From 12 to 15 March 2025, ITQ GmbH invited 986 technology enthusiasts from all over the world to the SMART GREEN ISLAND MAKEATHON on Gran Canaria in cooperation with Dr. Stetter ITQ S.L.U. from the Canary Islands. The MAKEATHON is ITQ GmbH’s international Innovation Festival with the aim of getting young people excited about technology and promoting innovative ideas on the topics of Digitalisation and Sustainability (Smart & Green). While 546 young Talents and Representatives of renowned Sponsors worked on solutions for Sustainable Logistics, Recycling Processes, Smart Mobility and Smart Farming, among other things, 440 children and young people from Spanish educational Institutions were able to demonstrate their skills in Technology Workshops. The SMART GREEN ISLAND MAKEATHON strengthens the technical skills of all generations for a Sustainable Future and brings Young Talents together with companies. In this way, it helps to combat the existing shortage of Skilled Labour and facilitate new Training Concepts.
The SMART GREEN ISLAND MAKEATHON brought together 546 participants from 36 nations to work on Industry Challenges in the fields of Smart Automation, Green Logistics, AI and Circular Economy. They developed sustainable solutions such as Plastic-Free Packaging made from banana fibres, PET Recycling for Industry, modular water measurement systems and autonomous driving concepts for waste disposal logistics.
Impressions of the SMART GREEN ISLAND MAKEATHON 2025
In the MVTec Challenge “Automated Waste Detection“, the Teams developed a solution for automated waste detection and removal. Among other things, a robotic vehicle was equipped with a USB camera for object recognition and infrared sensors for obstacle detection. In addition, a scoop for picking up waste was designed using a CAD model and realised in several prototype stages up to the final design.
The Murrelektronik Team developed an automated process for recycling PET bottles. The plastic was shredded. The resulting granulate was used to overmould electronic components. Robotics and mechatronics automated the process to enable an efficient Circular Economy. A digital product passport helped to trace the recycled materials.
The igus Challenge was all about an automated “Smart Green House“. The Team developed a system that uses a ReBeL Cobot and image processing programmes to recognise the ripeness of fruit. Controlled by software, the concept showed potential for sustainable vertical farming with a low carbon footprint. A 3D/AR demo brought the solution to life.
In order to encourage enthusiasm for Technology as early as possible, the MAKEATHON also offered a comprehensive programme for children and young people. More than 440 schoolchildren were able to strengthen their knowledge and enthusiasm for technology during this week and take part in 23 Technology Workshops, including robot programming and Minecraft Education. Solar Boats, Cleaning Robots, Hydroponic Systems and Demonstrators from the EU-funded Research Project “EduDemoS“ for renewable energies from wind, solar and water were also built. The workshops were organised by the Gerda Stetter Foundation “Technik macht Spaß!“, the Canary Islands Foundation Fundación Sergio Alonso and German-speaking Universities.
Short Impression Movie of the SMART GREEN ISLAND MAKEATHON 2025
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Special thanks go to the 24 national and international Sponsors, above all the Platinum-Sponsors: Government of Gran Canaria (Cabildo de Gran Canaria), MVTec, Murrelektronik and igus. Gold Sponsors: Gobierno de Canarias, Fundación Sergio Alonso, OPTIMA, Vishay, Krones, Lorenz, MEILLER-Kipper. Silver Sponsors: SPEGC, IES El Rincón, MathWorks, Fraunhofer-Institut für Arbeitswirtschaft und Organisation IAO and VDMA.