Good science shouldn’t be held back by the cost of equipment 🔬
Yet for many research labs, the tools needed to analyse movement and physical function are too large, too slow and too expensive to justify.
That’s the problem Leah Xu, Te Bu and Jianan Liu solved 🙌
Their AI-powered treadmill system automatically tracks movement and monitors physiological function - all in a compact, affordable device that sits on a lab bench and runs in the background while researchers get on with their work.
✔️Functioning prototype
✔️AI-powered tracking built-in
✔️ Concept validated in practice
All achieved through Advanced Hackspace’s Hackstarter programme. Congratulations to the team for winning the 2026 Lab Automation Award!! 🥳
☝️ Read the full story in the link in bio.
#LabAutomation #ResearchTech #AI #Hackstarter #AdvancedHackspace Innovation
“Hackstarter enabled progression from an idea into a real, working prototype. Advanced Hackspace has given KPlus its first steps, and we hope one day to be able to give back.” - Stephanie Muggler, KPlus
We’ve read a lot of thank yous. This one is different. 🙌
Stephanie set out to solve something real. Millions of patients with chronic kidney disease, heart failure, or diabetes live with the constant risk of dangerously high potassium levels and until now, the only way to check was a machine bolted to the floor of a hospital. There was no reliable portable option, so she built one.
KPlus fits in the palm of your hand. It reads your blood potassium levels in real time, wherever you are. It means patients get answers instead of anxiety. It means chronic illness doesn’t have to mean living in the dark between appointments.
From an idea to a validated prototype in six weeks. Clinical trials are coming next. That’s what this programme is for.🔬💪
Check the link in bio to read the full story!
#KPlus #Hackstarter #ImperialCollege #MedTech #HealthTech WomenInSTEM Innovation HealthcareInnovation
A premature baby is struggling to breathe. Doctors have just 20-30 seconds to act ⌛
Yet in nearly half of all cases, the first attempt doesn’t succeed - not due to lack of skill, but because there’s no quick way to confirm the tube is in the right place.
That’s the problem NeoAir is solving 🙌
Created by Amy Lai, Anton Gerasimov, Harshad Malik and Hetarth Bhatt, NeoAir uses CO₂ detection to provide confirmation, so clinicians can act immediately and decisively.
✔️ Prototype tested
✔️ Concept validated
✔️ Built in 10 weeks through Advanced Hackspace’s ‘Hackstarter’ programme
Sometimes innovation is about reducing a key obstacle - uncertainty.
Congratulations to team #NeoAir for winning the 2026 Open Project Award.
☝️ To read this and other innovator success stories, see the link in bio.
#MedTech #HealthTech #NeonatalCare #Hackstarter AdvancedHackspace Innovation
How do you capture Hackstarter 2026? 🤔
🧠 The early-stage ideas steadily brought to life through long build sessions.
💥The constant questioning of “will this work?”, and the breakthrough moments when results finally validate theory!
🙌 The product development sessions leading up to the final presentations that are intense and rigorous, but also deeply rewarding.
Hackstarter provides a unique opportunity for innovation across disciplines, where the challenge of building from scratch is broken down into manageable steps through expert guidance. It’s less about having the perfect idea, and more about having the confidence to explore it within a supportive maker community.
📹 This video offers just a glimpse of the passion of our talented 2026 cohort, and the team of Hackfellows supporting them along the way.
Watch it and feel the energy! ⚡
#Hackstarter #ImperialHackspace #Innovation #StudentBuilders #MadeAtImperial #WhereIdeasTakeShape
Celebrating the winners of Hackstarter 2026! 🥳❤️
From improving neonatal care to tackling posture challenges, our top teams at @imperialcollege have created impactful, real-world solutions blending creativity with purpose.
A big thank you to our judges Dr. Elena Dieckmann, Ajit Panesar, and Eifion Nightingale for their support!
👉 Swipe to discover the winning ideas and teams
#Hackstarter #Innovation #Prototyping #ImperialCollegeLondon #TechForGood
🚀 It’s almost showtime!
The stage is set for the Hackstarter 2026 Final. Now all we need is YOU to bring the energy!
Go to our website to get the tickets!!
Join us as teams showcase the exciting ideas and prototypes they’ve been working on.
🕒 Doors open at 3:00 PM for refreshments plus the chance to explore posters and prototypes.
🎤 Welcome Address begins at 3:30 PM.
⭐ New this year: People’s Choice Poster Award
📍 The Invention Rooms (Door B), Stadium House, 68 Wood Lane. London W12 7TA
We can’t wait to share the incredible concepts our teams have been working on. See you there! 🎉
#Hackstarter2026 #Innovation #ImperialCollege #StartupIdeas #StudentInnovation LondonEvents
Meet Daniel - Here’s what he has to say about how Hackspace is supporting his product development journey!!🙌🏻
From live pitches and prototype demos to networking over refreshments, you can soon experience it in person! Join us on 12 March for the Hackstarter 2026 Final, where this year’s innovators will showcase their prototypes and pitch for follow-on support.
🎟️ Tickets are free and first-come-first-served.
Secure your seat today: https://lnkd.in/eF2nk5GQ
hashtag#Hackstarter2026 hashtag#Innovation hashtag#Prototyping hashtag#AdvancedHackspace hashtag#ImperialMade
Who will win Hackstarter 2026?
Find out in 7 days time! 👀
From live pitches and prototype demos to networking over refreshments, you can soon experience it in person! Join us on 12 March for the Hackstarter 2026 Final, where this year’s innovators will showcase their prototypes and pitch for follow-on support.
🎟️ Tickets are free and first-come-first-served.
Secure your seat today: https://lnkd.in/eF2nk5GQ
hashtag#Hackstarter2026 hashtag#Innovation hashtag#Prototyping hashtag#AdvancedHackspace hashtag#ImperialMade
Experience the 2026 event for yourself on 12 March!!
Tickets are free and first come first served.
To secure your seat head to / and tap the banner on the home page 💕
Swipe to take a tour of last year's Hackstarter final 👀.
Experience the 2026 event for yourself on 12 March!!
Tickets are free and first come first served.
To secure your seat head to / and tap the banner on the home page 💕
Tickets For The HackStarter 2026 Final Are LIVE! 🎟️🙌
After ten weeks of intensive prototyping development, our finalists will be pitching to a panel of judges to compete for a follow-on support package. 💡🔥
The afternoon kicks off with a poster exhibition and networking over refreshments, followed by a seated session where you’ll hear directly from this year’s cohort of innovators, discover their novel solutions and see their working prototypes in action!
🔗Secure your seat today. Go to:
imperialhackspace.com and click the banner.
FREE and first-come-first-served!
#HackStarter2026 #Prototyping #Innovation #MadeAtImperial #WhereIdeasTakeShape
Hackstarter Mid-Term Social 🥳
Pizza, drinks, familiar and new faces, and a room buzzing with fresh ideas at Advanced Hackspace!
Halfway through our ten-week journey, prototypes are coming to life, sparks are flying, and connections are turning into collaborations.
Last week was proof: Hackstarter isn’t just about ideas, it’s about making them happen.
And even better...this is just mid-term. The event Final is going to be next-level!!
#Hackstarter #AdvancedHackspace #PrototypeLife #InnovationInAction #MakersGonnaMake WhereIdeasTakeShape
