Innovation
Articles on innovation in chronological order.
The technology leap - a taste of the future
Artificial intelligence. The words stimulate the imagination and creativity. What can a robot do? What can 3D technology do for us? How many care sector jobs will be replaced with welfare technology? And imagine what information this editorial might contain if it was written by a robot? This month the Nordic Labour Journal offers a taste of a future with new technology.
The modern industry worker: a new technology operator
“There’s no smoke, nobody seems to be around, what is it you’re doing?” A question often put by foreign visitors to the Director of Herøya Industrial Park. Change, improved efficiency and new technology has made an old industry competitive in the global market, and turned workers into knowledgeable operators.
Robot journalism pushes the boundaries for what’s possible
Robots are taking over tasks only humans used to master, like writing articles and taking pictures. They relentlessly gather information or photograph the same subject hundreds of times.
3D technology breakthrough pushing up product development tempo
3D printers have been in the spotlight for a long time. They represent technology which now looks like it is having its breakthrough. This is not only about printers becoming cheap enough to buy for private individuals. It is about a completely new production technology which represents the opposite of the way industries produce products today.
New production methods could revolutionise entire industries
Norwegian Thinfilm has just developed a revolutionary technology, printing electronics straight onto a plastic film at their plant in Swedish Linköping. It makes it possible to develop intelligent labels which can tell whether a product is being stored at the right temperature, and much more.
Board game injects creativity into medical technicians
There is growing interest in the way industrial designers work, and design ideas are entering into more and more areas. The ability to create processes, focus on customers and to think outside the box fuels the interest among big and small companies.
Life after Nokia also means new opportunities
Thousands of Nokia’s former employees have been forced to rethink their futures as the company sheds jobs. In Finland many of them hope to start their own business.
Everybody wants and app - but what for?
“Mobile telephone apps mean new ways of working as we’ll be able to access systems from anywhere and companies will start using mobiles more and more as a tool,” says Elin Lundström, managing director at app developer and IT company Decuria in Stockholm.
The IT revolution’s third wave
The development of smartphones is changing many people’s lives. Yet universal online access is only one part of the new IT revolution which will also have a big impact on working life. Smartphones and tablets became really powerful tools when Apple allowed anyone to develop the apps these devices run.
How about a personal trainer - for your brain?
The Nordic Labour Journal can now add another job to the list of new occupations: ‘personal brainer’. The title holder is Finnish Reidar Wasenius. He recently made a 20 years old dream come true and opened a training centre for brains - BRIIM Center - in Helsinki.
The future's bright for DNA mappers
Daniel Zakrisson was always interested in genetics. Not surprising, perhaps - he's an identical twin. He and his brother have taken part in twin studies since they were children. Now he runs a company offering to map your DNA.
Finland's new Aalto University: the entrepreneur factory
Finland's new Aalto University brings together young people who want to be entrepreneurs. Their backgrounds range from technology and economics to design. The exchange of ideas here can create a platform for a new company culture in Finland.
Innovation: More than just a good idea
European employment policy has, in recent years, turned more and more strongly towards innovation. For high cost countries, the continuous cost-cutting improvements of existing products, services and processes is no longer sufficient to maintain employment and income. On this, there is little disagreement.
The hunt for innovation knows no borders
Today, all countries are seeking the ultimate environment for innovation and creativity. The Nordic countries are looking to each other for help. In January this year the Nordic Innovation Centre, NICe, was established in Oslo. Financed by the Nordic Council of Ministers, its ambition is to make the Nordic countries leading innovators in Europe
Book in review: Karaoke Capitalism
We live in the time of individualism. Grab the microphone and express your unique personality. Welcome to Club Karaoke Capitalism, where talent, originality and/or money creates freedom of choice like never before. At least for some.
Co-operation and competition for success
Gnosjö is home to one of Sweden's most successful industrial regions and, paradoxically, also one with the lowest level of education.
Kongsberg: Working together for growth
By investing in networks, partnerships and closer co-operation between research and private industries, Norway intends to concentrate on growth and innovation over the next ten years. This initiative, entitled "Value Creation 2010", was launched at a conference in Kongsberg at the end of October.
Internet pop
In recent months, several books have been written about the IT industry by former pop musicians.
Is Volvo a car or a computer?
The Nordic countries are well advanced in the use of the new technology. Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden are at the forefront of Europe in terms of home PCs, Internet connections, and, not least, ownership of mobile telephones. But the lack of skilled labour can be an obstacle to continued rapid development, warn many experts.
Initiative to strengthen Nordic cooperation in the IT area
The Nordic countries cannot rest on their laurels just because they have had success with the new technology. If IT is to be accessible to all, a joint effort and cooperation between the Nordic countries is needed, says Lennart Daleus, leader of the Swedish Centre party and member of the European Committee of the Nordic Council.
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