Innovation is most powerful when it solves real human challenges.
What began as preparations for Exponor Chile 2026 has evolved into a meaningful collaboration between Australian mining innovator Swing Invent Holdings and Colombian non-profit organisation Humanos 3D, demonstrating how technology can create impact far beyond industry.
The connection was facilitated by Jes Schroeder, CEO of The Ideas Factory (TIF), an Australian-Colombian strategic marketing and business development consultancy that helps organisations build meaningful connections across Latin America.
As part of preparations for Exponor 2026 in Chile, Jes was working with Geoff Davis, Director of Swing Invent Holdings, to develop demonstrations of the company’s innovative SwingPedal technology for the Latin American mining market. Through TIF’s extensive network in Colombia, Geoff was introduced to Hugo Andrés Gómez, CEO and founder of Humanos 3D.
The connection quickly revealed a shared vision.
While Swing Invent Holdings focuses on improving operator health, safety, and wellbeing in mining and industrial environments, Humanos 3D has been transforming lives through the design and production of affordable 3D-printed prosthetics and assistive devices for people living with disabilities.
Founded in Colombia, Humanos 3D has become internationally recognised for using technology to create accessible solutions that restore mobility, independence, and confidence to people who need it most.
For Geoff Davis, the opportunity to collaborate was about more than technology.
“One of the things that attracted me to Humanos 3D was their focus on using innovation to create genuine human impact,” said Davis. “In our industry, we spend a lot of time talking about technology, productivity, and performance, but at the end of the day, it’s about improving people’s lives.”
The partnership will support the development of demonstration initiatives that showcase how innovation, engineering, and human-centred design can work together to solve practical challenges.
For Jes Schroeder, the collaboration reflects the power of bringing together organisations from different sectors to create unexpected opportunities.
“One of the things we love about working across Australia and Latin America is finding connections that might not otherwise happen,” said Schroeder. “Geoff’s passion for improving operator wellbeing and Hugo’s commitment to creating life-changing solutions through technology felt like a natural fit.”
The collaboration also highlights the growing relationship between Australia and Colombia, where innovation is increasingly being used to address both industrial and social challenges.
As Swing Invent Holdings continues to advance technologies that support operator health and performance, this partnership serves as a reminder that innovation is not only about improving how people work—it’s also about improving how people live.
Because when technology is designed with people at its centre, its impact extends far beyond the workplace.