Innovation  |  24 Sep 2024

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See a high-performance rally car, a remotely piloted and solar-powered aircraft, and an electric-powered tractor at the Innovation Expo.

Happening this Friday and Saturday, 27–28 September, at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, the Expo will bring together an exciting array of innovative exhibitors, alongside an engaging programme of speaking and panel sessions.

A Christchurch-born world-first is KiwiFibre, a material made from harakeke (flax) used for several body panels of a Hyundai Kona EV rally car, raced by Hayden Paddon (pictured).

“The front and back bumpers, as well as the roof, are made from KiwiFibre. It’s a lightweight and very durable natural carbon fibre material, made from harakeke specially grown in Canterbury,” says Christchurch City Council Innovation and Improvement Manager Michael Healy. 

“We’ll have the car on display alongside the Hyundai hydrogen generator that powers the car’s portable charging station, when going off the grid.”

Another technology duo is the Kea Atmos aircraft with an Archibalds Audi Electric Vehicle (EV).

“The EV assists the aircraft’s take-off, driving it along on its roof until it detaches to take flight,” says Mr Healy. “The solar-powered, remotely piloted aircraft then ascends into the stratosphere, with the job to capture high-resolution imagery. 

“The Mk1 aircraft being displayed has a 12.5-metre wingspan, but a 30-metre-winged model is in the works for Kea Atmos next year, which will have long flight endurance.”

Keeping the solar-powered theme going is Lincoln University, which has unveiled plans for a 4-hectare energy farm set to demonstrate how productive land can be optimised to grow high-value horticulture crops while generating commercial-scale solar energy.

“With the use of an electric tractor, Lincoln University endeavour to make the farm fossil fuel-free. Being exhibited at the Expo is the electric tractor they’ve sourced from the Netherlands – a Knegt 404G2E 55HP – the first of its kind in the country.”

The Expo’s Innovation Stage programme is another reason to head along says Mr Healy, with presentations on the new stadium, innovations in the construction industry, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Esports, sustainability, and climate resilience.

“There’s also a talk at 1.30pm on Saturday about fostering innovation in children through play and numerous family-friendly interactive experiences. We have the BookBots Adventure Challenge, an app-based Augmented Reality (AR) treasure hunt, which was a recent hit at Tūranga, as well as Aquabots – underwater robots – by Ministry of Inspiration, and Fantail Games, who are bringing their multi-player, Mixed Reality (MR) game experiences.”

The Innovation Expo is free to attend and runs 9am to 5pm on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 September at Te Pae. Register online for your free ticket and check out the Innovation Expo website for all the details.

Image 1 and 3 supplied by Hyundai/Paddon Rallysport, featuring Hayden Paddon
Links: KiwiFibre and Hyundai hydrogen generator

Image 2 supplied by Kea Aerospace, featuring Sam Walls
Links: Kea Aerospace and Archibalds