Switzerland is one of the most innovative countries in the world – the Confederation is impressive evidence of this in the “temporary home of Switzerland” in Stuttgart.
Stuttgart – when you think of innovation, you might think of Silicon Valley in the USA or Hong Kong or Dubai – less of Switzerland. It is no longer a secret: Switzerland is one of the most innovative countries in the world. This has been proven by various studies and classifications for many years. So is the current situation classification Global Innovation Index (GII) of the World Intellectual Property Organization. Accordingly, Switzerland, Sweden and the United States are the three leading countries, Germany comes in ninth place and China is in 14th place.
According to the study, Switzerland is distinguished above all by the innovative strength of its economic sector – as a constant producer of high-quality innovations, with a high percentage of knowledge-intensive labour. Expenditures for research and development, which are carried out and financed by the private sector, are also high. The private sector accounts for more than two-thirds of Swiss spending on research and development (R&D), such Reports of the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation. Thus, these expenditures amount to more than three percent of GDP or about 22 billion francs, equivalent to 20.2 billion euros.
Switzerland leads the way in research and development
Switzerland is also at the forefront when it comes to human capital and research system. It ranks fourth in research and development (R&D) spending, fifth in research and development-intensive companies worldwide and fourth in university quality – ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) among the top 20. Ranking universities in the world.
Anyone who wants to feel, hear, and experience this innovative power should come to “Temporary House in Switzerland” in Stuttgart. A diverse program for young and old will be offered there until the end of October – With temporary thematic exhibitions, interactive installations and experiences that combine this innovative strength and leisure entertainment. For example, a virtual immersion in tourism in Switzerland with the flight simulator “Birdly”. This makes virtual reality tangible in a unique way. With the Birdley, developed by the Swiss company Somniacs of Zurich, people fly like a bird over the rooftops of Zurich. The movements of the arms act as a flapping of the wings and take you to great heights, the wind gently blowing on your face.
Not the wind, but the musical notes blowing towards you in “Mictic”. A “Mictic” is a wearable device that transforms movement into music and thus turns the body into a musical instrument. Roughly speaking, wearables are computer technologies that are worn on the body. Developed by a Zurich startup, “Mictic” is roughly the size of a wristwatch, analyzes movements using built-in sensors and translates them into sounds in real time. Once you’ve created the “Mictic” and connected it to your smartphone via Bluetooth, you can get started. The “rock jam sessions” take place on designated days in the temporary home in Switzerland.
Exercube and drones can be experienced at any time in the Pop-up House of Switzerland. The Exercube, also developed by a Zurich startup, is a cube-shaped fitness device that uses gameplay to encourage even those who don’t like sports to get moving and combines innovative software and hardware design with the latest training concepts. Exercube aims to be an e-athlete training device, fitness game and tournament platform in one. It is worth a try!
Guide the drone through obstacle courses
As one of the leading technology and innovation sites worldwide, the development of drones also plays an important role for Switzerland. They are used in agriculture, industrial inspection, mapping and humanitarian aid. At the pop-up house in Switzerland, visitors can pilot the Swiss Elios 2 drone – with which inspections can be carried out in confined spaces without direct visibility – and drive it through an obstacle course.
The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) is also represented at the “Pop-up House of Switzerland” – with the permanent exhibition “New Science of Robotics”. It is no coincidence that Swiss universities are leaders in robotics research. In the permanent exhibition, visitors can see and experience new perspectives on robotics. Exhibits are – in the truest sense of the word – always on the border between science and fine art.
At Pop-up House of Switzerland, innovation isn’t just an empty phrase – it’s another good reason to visit the whole family.
