and two members of his team - Luca Pignacca and Daniele Guarnaccia to reveal the story behind the Dallara Stradale, a car that takes Formula car technology to the next level. The St...
“An automotive interior that looks like it’s been plucked out of the finest British coachbuilt cars” In this episode of Third Angle, we explore the future of personal aviation with Hill Helicopters, a company aiming to redefine the helicopter industry with their groundbreaking designs. Discover how they combine sleek, luxury design with cutting-edge technology to create helicopters that are not only beautiful but incredibly easy to fly. Hill Helicopters’ ambition is to become the “Aston Marti...
“KTM X-BOW has always had ready to race in the DNA” In this episode of Third Angle, we go behind the scenes at KTM, an Austrian manufacturer at the forefront of racing excellence. Their X-BOW series is a sports car which contains all of the innovation and design features of a modern racing car. Join us as we learn all about the X-BOW, with its iconic jet fighter canopy, five-cylinder engine, removable steering wheel and carbon fibre monocoque. The cars are manufactured in Austria by hand, w...
“We consider the whole life of the product when we design it” In this episode of Third Angle, we explore the world of agricultural robotics with Muddy Machines, a pioneering company tackling the challenges of modern farming. Join us as we learn all about how Muddy Machines' innovative robot, Sprout, is improving asparagus harvesting. Design engineer James Fraser gives us an inside look at the sustainable technology that’s reducing soil damage, cutting emissions, and addressing labor sho...
Looking back: Products that are changing the lives of everyday people A special episode highlighting outstanding companies making significant improvements to our everyday lives. From enhancing experiences for the deafblind community to changing the way we rest for a refreshed and ready start to the day. We highlight the innovative and creative efforts making the world a better place, one product at a time. Feeling inspired after listening to this? Listen back to all of our episodes on the PTC...
“Here we bring magic to life.” In this episode, we’re taken into the enchanting world of Hasbro, a toy and games company. Guided by Chris Whipple, Senior Design Engineer and Justin Pringle, a creative force behind the beloved brands such as Potato Head and Furby. In Rhode Island we uncover the magic behind some of the most iconic toys ever created. We hear about a pivotal moment in toy history during the 1970s and 1980s, highlighting how story-driven play became a major trend and we explore t...