The eight consortium partners are:
Innora sa is a lab-based technology development company focused on advancing innovations in robotics (robotics, simulators, mechatronics, industrial design), embedded systems (data acquisition, embedded control, instrumentation, connectivity) and artificial intelligence (Machine learning, computer vision, cognitive control, human-machine interfaces) to commercialization readiness. Core competence skills include: CAx design & prototyping, embedded systems design, analogue/digital circuit design, software/firmware development, systems/process modelling, and advanced robotic control. Innora sa has achieved global recognition: more than 30 international projects delivered, more than 50 scientific papers published, and more than 5 global prizes awarded. Innora sa is ISO certified for Quality (9001:2008) and Information Security (27001:2005).
Fondazione Bruno Kessler-FBK (Italy), former ITC-irst, is a private non-profit research center working for the public interest. Established by a law of the Autonomous Province of Trento (Italy), FBK conducts research in the areas of Information Technology, Materials and Microsystems, Theoretical Physics, Mathematics, Historical Studies, Religious Sciences and Studies on the effectiveness of public policies. Other FBK activities include studies on behavioral economics and international politics.
The Materials and Microsystems Center (CMM) of FBK is composed of 125 senior and young researchers, post docs, PhD students and technicians and focuses research on key areas of materials and microsystems with the aim of pushing innovation through scientific excellence, maximizing practical impact and networked innovation. The CMM collaborates with industry, universities, and public and private laboratories in Italy and abroad for research projects and R&D activities. The CMM contributes to the micro and nanotechnology fields with its state of the art expertise in nano-on-micro approaches with applications in biomedicine, energy and environment, and sensors development. Briefly the following activities are represented: silicon quantum structures for photonics, plasmonics and organic solar cells; THz radiation sensors; gas sensors; nanostructured thin films, nanocomposites, nanolayers, nanoparticles for delivery and imaging; surface modifications for biosensing, materials and devices for molecular diagnostics. Simulation of processes of biological interest and of innovative materials is also undertaken.
Protolab is a SME with a decade of expertise in the system integration, starting from the design of both hardware and software, to the realization of complete solutions tailored to customer needs. Protolab aims at completing the process of industrial research towards the technology transfer from Sensor Interface definition to the design and the realization of the complete Sensing System Prototype. Experienced in developing SPR-based and electrochemical sensors, it combines the advantages of the nano-scale control of sensing element to the integration with analog/digital interface in smart and custom user-friendly systems. The large competences and deep skills of PL staff are able to answer to custom electronic and mechanical features and software demands. PL makes the most of embedded technology based system and brings the project from the concept idea to the design, the development and the realization of prototypes or small series.
Protolab philosophy is based on the use of open software and hardware architectures that integrate open and modular technologies, enabling a high level of flexibility and customization, in order to provide complete solutions starting from acquisition to data storage in database. Within the company, you can find equipment and personnel for the production of both digital and analogue electronic circuits, from drawing of logical scheme to the realization of the circuit board. Protolab follows all products development stages, including design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of complex electronic systems in the areas of local public transport, control access, integration of sensors. All this combined with the design and implementation capability of webbased software on traditional and mobile platforms, integrated and customized for the specific needs of customers and applications.
PKB builds on technological core competences within electronics, microelectronics, software technology, light, optics, vibration and sensor systems.
Signal Processing and Pattern Recognition software lies within the field of PKB's interest as well. We participate in a wide and solid range of R&D projects alongside universities and other knowledge institutions.
They work within internationally financed R&D projects. As such, a great deal of the technology development is carried out in contract based co-operations with their customers.
Specialising in the development of software associated with sensor technology. This software can be built into programmable processors as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). A background in design-for-testability is exploited to create powerful test benches for integrated circuits, generating in-depth test vectors to verify quality throughout the project, from design simulation to sample and production testing.
Recognition of the progress made by PKB was noticed and appreciated both nationally and internationally. One of Polkom’s employee’s was awarded a prize and title of NDT Trainee of the Year from the British NDT Institute in 2013. Furthermore, the Polish Ministry of Science has nominated Polkom for the prize of “Golden Brussels sprouts” for most active small enterprise within 7th Framework Programme. According to the Ministry of Science Polkom was within the top 10 enterprises in this category in the country.
Sensing Future Technologies Lda was founded in 2011 sustained by synergies from higher education school and the business world, which is represented in their partners. All promoters have experience in R&D projects, being one of them a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, and another promoter is the company Controlar which have a consolidated experience in the fields of industrial automation, testing and instrumentation, having been founded 19 years ago and is actually in an internationally expanding period through participation in companies EIIT and 3IT (Spain).
The company acts preferentially in healthcare and the promoters have won a national entrepreneurship contest.
Sensing Future Technologies Lda is dedicated mainly to the areas of Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy, through design, development and manufacture of medical devices with a high degree of innovation, functionality and applicability focusing mainly in instrumentation of several physical quantities (forces, angles, displacement, pressure, vibration, etc.) promoting biofeedback to the diagnosis and training of physical condition.
The company acts also in other health areas including prevention and health care for healthy people, through amongst others, the development of mobile and web applications.
Sensing Future Technologies Lda has experience and high level knowledge in instrumentation, automation, acquisition systems, data processing and database, supported by technicians with solid knowledge in the fields of Mechanical, Electrical and Computer Engineering. The team still has a high know-how in physical rehabilitation and biomechanics, due to the various projects in which it is involved.
The Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences in Surrey University covers the core engineering disciplines of aeronautical engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, electronic engineering and mechanical engineering alongside the specific disciplines of chemistry, computing, mathematics and physics.
Surrey have an outstanding reputation for excellence in research and teaching, a strong enterprise culture and an excellent record of graduate employment.
Their academics are well respected, both nationally and internationally, throughout academia and industry where links are strong. They believe that a university should contribute to the cultural wealth of society by developing the mainstay sciences, while enhancing the technology to improve the overall quality of life.
Through consistent investment stemming from our deep commitment to develop world-class, sustainable research programmes, the Faculty has built up an impressive infrastructure to support all its activities. The interdisciplinary nature of much of their work also encourages them to constantly explore new opportunities to cross boundaries, providing students with the prospect of accessing facilities which are truly world class.
Originally founded in 1921, London Prosthetic Centre is one of the largest rehabilitation service providers in the United Kingdom, specialising in the delivery of high quality Prosthetic and Orthotic patient care services to the UK Government National Health Service (NHS).
With approximately 120 clinical specialists and 200 technical staff, the company manages in excess of 200,000 Prosthetic and Orthotic patients per year, providing an extensive range of clinical expertise and product supply to ensure the highest levels of patient care.
RSLS have also pioneered the creation of “Centres of Excellence” in partnership with the largest Teaching Hospital within the UK National Health Service. In this environment, prosthetics, orthotics, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and wheelchair services are combined within one rehabilitation centre, delivering a seamless service which incorporates numerous aspects of rehabilitation care.
In addition to UK activities, the company also has a wealth of experience in managing overseas clinical care, particularly within the Middle East and regularly undertakes patient care clinical service visits. RSLS provides specialist visiting services in situations where local facilities require additional support or onsite training to strengthen their knowledge and expertise both from a clinical and manufacturing perspective. An example of these services may be seen through their partnership with Saudi Aramco in Dhahran where they have provided specialist visiting services for approximately 20 years. Additional projects undertaken have supported clients in Russia, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan and Kuwait.
The scope of their service experience has provided numerous benefits in the level of care offered, and has led to significant benefits to RSLS clients. These include the use of CAD/CAM technology, major improvements in fitting techniques and patient comfort, as well as cost effective service management through extensive training and education programmes and efficient product prescription and use.
To support clinical service activities, RSLS are also a major manufacturer and distributor of Prosthetic and Orthotic components and Assistive Technology systems, and deliver this extensive product range to their clients worldwide. They have key partnerships and are regular trading partners with a number of the most internationally respected and recognised companies including Seattle Systems, Freedom Innovations, College Park Industries, LTI, Hosmer and Silipos from the USA, and Medi, Bauerfeind, Otto Bock, Kraemer and Streifeneder from Germany.
RSLS operate internationally a network of 24 distributors enabling their services and products to be delivered throughout the world, supported by a team of clinicians who provide specialist local training and education to our clients on a regular basis. A subsidiary company SteeperUSA supports the US market directly where they also have a strategic partnership with Hanger Inc, the world’s largest supplier of prosthetic and orthotic clinical services with more than 700 facilities.
RSLS is currently registered to ISO standards 9001 - 2000 and 9002 - 2000 for products and services, and is also FDA registered and approved for prosthetic and orthotic component supply to the USA.
TWI is one of Europe’s foremost independent not-for-profit research and technology organisations, employing 740 scientists, technologists, administrative and support staff world-wide (540 in the UK and Europe).
TWI works across all industry sectors with expertise in key aspects of materials, materials joining, structural integrity, static and dynamic testing and Non Destructive Testing (NDT) and Non Destructive Evaluation (NDE).
TWI has a large fee paying industrial membership of around 3000 members from 65 countries centred mainly in energy related business sectors such as oil & gas, petrochemical, process plant, power generation and their support industries (e.g. pressure vessel and component manufacture and fabrication) and also in the transportation industry sector of aerospace/air-transport, marine/shipping, rail and automotive and their support manufacturing and maintenance organisations.
The majority of TWI’s activities (65%) are contract research, funded by industry and built around the development of advanced technologies. TWI is also an active participant in collaborative research programmes in Europe and the UK.