12 Sep The Big Ideas to be developed at Essex Day of Innovation
The Day of Innovation comes to Essex next week, which will see leading creative minds and national and global companies come together to work on solutions to 13 big social and environmental questions.
The one day event, which takes place at Hanningfield Water Treatment Works on Tuesday 18 September, will build on the ideas and concepts introduced in 13 sprints at the NWG Innovation Festival in July.
The ideas that will be developed through a series of workshops, tech demos and presentations are –
Starting from scratch – How do you create the ‘perfect′ water company?
Sponsored by IBM, three ideas are being taken forward to create an ideal water company, including a self-sustaining home water works that will collect and re-use water in the home.
Going deeper underground – Can we build an underground map of the UK?
Utility companies and local authorities have worked with Ordnance Survey to develop a digital map of what’s under the ground – this will make digging holes safer and more efficient.
Smart Objectives – How can we improve customers′ lives by making the most of Smart technology?
Introducing Project Barnacle – an easy smart installation device that provides background water monitoring in the home, allowing us to identify and solve issues more efficiently.
Fans for life – How to build advocacy with our communities and customers
Six concepts to turn customers into fans have been developed, including a rewards app and ‘geo-fencing’ to engage with customers and get location-based, in the moment feedback
‘Testing the water′ – How can the use of Digital Twins improve our future?
Newcastle University have led the discussions on the use of Digital Twins – a cutting-edge approach that allows companies like NASA to test out and try their builds before sending them into space.
Moving on – What will the future of transport look like?
Exploring what the future of transport looks like for business and commuters, looking at clean air, vehicles and infrastructure.
Green planet – How can we become a carbon positive company?
Led by BT, exploring how large companies can use innovation to become carbon positive. One idea being taken forward is ‘Dog Bog’, improving our communities and environment whilst providing dried solids for our anaerobic digestion plants.
Smiling happy people power – How can we create a happier more productive work force?
Led by O2 – Creating a digital employee experience through a suite of apps that support people to improve their physical, mental and social wellbeing.
Building blocks – How can innovation and tech improve Design, Construction Operation and Maintenance?
Led by construction company Interserve, including a national database to enable modular design and build, and using ‘Digital Twins’ to test solution developments.
Vision of the future – How can we improve the lives of people who are visually impaired?
Concepts being worked on include ‘Travel Buddy’ -creating independent travel in airports and ‘See Me’ – an e-hailer bus stop system
Every drop counts – How and why do we need to save water?
Developing ideas including ‘Drop Swap’, a trading app allowing customers to save money as they save water.
Blue Planet: Teenager sprint – How can we reduce the impact of single use plastics?
Teams will be hitting the streets of Billericay to sign up local businesses to the Refill scheme, providing free tap water to people with reusable bottles.
2019 Year of Green Action: What can nature do for you and your business?
Involving small businesses and other organisations in partnership working to build green partnerships and a green procurement portal.
For more innovation on the Day of Innovation see www.innovationfestival.org/essex and follow #InnovationEssex on social media.
