QinetiQ to help West Midlands firms develop advanced sensors
New fund telps businesses introduce sensor technology into their products
A multi-million pound investment fund to stimulate technical development of advanced sensors will be available from early next year.
Regional development agency Advantage West Midlands – which has investment funding of £10.5 million – has teamed up with QinetiQ, which has advanced sensors capability and know how. Together, they will help West Midlands-based companies develop sensor-based products, such as the 3D foot measurement device pictured.
Successful applicants will win access to Qinetiq’s R&D capabilities – which will help companies determine whether incorporating or improving sensor technology is appropriate for them. It will then work with companies to explore solutions for their products and processes.
Simon Bennett, managing director of QinetiQ’s commercial business, said: “Up to half a million pounds could be available to each successful business participating in the project in the form of both technical and business support. We will help businesses integrate sensors into innovative solutions that make a big difference in everyday life.”
The project has three stages. During stage one businesses receive help in qualifying their ideas and building specific propositions. Stage two focuses on proof of concept and technical development, then design, construction and testing of prototypes. Stage three is about the commercial exploitation of the ideas.
