Cumbrian innovation launch proves a big success
04 March 2013
On February 26 2013, business delegates, academics, industry specialists and local school children came together to attend the launch of Innovus at Energus in Lillyhall, Workington.
Students admire the Aquaball, an underwater robotics innovation.
Innovus is a new Cumbria based technology development programme focused on taking bright ideas in the field of technology and making them a commercial success. It receives funding through Britain’s Energy Coast and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, and plans to encourage and support innovative technologies in Cumbria.
The programme will offer access to world class facilities, funding, technical skills and business support through its key delivery partners, The University of Manchester and the National Nuclear Laboratory.
At the launch, teams of local school pupils were invited to take part in the ‘Innovus Challenge’, competing against one another to complete a series of 24 tough interactive challenges, specially organised for the day. There was a rare opportunity for pupils to get their hands on advanced technologies like the Brokk Simulator (constructing a virtual building) and Aquaball, an underwater robotics innovation.
Many of the challenges at the event were borne out of ideas from research students or businesses and have gone on to solve ‘real’ business issues and needs within the marketplace - Innovus aims to support innovations just like these. It also has long term aspirations and aims to encourage and support innovation among the young people of Cumbria, to ensure a long term pipeline of talent and opportunity.