The three finalists of the Prins Friso Ingenieursprijs were announced yesterday. Contenders are Maja Rudinac, founder of the Robot Robots Group, among others, Almer van der Stoel, director of CRUX Engineering and Eelco Bosse, owner of Machinefabriek Boessenkool.
On Monday 18 March 2019, the Royal Institute of Engineers (KIVI) is organising the Day of the Engineer at ASML in Veldhoven, during which the Prins Friso Ingenieursprijs will be awarded for the fifth time. With the award, KIVI wants to make excellent engineers and their work visible. These are the three finalists:
1. Dr Maja Rudinac (37) received her PhD from TU Delft's Biorobotics Lab. She led the Interactive Robotics group at the Delft Robotics Institute and launched the start-ups Robot Robots Company and Robot Care Systems. Rudinac won several innovation awards and is the driving force behind the service robot Lea. Lea (Lean Empowering Assistant) helps vulnerable people regain their freedom of movement and independence. The machine is full of sensors to facilitate walking and avoid obstacles.
2. Dr ir ing. Almer van der Stoel (47) is co-founder of CRUX Engineering, a leading consultancy in geotechnical engineering. He is also involved in the company High Five Solutions and the start-up Bambooder Biobased Fiber. Van der Stoel acts internationally as a geotechnical expert and teaches part-time at the structural engineering master's programme at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam. Van der Stoel is an expert in analysing and calculating such situations to avoid nasty surprises during construction.
3. Ing Eelco Osse (44) took over Machinefabriek Boessenkool from his father in 2005. In 2011, he started Osse Equipment Manufacturing Group, which brought more than eight innovations to the market as start-ups. Among other things, Osse won the 2018 Dutch Innovation Award. With his company, Osse Equipment Manufacturing Group, Osse mainly focuses on innovative machines that fit a sustainable society.
Prins Friso
Prince Friso's name has been attached to the The Engineer of the Year award since 2015. According to the Royal Institute of Engineers (KIVI), which organises the award, Friso's inspiring legacy gives the prize extra momentum and his name underlines the social importance of engineers. The award is for an engineer who stands out in terms of innovation, entrepreneurship, personality and social impact. In all these aspects, Prince Friso manifested himself, which makes it particularly fitting that his name is attached to the prize.
People can vote for the three nominees from now on. This can be done until 17 March.
Source: KIVI/De Ingenieur
