2022-05-18
Last updated: 2022-05-24 09:38
- "We aim to be the bridge between people and technology," says LumeoTech co-founder Leo Wu.
It is now clear that LumeoTech has been accepted into the ESA-BIC space incubator, which Innovatum Science Park in Trollhättan is helping to run. Now a 15-month space adventure awaits the startup, with half a million SEK in development capital and access to contact networks and expertise in the space sector.
- We see great potential in LumeoTech! The team has managed to attract a number of major players from the space industry, which verifies the need for this technology. Their advisory board includes Tina Sjögren from Phytom Space, says Eivind Vogel-Rödin, Incubator Manager at Innovatum Science Park.
- The hope is that during the incubation period we will learn more about the needs of astronauts and those who build spaceships, suits and stations. It will be super exciting to work together to develop working products," says Leo.
LumeoTech's attachment modules take the form of small round buttons, which with a simple push can be attached to fabric by gripping a thin steel wire around the fibers and creating a temporary stitch. The technology can be attached to the back of everything from cameras and flashlights to health sensors and personal alarms.
By positioning itself as a key ingredient that other companies can integrate into their products, LumeoTech's possibilities are endless.
LumeoTech has already completed a project with NASA and collaboration has been established with players in the US focusing on "smart textiles" with fibers that conduct electricity, spacesuits with health sensors, stimulation and padding, and inflatable space bases with "smart" fabric walls.
- As the steel wires in our mounts can conduct electrical signals, they act as an interface between the sensors and the smart textiles. You could put a control unit directly on the wall of the space base, where it can also be charged and communicate via the textile. It works the same way with astronauts' spacesuits. The sensors can be easily moved around as needed, instead of being customized and sewn onto each suit, increasing freedom and reducing costs.
The time in the ESA-BIC program will also be used to finalize a new technology that can be attached directly to the skin. The inspiration comes from a conversation with astronaut Christer Fuglesang, who told us how uncomfortable it is to have sensors attached to your body and be connected to machines.
- Instead, imagine a sensor that you can just stick on your skin, anywhere you want, without tape or wires. You don't need to be connected to a stationary machine, but the sensor keeps track of your health around the clock," says Leo.
In parallel to the space adventure, LumeoTech will continue to work towards sectors on Earth, focusing on security, sports and medtech. Over 60 companies have already signed up.
- Everything we do in the space sector, from smart textiles to skin attachments, can be applied directly on Earth too. After all, astronauts are athletes, but in a completely different environment. If we can say the technology is good enough for space, it's probably good enough for your run," says Leo.
| LumeoTech was founded in 2017. The core team consists of Leo Wu as CEO and innovator, John Holmgren on business development, William Gilså on product development, Malin Lankinen on marketing and Liv Liu on procurement. In 2017, LumeoTech launched a consumer product to protect mobile phones and wallets from theft. They sold 45,000 units in six months, but piracy put an end to the success story. In 2019, the company made a comeback with today's LumeoLoop™ attachment technology, a new patent and new business model where the technology can be integrated into other companies' products. LumeoTech has previously received support from Lead Incubator, Chalmers Ventures and Sony Startup Accelerator. In May 2022, LumeoTech was admitted to the ESA-BIC space incubator at Innovatum Science Park in Trollhättan. |
