VAUDE Sport GmbH

As a sustainable innovative outdoor outfitter, VAUDE is contributing to making the world a better place so that the people of tomorrow can enjoy nature with a clean conscience. VAUDE is a midsize company with ca. 550 employees working at VAUDE in Tettnang. The business segments/areas of use are Mountain Sports, Bike Sports and Packs ‘n Bags / Urban. VAUDE creates products for all-mountain athletes. Product range comprises functional apparel, backpacks, tents, sleeping bags and footwears as well as functional apparel and gear for children.

In 2014 VAUDE started to establish a product innovation team (i-team) focused on mid and long-term projects which comprises research in sustainable materials and manufacturing technologies as well as functional ergonomics focused on mechanical and thermal comfort (covering biomechanics, Thermophysiology and a “little bit of aerodynamics”).

Currently, the i-team comprises five permanent and one temporary position (2 experts for textile materials; 1 expert for non-textile materials [e.g. plastics]; 1 expert in thermophysiology; 1 expert in biomechanics). Moreover, the i-team works together with master students in terms of internships as well as master theses all-the-year. Since the beginning the i-team cooperates with academia (e.g. TU Chemnitz and Technikum Vienna) and industry to realize research and innovation projects.

Sports Engineering Competences

At Vaude we have one textile laboratory to characterize textile materials according to national/international standards as well as Vaude specific requirements (based on the Vaude material policy -> Green Shape seal of approval).

In addition, we are set up a ”i-lab-corner” to conduct internal test/studies in the field of biomechanics and thermophysiology. Regarding thermophysiology, we investigate the thermal comfort of functional clothing systems and backpacks during cycling and walking using temperature and humidity sensors (MSR). Biomechanical studies are focused on mechanical comfort of backpacks and footwear. We work with a pressure distribution system (Tactilus) to determine the contact pressure between trunk and backpack. We use acceleration sensors to estimate backpack wobbling during cycling (Menios) as an indicator for “backpack stability”. Moreover, we have a force plate (AMTI). Footwear research is focused on longitudinal bending stiffness in cycling as well as hiking/trekking footwear regarding both dynamic material and athlete laboratory and field testing. Basically, for most of the test applications, currently, we try to develop specific but simple test scenarios.

Fellowship Opportunities

  • We have an expertise in sustainable/ecological materials and manufacturing technologies

  • We have (limited) opportunities for internal biomechanical and thermophysiological tests/studies

  • We have already experience with supervision of students in regards to internships, temporary positions and mentoring/supervision of bachelor and master these (related to sports engineering/technology)

A2I, Fellowship, IndustrySimon Choppin