MSV 2025: Two tens of technologies from BUT and Professor Pochylý with an award for lifetime contribution to engineering

International Engineering Fair (MSV) has completed another successful edition. Among 1,356 exhibitors, the Brno University of Technology also stood out, offering more than twenty exhibits. Highlights included a robot inspired by Star Wars, a wing with variable shape, and a labyrinth seal for the upcoming space mission BrnoSAT. Technologies from BUT were also seen within the prestigious Czech National Exposition. The university was also represented in the fair awards – for a lifetime contribution to engineering, František Pochylý, an expert in water machines and a BUT professor, was honored.

Pawo robot, inspired by the Star Wars film series, at the International Industrial Fair with its creator Stanislav Věchet from FME BUT. | Author: Václav Koníček

At this year's 66th edition of MSV, BTU presented a total of 22 exhibits from two faculties – the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering BUT (FME BUT), the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication BUT (FEEC BUT), and the university institute CEITEC BUT.

There was great interest in a small robot with great educational potential. It is a 70-centimeter tall and 6-kilogram heavy robot named Pawo, whose development was inspired by the droid BDX from the Star Wars film series. It is a walking robot that can jump, dance, and perform entertaining social interactions. Unlike media-famous counterparts, Pawo is financially more accessible. “It is an example of so-called off-the-shelf robotics – made using commonly available parts and 3D printing, making it a unique platform for education in robotics. It allows students to explore principles of balance, coordination, and adaptive behavior while walking in real environments. The project connects educational activities with current scientific trends,” emphasized the robot's creator Stanislav Věchet from the Laboratory of Bioinspired Robotics at FME BUT.

Lifetime Achievement Award in Engineering to Professor Pochylý

This year, the lifetime achievement award in the development of Czechoslovak engineering was received by Prof. František Pochylý from the Energy Institute of FME BUT. He personally accepted the award (CZ only) at the gala evening of MSV. It was precisely this technical innovations showcase that captivated him as a boy and guided him towards studying technical fields. Among other achievements, in 1999 he introduced a revolutionary idea leading to a new type of so-called vortex turbine.

The three-year research project BAANG, in which BUT cooperated with three top European universities, was represented at the fair by a demonstration of a morphing wing. It utilizes unique properties of artificially created metamaterials forming its internal structure. It mimics how birds naturally adjust wing shape in flight, taking advantage of the lightweight hollow bone structure. Smooth morphing – changing the wing’s shape – offers the possibility to reduce aerodynamic drag and thus fuel consumption.

Morphing wing – the result of cooperation of FME BUT with three leading European universities. | Author: Václav Koníček

Specialists in tribology (the field focused on friction, wear, and lubrication, editor’s note) from the Institute of Machine and Industrial Design at FME BUT prepared a space technology demonstration for BUT booth visitors. At MSV, they presented research on labyrinth seals, which help reduce lubricant leakage from mechanisms under extreme space conditions. This is one of two experiments selected for the upcoming experimental satellite BrnoSAT (CZ only).

The labyrinth seal is being prepared for the upcoming BrnoSAT space mission. | Author: Václav Koníček

BUT Part of Prestigious Czech National Exposition

The Czech National Exposition (CZ only) in Pavilion P at MSV featured 13 state institutions led by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Part of the exposition was FEEC BUT technology for smart load measurement and control in energy networks, Smartbox, which allows conversion of already deployed electricity meters into smart devices ensuring cybersecurity and connectivity within 5G+ infrastructure. Also showcased were two student teams from BUT – YSpace and Brno Mars Rover. Visitors could also view a panel exhibition showcasing sustainable technology development at BUT.

The Czech national exhibition presented the Freya autonomous vehicle for a mission to Mars, with which students from BUT made it to the finals of an elite European robotics competition this year. | Author: Václav Koníček

A Falcon drone developed by FEEC BUT scientists as part of a project focused on developing swarm drone and robot systems controlled by AI algorithms was also displayed, as well as robotic applications for industrial production from the same faculty – including a teaching robotic cell Fanuc for sorting parts and an autonomous production cell for simulating real industrial production.

The result of cooperation between the Institute of Automotive Engineering FME BUT and Škoda Auto was visible on a blue Fabia, equipped with a special spoiler on the rear edge of the roof structure. The active air flow control system, protected by a patent application, aims to reduce aerodynamic drag of hatchback and combi vehicles, lowering energy consumption.

The active flow control system can reduce aerodynamic drag and thus fuel consumption. | Author: Václav Koníček

Among the exhibits was also the Dragon e5 electric formula car from the university team TU Brno Racing and an experimental device for controlling artificial human vocal cords, exceptional in that it can operate with artificial silicone vocal cords as if placed in a human larynx to achieve natural voice sounds.

FEEC BUT Experts Discussed the Future of Smart Cities

Representatives from FEEC BUT management and faculty institutes of telecommunications, radio electronics, and electrical power engineering took part in a debate at MSV on the concept of smart cities and deployment of modern technologies based on 5G+ and future 6G networks. Partners from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, BVV LivingLab, Brno Technical Networks, Brno Heating Plants, and others also participated.
The discussion related to the planned involvement of FEEC BUT in testing new technologies for urban infrastructure within the BVV Living Lab live laboratory. This new platform will offer a unique test area equipped with 5G and MESH networks, designed primarily for projects and applications involving IoT devices. “We look forward to FEEC BUT’s involvement in BVV Living Lab activities contributing to the further development of this independent innovation ecosystem. Our researchers stand ready to help develop products and services utilizing modern communication technologies and help shape the smart future of Brno,” said Jaroslav Koton, Vice-Dean for Creative Activity at FEEC BUT.

The nstitute of Machine and Industrial Design FME BUT presented an additively manufactured heat exchanger with a structured core, whose design originates from a thesis. A major advantage is the simplicity of assembly, where one component replaces 40 parts of the soldered variant.

The additively manufactured heat exchanger with a structured core simplifies installation, among other things. | Author: Václav Koníček

CEITEC BUT also showcased top technologies at the exposition – In-situ BOX for computed tomography enabling scanning of various material types in high resolution during thermal and electrical loading; portable miniFly spectrometer, useful for rapid sorting of metal waste or online detection of toxic elements; and a CT scanning device which, thanks to precise layer analysis, helps reveal the smallest defects, cracks, or irregularities inside materials and products.