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ICT Geelong unveils plan to commercialise key technologies

Announcement posted by Infotech Marketing & Communications Pty Ltd 08 Aug 2013

Geelong aims to lead development of wearable sensor and computing technologies

Advocacy group ICT Geelong has announced plans to focus efforts on growing regional capability in wearable sensors and computing technologies. It will do so in a collaborative initiative between tertiary institutions, research and private organisations in the region, as well as industry experts from across Australia.

Wearable sensor and computing technology describes small wireless devices that can enable novel applications in the monitoring of human performance. Integrated sensor monitoring can enhance rehabilitation, disease management and athlete performance by measuring things such as movement (acceleration, location and distance) and vital signs (blood pressure, glucose and lactate).

ICT Geelong also sees the potential for the region to develop and commercialise the latest generation of virtual reality and simulation technology based on the expertise at Deakin University’s Centre for Intelligent Systems Research (CISR). CISR has already combined robotics, simulation and multi-point haptics (i.e. touch/sense) to create simulated environments for the defence, aerospace and health industries.

ICT Geelong’s manager Craig Hill said “not only do the two technologies represent the greatest potential return for commercialisation but they leverage the strengths of the Geelong region.”

In both cases the technologies are disruptive or innovative in the sense that they will help to create new markets and eventually go on to disrupt an existing market and thereby displace earlier technology.

“Disruptive technologies improve a product or service in ways that the market does not expect, typically first by designing for a different set of consumers in the new market and later by lowering prices in the existing market,” Mr. Hill explains.

Leading global technology forecasting agencies envisage significant growth potential in both wearable sensors and computing and virtual reality and simulation technologies in the next 5-10 years. Wearable sensors already point to many likely commercial markets including medical, health, well-being, sport, rehabilitation and defence applications.

Some 200 world class IT applications were assessed under criteria developed by ICT Geelong to determine those technologies with the greatest potential for commercialisation for Geelong.

Mr. Hill said research into wearable sensor technology in Geelong would complement the City now being home to the Australian Sports Technologies Network, thereby providing a potential route-to-market for these technologies.

About ICT Geelong

ICT Geelong is the representative voice and peak body for the information and communications technology (ICT) industry in the Geelong region. Its foundation members are industry leaders from the private sector, experts from tertiary education institutions and community leaders from the public sector. ICT Geelong’s vision is to establish the Geelong region as a major Victorian ICT precinct, and act as a significant player in the State Government’s vision to position Victoria as a globally recognised ICT region.