HAMK’s Smart Sleeves Received the 2026 Hyvon Award

Smart sleeves developed at Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) have received the 2026 Hyvon Award granted by the KAUTE Foundation. The sleeves have been developed as part of the Smart Wearables for Team Strengthening project, which focuses on further developing two smart sleeves for esports and exploring their use in the defence sector. The aim of the smart sleeves is to support teamwork and performance.

The award criteria highlighted the innovation’s scalability, research-based foundation, ability to promote sustainable renewal in business and society, and its significance for the Finnish textile industry.

The recipient of the award was selected by the Advisory Board of the Karjalainen Fund, consisting of industry professionals. The board described the smart sleeve as:

“An excellent example of bold development work combining the new possibilities brought by technology with traditional textile and design expertise. Adding intelligence to textile products increases their added value and pushes the Finnish textile and fashion industry toward the global forefront. The product has also found an interesting new user group, and its dual-use potential creates new business opportunities for commercialising the innovation.”

The development work has been led by Principal Research Scientist and Adjunct Professor Satu Jumisko-Pyykkö. She believes that strengthening human interaction and a sense of belonging is increasingly important in today’s individualistic society.

“Users have described how meaningful it feels when a teammate sends a virtual encouraging touch. The smart sleeve strengthens human connection and the sharing of positive emotions while integrating technology naturally into team interaction.”

The recognition came as a surprise to Jumisko-Pyykkö.

“It is wonderful to see the changing nature of textiles being recognised. Intelligence embedded in textiles makes them part of a wider system, and design itself is also evolving. We are very happy to receive this award.”

The award was presented on 21 May 2026 at the spring seminar of Finnish Textile & Fashion in Helsinki. CEO Marja-Liisa Permikangas commented on the award recipient:

“The smart sleeve is an excellent example of how the Finnish textile and fashion industry is evolving by combining high-level technological expertise with a strong tradition of materials and design. Solutions like this increase the industry’s added value, open new international markets, and strengthen Finland’s position as a developer of innovative textiles.”

The Hyvon Award is granted annually from the Laura and Aarne Karjalainen Special Fund of the KAUTE Foundation. The €5,000 recognition award is presented to an innovation that renews the textile industry.

KAUTE Foundation

Smart Wearables for Team Strengthening project