AUT Showcases Emerging Research and Technologies
Last week, AUT innovators took centre stage during Te Wiki Rangahau (Research Week 2025) with the highly anticipated AUT Innovation Showcase. The event celebrated the groundbreaking research and cutting-edge technologies emerging from the AUT community, attracting researchers, industry leaders, and curious minds to share new products and product ideas.
With more than 25 innovative projects the event offered a vibrant platform for researchers to showcase their “what if” ideas to an engaged audience.
A Showcase of Innovation
AUT Ventures, the university’s commercialisation and consulting arm, invited exhibition proposals that were both impactful and translatable, and AUT researchers rose to the challenge. Guests explored hands-on exhibits that made them think, wonder, and even (literally) taste the future.
Highlights included:
- EliteVu: AI-powered athlete monitoring technology that redefines training and performance management for team sports (Tanuj Wadhi | School of Sport & Recreation).
- Lupin Flour Crackers: Edible crackers made from lupin flour that blend sustainability with nutrition (Thao Le | School of Science).
- Wool Cocoon for Neurodivergent Children: A sensory management tool designed for children with sensory sensitivities (Yeaseo Li | School of Art & Design).
- Geospatial AI Solutions: Advanced mapping technology combining satellite imagery, UAV (drone) data, and LiDAR analysis (Graham Hinchliffe | School of Science).
- The Bread Collective: Empowering former refugees through education and the art of baking, achieving a 100% employment success rate (Robert Richardson | School of Hospitality & Tourism).
- Brain-Controlled Gaming: A revolutionary experiment to test focus and play a game using only your brain (Usman Shaikh | Institute of Biomedical Technologies).
An Evening of Interaction and Inspiration
Over 200 guests, including AUT staff, students, industry experts, and visitors, filled two floors of WZ, exploring samples, devices, and interactive displays. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as attendees moved between zones, testing innovations like edible products, AI systems, and health tech devices.
“The [Showcase] was outstanding and had a great vibe, with lots of energy, positivity, and conversations – it was a highlight of Research Week,” said Mark Orams, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research . “Successful events like this don’t happen without the hard work and enthusiasm of many, so I acknowledge everyone who contributed to this exciting foundation event.”
A particular highlight of the evening was the pitch session, where four later-stage projects took the stage to pitch their business. Each team captivated the audience with their vision for growth:
- Goodair® Nosebuds: Launched just a few weeks ago, now gaining momentum as a drug-free solution for nasal decongestion.
- Eccentric Fitness: Introducing a recumbent training bike to combat health issues tied to sedentary lifestyles.
- PreventS-MD®: A global leader in preventing lifestyle diseases like stroke, heart disease, and diabetes.
- Dot IngredientsTM: Transforming wood pulp into revolutionary emulsifiers and detergents for sustainable consumer products.
Looking to the Future
This was the first AUT Innovation Showcase in several years, and was a much bigger event than previously. The overall vibe of the evening was electric, with overwhelmingly positive feedback from both exhibitors and attendees. A mix of inspiration and collaboration filled the air, underscoring the event’s success in bringing the AUT community together to celebrate innovation.
If you’re inspired by this year’s event and want to be part of the next AUT Innovation Showcase in 2026, reach out to the AUT Ventures team at ventures.aut.ac.nz. Sign up for AUT Ventures’ quarterly newsletter to stay informed about future opportunities to share your own ideas and research.
We’re proudly demonstrating that AUT is innovative by nature and by reputation.