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A 40-foot shipping container packed with robots and other cutting-edge technology is bringing the future to Franklin schools through Innovation Franklin’s new Mobile Innovation Lab.
Innovation Franklin and Auckland University of Technology (AUT) recently unveiled the lab in Pukekohe where guests had a sneak peek at student projects.
From the outside, the container might not look like much, but it’s designed to give local students hands-on experience with technology they may not otherwise be able to access.
Innovation Franklin chair, Mike Marr, says seeing the idea materialise is a milestone for the organisation.“We’re creating a powerful bridge, giving thousands of local students and the community the chance to see, touch and ask questions about emerging technology.”
The university is pleased to partner with Innovation Franklin for the initiative, AUT’s Professor Damon Salesa says.
“I know it’s only a couple of containers, but they will turn people’s eyes skyward. They will get people to look around and see opportunity
and that’s exactly the kind of thing we celebrate.”
Port Waikato MP Andrew Bayly also attended the launch. Creating opportunities for young people to put their ideas into action is important for New Zealand’s future, he contends.
“I think what we’re probably witnessing here, which we don’t see enough of, is a community coming together to make this happen.” The AUT partnership also includes the AUT Youth Shark Tank, a business competition for high school students across the region, which featured in our previous issue.
The mobile lab is part of Innovation Franklin’s long-term goal to establish a
permanent innovation campus where locals can access tertiary education, training and enterprise opportunities without leaving the region.
Soon enough, robots, drones and other futuristic technology will be playing a role in classrooms throughout Franklin
