Satellite technology competition winner...

24 October 2007, 5:37pm

Satellite technology competition winner takes the ‘old age home’ out of our old age

HBIC is pleased to announce the latest success story from this year 2007 UK SatNav Challenge, managed by HBIC – UK’s European Space Incubation Centre.

A record breaking year which saw over 250 ideas being submitted from across Europe and over 40% of these coming from the UK alone, this truly reinforces the entrepreneurial spirit we have for innovation in science and technology.

The 2007 UK Winner has developed a product around Home TeleCare called MobiAssist and it utilises the accuracy and safety of life service from the Global Navigation Satellite, Galileo, in parallel with Satellite Communications.

Home TeleCare is technology that enables people who might otherwise have to live in care to stay safely in their homes.

The technology uses methodology ranging from devices that provide a vital link to the emergency services, to home pathology kits that take regular readings of medical data to monitor the person’s well-being.

The programme, developed by Eric Goodyer, Principal Lecturer at De Montfort University Leicester’s School of Computing, beat over 100 submissions to represent the UK in Europe.

Speaking after receiving his award, Eric Goodyer said:

"I am delighted to be declared UK champion of the 2007 SatNav Challenge award, and to represent our country in this prestigious European competition.

This recognition will help us to transform Mobile Telecare into a reality, thereby helping thousands of older people to live the independent lives that we all take for granted.

The European Space Incubation Centre and its partners provide encouragement and support to all applicants. I would encourage anyone who has a great idea to enter the 2008 challenge."

Adam Tucker who manages the European programmes at the UK’s European Space Incubation Centre, said:

“I am extremely proud that we have established the UK SatNav Challenge across the whole of Great Britain.

It is with the continued support of our industrial partners and the backing of the government and regional development agencies, that we are able to encourage UK businesses, academia and research to present to us, such world class innovation, science and technology.

This is evident by the continued year on year growth of ideas being entered across Europe and especially in the UK since our involvement in 2005.

With over 40% of ideas presented this year coming from the UK, we are truly showing the presence we have for developing and the desire in commercialising our innovation, science and technology.

This is truly an exciting time for those who are driving forward applications, services, or technology that will encompass the capability of the global satellite navigation systems, telecommunications and GMES. The new markets will be vast and the demands endless.”

The UK competition was partly funded through the British National Space Centre. Director General David Williams said:

“I would like to offer my congratulations to Eric Goodyer of De Montfort University for winning the UK heat of the SatNav Challenge.

This is the third year BNSC has supported this competition and I am pleased to see that over this period the quality and quantity of proposals continues to increase. This reinforces the UK’s premier position in applications development and innovation.”

Eric received his award in front of over 400 international guests in the Munich Residence. It was presented by the former Director for Galileo Joint Undertaking, Rainer Grohe and Erwin Huber, Bavarian State Minister for Economic Affairs, Transport Infrastructure, and Technologies.

HBIC – European Space Incubation Centre (UK) and MobiAssist will be presenting at SYSTEMS International Trade Fair, at Messer Munchen International between Tuesday 22 to Friday 26 October.

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