Passion. Hobby. Job. Lifestyle. This is how Nordic Inertial’s Vice President Business Development Jarmo Puputti describes his dedication to technology and developing the businesses around it.
Puputti has a wide scale of know-how when it comes to technology and businesses. While starting his studies in Helsinki University of Technology (today known as Aalto University) back in 1984, he aimed all his efforts into being capable of creating autonomous machines and understanding what they require.
- During my studies I got a job in the university’s automation technology laboratory, and from there, I became involved in a research project, where Finland attended a pre-EU, EU-funded mobile robotics research. It’s safe to say my background is strongly in autonomous navigation, Puputti says.
Now, among other things, he is developing sales at Nordic Inertial.
- In technology business Sales Development is very much aligned with Business Development. I have an active role in creating trust between Nordic Inertial and the customer, finding the key challenges that Nordic Inertial can solve for them.
From Project Manager to CEO
Puputti has a long and highly impressive resume, from Project Manager in a startup developing autonomous agricultural tractors, Automation Development Manager at Sandvik, Business Development roles at Metso Automation, Head of Business Unit in Nokian Tyres and Patria, to being the CEO at Raisio Group.
- In addition to my deep technical background, I have an MBA from Henley Business School, six executive board memberships, and I run the Digital Defense Ecosystem, of which Nordic Inertial is a member.
Sounds like you like to keep busy?
- I do like to keep busy; this is a lifestyle to be honest, Puputti says and smiles.
Groundbreaking Invention at Nordic Inertial
When Puputti met with Nordic Inertial’s CEO Jussi Collin, Collin told him that Nordic Inertial has a groundbreaking rotary sensor invention. Placing an Inertial navigation System into the wheel of a vehicle increases its accuracy with one or two magnitudes bringing it to the par with ten to hundred times more expensive systems.
- When Jussi explained Nordic Inertial’s invention, the only way to describe the level of my excitement was a full body shock wave. I soon realized this is a once-in-a-lifetime moment, I still get the chills when I think about that moment. I thought this is so cool, why hasn’t anyone thought about this before – and how fast can I get in on this, Puputti laughs.
- Another thing that I’m excited about, is revealing Collin’s Inertial Law to the public. Collin's Inertial Law predicts that inertial sensor precision improves by a factor of two every 5 years. Noise goes down, and we are able to predict when the target accuracy for upcoming applications will be available. This is something that Jussi Collin, the CEO, has figured out, highlighting the expertise Nordic Inertial is all about, he continues.
Hyper Growth at Technology Business
When Collin’s Inertial Law comes into effect, meaning the price of MEMS sensors goes down and accuracy grows, it leads to the same kind of phenomenon that the world saw in the semiconductor industry: hyper growth. There are a limitless amount of applications that need microchips or inertial sensors, but these applications have been highly cost sensitive.
- Technology improves, costs come down. This opens and creates new markets, Puputti explains.
- Thing is, you can’t use these sensors without algorithms, and the math that is required isn't exactly “1+1=2 math”. Globally, there are a limited number of people, who have the required mathematical skills, and the ability to apply it. Happy to say, Nordic Inertial is a home base for these rare mathematicians, he continues.
The required mathematics has been around from the mid-60’s. The required skill level experts are usually found in the defense equipment and positioning device industry.
- This is very similar to the hyper growth of AI. Many of the AI’s algorithms were developed already in the 80’s. Like in AI applications, in this technology, all these aspects now come to the same point in the timeline creating a fascinating future with endless possibilities.