AUT research gets funding go-ahead
Four AUT research projects have received funding from AUT Enterprises Ltd (AUTEL) to get their technology and ideas off the ground.
The Tech Jumpstart funding from the Unicom Consortium (AUT, Waikato, Victoria, Canterbury and Lincoln universities) aims to support proof-of-concept development for projects where uncertainty around technical and market feasibility is still high.
When AUTEL, based at AUT’s Manukau campus, advertised the funding they had 13 applications from AUT researchers and academics. Of those, four were selected to receive the $10,000 funding.
The criteria
CEO of AUTEL, Kevin Pryor, says the projects have to meet certain criteria in order to qualify. “It can be hard even to pass this initial hurdle,” he says.
AUTEL investigates Intellectual Property databases and makes checks on similar technology to ensure the project has unique and novel aspects
“We basically do the donkey work,” Pryor says. “We check IP databases around the world, trawl science and trade journals and talk to industry about the technology to get a better understanding of whether they would use it and pay for it and whether it’s novel.”
Research projects must have: novel intellectual property; market potential; a technology focus, for example, something that has the potential to change industry standards or platform technology that can be applied across different fields; interest from industry to take up the technology and apply it.
“It is proven that with these types of cases considerable progress can be made if a small amount of targeted investment is provided,” Pryor says.
The AUT researchers
The 2010 AUT projects which received Tech Jumpstart funding are:
* ROBOSPHERE - Professor Philip Sallis
Robosphere specifically relates to the monitoring and modeling of environmental data for viticulture, horticulture and agriculture. The project uses a wireless sensor network (WSN) instrument set that has been designed and built in the Geoinformatics Research Centre at AUT. This research will lead to the design and construction of an 'in field' remotely controlled all - terrain vehicle with the sensor instruments on board.
* TRACHEOSTOMY SHOWER GUARD DEVICE - Professor Ahmed al Jumaily
The Tracheostomy Shower Guard device provides a means for people with tracheostomy to safely (and unencumbered) shower and participate in non-immersion wet events. The inhalation of fluid particles is a great threat to the patient with tracheostomy bypass. The device prevents fluids from entering the airway by removing it from inhaled air at the same time as ensuring the patient can continue breathing.
* PROJECT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE - Professor Stephen MacDonell
Project management is a well-established area of practice supported by known standards, techniques and tools. However complicated projects do not lend themselves to the prescribed methods of management that work in other more stable or familiar circumstances. This software offers a toolset that will provide models and methods that take into account the characteristics of contemporary projects so that a project manager is better equipped to manage the project effectively – with much improved chances of success.
* VIRTUAL REALITY INNOVATIONS FOR REHABILITATION - Dr Gwyn Lewis
Stroke is the leading cause of disability in New Zealand adults. About 60% of stroke survivors will have some residual arm disability. Motivation to participate in rehabilitation regimes is a major barrier to recovery. This innovation is a component of a game-based virtual reality system designed to improve arm control in people with stroke. Virtual reality games can create fun rehabilitation environments that engage patients in their therapy and increase their motivation to participate.
More funding
In this funding round Prof Philip Sallis was successful with two separate applications but chose to give one lot of funding to another applicant in order to help spread the grants further. AUTEL is looking to offer more funding programmes in the future to support AUT researchers in progressing their research and technology development.