The PDP student project with Vaisala: Curiosity that drives innovation

In the fast-changing world of technology and industry, staying ahead means always innovating. At Vaisala, we live out this idea through our active role in Aalto University’s Product Development Project (PDP), which we have done for the past 16 years. This partnership with students from various backgrounds isn’t just about solving tough problems — it’s about sparking a culture of curiosity and innovation.

Our journey with PDP began over a decade ago. We’ve tackled many projects and pushed the boundaries of what's possible.

Sauli Laitinen, Head of Design and the Vaisala project mentor, said “We have been creating new product designs and developing robotics to transforming the calibration of industrial tools, our projects have consistently pushed the limits of what’s possible.”

“More than addressing the immediate challenges, which are also great learning opportunities, we seize the chance to work with the bright minds of tomorrow who might join us one day,” he added.

“This year’s PDP project focuses on Vaisala’s HVAC products,” explains Noe Anttonen, the Vaisala Project Manager. “These products typically monitor the air quality and the temperature in critical industrial settings impacting for example the energy usage. The project team is working on making their installation and maintenance easier.”

This project kicked off two months ago, with a multidisciplinary team of 7 students from Aalto University, 4 from a university in Portugal, and 3 of our own Vaisala employees.

The team is diving deep into understanding the product, a key step in the “double diamond” process of problem-solving and innovation. The double diamond process is a structured way to innovate. It involves exploring the problem space, finding opportunities, and then narrowing down to the real problem before creating solutions.

“This method ensures the team not only tackles the symptoms but also gets to the root of the challenge, paving the way for effective and sustainable solutions,” says Noe.

As we move forward, biweekly meetings have been scheduled to ensure continuous support and guidance for the student team.

“Our commitment to this project is strong: We believe the insights and solutions developed here will benefit both Vaisala and the industries we serve as well as the students in advancing in their studies,” said Noe.

“Vaisala’s involvement in the PDP shows our dedication to innovation and teamwork. By nurturing curiosity and creativity, we’re not just solving today’s problems. We’re also energizing and inspiring people and shaping the future of product development,” concluded Sauli.