On 21 October 2026, the Martin Krpan pilot station, developed by the SLOfit research team and co-funded through the SmartCHANGE project, made its public debut at the Arena of Technology event at the Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre.
Arena of Technology is one of Slovenia’s flagship science and innovation events, bringing together companies and research institutions from across the country to showcase the latest in technology, creativity, and research. This year, more than 4,700 primary and secondary school students and their teachers registered to attend, exploring everything from robotic arms and quantum technologies to artificial intelligence and modern energy systems. Overall, more than 50 organisations took part in the event.
Among the interactive experiences was the pilot station “Martin Krpan — Test How Strong You Are”, which stands out for one simple reason: it doesn’t ask visitors to sit still and watch. Drawing on the Slovenian folk hero known for his extraordinary strength, the experience combines physical challenges, storytelling, and active decision-making into an engaging encounter with technology. Visitors are invited to move, participate, and interact, demonstrating that digital tools can encourage physical activity rather than replace it.
The presentation at Arena of Technology also served as a real-life testing opportunity, allowing the SLOfit team to collect visitor feedback that will inform the station’s further development.
Martin Krpan’s participation in the event is also closely aligned with the goals of the SmartCHANGE project, which explores how modern technologies, data, and personalised approaches can support healthier behaviours among children and adolescents. The pilot station offers a glimpse of what that can look like in practice: technology not as something we passively consume, but as a tool for creating more active, engaging, and people-centred experiences.
That same philosophy is at the heart of HappyPlant, our mobile app for children and families, where every healthy choice helps a virtual plant grow.