Today we unfortunately had to leave Bilbao because of the upcoming Europa Cup Final. On our way to Gernika, we stopped by a company called Tekniker, who focus on developing prototypes for different groups. They are a non profit foundation that was started 44 years ago specializing in complex mechatronic solutions, with 303 people working for them. They collaborate with many different universities and companies to prototype their ideas, and then giving them a path to industry.
Within Tekniker, they have many different departments focused on different aspects of engineering, such as renewable energy, automation, robotics, infrastructure, and more. We mostly talked about their health department, and their different focuses. Within the department of health, they have 8 different focus groups, working on different projects, like the medical device group working on smart insulin pens, the biomarkers group working on identifying biomarkers for cancer and other diseases, and the pharma manufacturing group working on a machine that will create pills with the correct doses fast and easily.
We also had two student from the University of Cincinnati who are at Tekniker for a co-op rotation present the projects that they are working on, and the process that they went through to develop their devices. They both met with Hospital Gorliz, the one that we visited a few days ago, and the nurses and doctors there highlighted different issues that they have. With that information, they come up with different needs and restrictions that the device may have, checking with the medical professionals to make sure that they are correct. Once they have that information, they then look at what is currently on the market, and start prototyping ideas that might improve them. One student is working on a walker that is easier to use for those that might not have a lot of arm strength to lift the brakes or need more support on their arms. The other student is working on a device that will help patients to stand up, whether they’re sitting on a wheelchair or on the toilet, that takes up less space and doesn’t launch the patient.
After the presentations were finished, we then got the chance to tour their labs. Unfortunately, because they are working with different companies on these projects, we weren’t allowed to take pictures or share information on the projects. I will say that they collaborate a lot between the different departments when working, so they create teams that include people from all aspects of the project. The people within the teams can work on multiple different projects at once, but the team lead generally only focuses on their one project.
When testing really dangerous prototypes, they have a bunker that is lined with multiple feet on concrete, and they operate the devices from outside the bunker. They also have a lab that is specifically for prototyping only, with multiple 3D printers and a laser machine. Another interesting aspect about the company is that instead of offices, everyone works in the same room. They have a very long room, and each department is seated together. Even the CEO’s desk is in that room, and it’s meant to encourage questions, since you don’t have to go to someones office, you can just walk up to them.
After touring Tekniker, we then headed to the small town of Gernika. The reason that we had to leave Bilbao for the next few days is because of the Europa Cup Finals, which are being held in Bilbao, just outside the engineering building for the university. Once we got to Gernika, we quickly checked into the hotel, putting our suitcases away before we departed on a walking tour of the town, visiting all of the highlights.
We visited the Assembly Hall, which is a medieval building located in center of Gernika that is used nowadays for local counsel for the township of Gernika. The Spanish kings used to come to the assembly hall and bow under a tree, swearing to respect the laws, traditions, and independence of the Basque people when he was declared king. The tree the king bows under is an oak tree that also dates back to the medieval ages, although the original tree is now a stump, and there have been two new ones planted. The first replacement died when the town was bombed, and so they planted the third after the war. On our way to the Assembly Hall, we also passed by a replica of the famous Picasso painting, also labled Gernika. You may see Gernika spelled as Guernica, but that is because Gernika is the Basque spelling of the city name, and it’s the one that you will see written everywhere.
Gernika is so small, that when looking for places to have dinner, we walked in a circle after crossing only a few streets. We ended up getting pintxos from a restaurant that was right down the street of the hotel, and they were very good. We ended up going for a walk down the river, and we were able to experience a little bit more of the countryside outside of the town limits. We saw people working on their farms, and was able to experience nature a little bit more than we were able to previously in our trip. Overall, today we learned a lot, about both engineering and the history of the Basque people.
