果冻影院

The 果冻影院 Festival of Engineering, held from 15 to 20 July, celebrated 150 years of engineering excellence with an impressive array of events and activities.听听

The festival launched with the 果冻影院 Industry Exchange Network (IXN) Conference on Monday 15 July, which set the stage for a week of innovation and discovery.听

IXN Conference and Festival launch听

The IXN Conference started with a welcome and overview by Professors Dean Mohamedally and Graham Roberts, followed by a series of presentations highlighting IXN programmes for health and humanity.听听

Esteemed speakers from partner universities and leading tech firms, including Microsoft, IBM and Intel, explained the benefits of the IXN programme. They praised the focus on tech for good and the collaboration between academia and industry.

Following the conference, the Festival of Engineering was officially launched with speeches from 果冻影院 Provost Dr Michael Spence, Dean of Engineering Professor Nigel Titchener-Hooker, and Vice Dean for Impact Professor Clare Elwell.听听

Attendees had the opportunity to explore an exhibit showcasing 果冻影院 Engineering鈥檚 innovative projects, including 果冻影院 Storyscape, an augmented reality app that provides a campus tour featuring 10 geo-located points of interest with interactive 3D models, audio guides and interviews.听

GDI Hub events and school activities听

On Tuesday 16 July, the festival featured activities focused on 果冻影院 East and schools.

The GDI Hub presented "The Evolution of Assistive Tech" exhibition at 果冻影院 East Marshgate. This exhibition explored the history and advancements in assistive technology, from medieval times to the digital revolution, highlighting innovations in augmented reality, artificial intelligence, accessible gaming, and brain-computer interaction. The exhibition was organised as part of the EPSRC-funded IPACT project led by Dr Maryam Bandukda and Professor Cathy Holloway.

In the evening, GDI Hub CEO Iain McKinnon delivered an inspiring talk on the role of inclusive design in engineering. He discussed how designing with inclusivity in mind can shape the future of technology and contribute to building a more equitable society.

The day also saw school children given tours of the Robotics and Autonomous Systems lab at One Pool Street, where they experienced intriguing demonstrations of various robots, robotic arms and hands, and robot dogs.

Interactive demonstrations听

Throughout the festival, 果冻影院 Computer Science hosted several interactive demonstrations, providing hands-on experiences with emerging technologies. Highlights included:听

• Tactile Skins and Soft Robotics: Demonstrations of artificial electronic skins and soft robotic devices, showcasing the potential for new types of human-computer interaction.听
• Digital Smell Technologies: Showcase of Smell Care & OWidgets, innovative solutions for incorporating scent into digital experiences.听
• MotionInput: A fun and engaging demo using pioneering touchless computing software, featuring kids' sports games, Angry Birds and Tetris.听
• Quantum Computing: Visual presentations of mathematical and statistical models, offering insights into the complexities and future possibilities of quantum technology.听
• AcoustoFab: A fascinating demo exploring acoustic levitation, along with biomedical applications of this cutting-edge technology.听

Mixed Reality in industry听

A standout event was the session on "How is Mixed Reality Changing Industry?" held on Thursday 18 July. This event featured Professor Anthony Steed, Head of the Virtual Environments and Computer Graphics Research Group, alongside Jeremy Dalton, Head of Immersive Technologies at PwC and author of "Reality Check". The duo delved into the transformative impact of mixed reality technologies across various industries.听

Responsible AI fringe event

In addition, 果冻影院 Computer Science hosted a fringe event on Wednesday 17 July, titled "What Does Responsible AI Mean to You and How Can We Achieve It?" This event brought together experts from across 果冻影院, other听universities and industry to discuss the ethical implications and challenges posed by AI technologies.听

Commenting on the success of Computer Science's contribution, Head of Department, Professor Steve Hailes, said: "I was incredibly proud to see the department showcase some impressive work at this year's Festival of Engineering. This was a truly remarkable event, and we were delighted to have contributed in such a comprehensive and impactful way. Events like these inspire our students, engage the public and strengthen our collaborations with industry, highlighting the influence听computer science has on the future of society.鈥澨�