University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien

Type: Academia

Country: Austria

UASTW is the largest purely technical University of Applied Sciences in Austria, we run 19 Master’s and 12 Bachelor’s programs in Engineering, Computer Science, Electronics and Life Sciences of which the Competence Center “Sports Engineering, Biomechanics and Ergonomics” is part of.

From this competence center teaching in the relevant courses is organized. Most of these courses are given in the two Sports Engineering programs (1) Bachelor Human Factors and Sports Engineering, (2) Master Sports Technology. In these programs a total of approx. 160 students are enrolled (120 B, 40 M). As a University of Applied Sciences our main purpose is teaching, however, within the competence center industry and research projects are done as well.
UASTW is the only Austrian University offering programs in Sports Engineering / Sports Technology.

Sports Engineering Competences

The projects and research interests mainly focus on sports biomechanics, ergonomics and mechanical/functional testing of sports equipment and are done in cooperation with industry or sports federations.

We have two motion analysis / biomechanics labs with 3D-infrared motion capture facilities, IMU based motion capturing, force plates, pressure measuring devices (floor and insole) and different EMG-devices. Additionally, we are using sensors to acquire stress on sports equipment (e.g. strain gauges) and on athletes (e.g. a-sensors).

Aside from athlete-equipment interaction we are also researching the mechanical behavior of sports equipment. With an adaptable multi-purpose test bench for bending and torsional tests we can measure stress and bending properties of different equipment (from tennis-racket to snowboard or bike frames). Furthermore, we have a test machine for bicycle brakes measuring the relation between braking forces and hand forces.

Fellowship Opportunities

  • Vast possibilities of measurement methods

  • Laboratory and field studies

  • Embedded opportunities for collaborating with classical engineering disciplines (e.g. mechanical, electronics, computer science)

  • Possibilites for internships for students outside of Austria (academia, industry)

  • Possibilities for staff for industry or HEI exchange.

I2A, Fellowship, AcademiaSimon Choppin