Ground-breaking Augmented Reality Communications spin-out recruits as it prepares to go to market
A NEW Edinburgh Napier spin-out business is expanding as it seeks to market a product which brings real-world objects to life in mobile devices.
3FINERY uses ground-breaking Augmented Reality (AR) technology which can boost customer engagement with remote marketing campaigns by portraying goods, services and venues in innovative ways. It is expected to appeal strongly to businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The new twist on traditional AR methods was developed at the School of Computing over a three-year period by Professor Kenny Mitchell (above) and his former PhD student Dr Llogari Casas.
Intermediated Reality technology enables uniquely efficient communication via animation of real objects. It has been showcased at international conferences and trade shows, and the growth of 3FINERY has been supported with major cash injections from the ICURe programme and Innovate UK.
Now the start-up is looking for Graphics Software Engineer and Technical Artist talent with the intention to grow the team rapidly in readiness for the final push to get the product market-ready.
Co-founder Llogari (above) said: “The technology provides a novel way of interacting with products both around you and far away, and can be easily integrated with existing software, offering unique interactive experiences.
“It is very exciting to have got the project to this stage, with the backing of the University, and we are now looking to press on with commercialisation.”
Augmented Reality allows brands to create fun interactive experiences for their customers with a few taps on their mobile phone, but the 3FINERY technology goes a step further than competitors, who use AR to overlay content on the screen, and can bring any desired object to life remotely and realistically.
Intermediated Reality, the technology behind the company, is a framework for highly efficient distributed communication. It was developed by Llogari and Kenny through an EU Horizon 2020 project entitled ‘DISTRO’. 3FINERY enables play and collaboration via remote channeling of voice and motion through objects that come to life in mobile Augmented Reality.
The ICURe programme – Innovation to Commercialisation of University Research – made a grant of £45,000 to support six months of intensive market assessment and engagement with prospective customers, suppliers, partners and regulators to test the project’s commercial potential.
3FINERY raised a further £150,000 to develop the product for the market by winning a highly competitive Innovate UK funding competition.
Fiona Mason, Head of Business Engagement and IP Commercialisation at Edinburgh Napier, said: “3FINERY is a really exciting new technology emerging from our School of Computing.
“As a follow-on from the EU Horizon 2020 funding where the idea was developed, we were delighted to receive backing from ICURe to help us with our commercialisation journey – this is a highly competitive funding programme and well sought after, and the team found the support invaluable.
“The recent award from Innovate UK is further testament to the ingenuity of the idea, the expertise and skillset of the inventors, and the market readiness of the idea.
“Over the last 10 years, our School of Computing has achieved three successful cyber spin-outs – ZoneFox in 2010, Symphonic in 2013 and Cyan Forensics in 2017. We are delighted to be including 3FINERY in our venture portfolio and believe this magical technology will be a welcome disruptor in a fast-paced marketing landscape.”
The search is on for neighbours who go that extra mile as nominations open for the City of Edinburgh Council’s Good Neighbour Awards.
Established in 2016, the award is a way for residents to pay tribute to Council tenants who make an outstanding contribution to their local community.
Councillor Kate Campbell, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “This year, we want to hear about Edinburgh’s lockdown legends – those incredible neighbours who have gone above and beyond to support others in their community during what has been one of the most challenging years many of us have ever faced.
“I am always amazed at the inspiring stories I hear from our tenants and blown away by the selfless acts of our Good Neighbour Award winners. Please give back by taking the time to put forward your good neighbour for the recognition you know they deserve.
Councillor Mandy Watt, Vice Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, added: “At the height of lockdown, things we once took for granted became difficult or impossible for many of us. Yet we very quickly saw big-hearted residents from all over the city give their time and energy to help others get through this challenging time.
Maybe you know someone who helped deliver shopping for someone who was shielding, or collected their prescriptions, or maybe just made sure people didn’t feel alone. Whatever difference your local lockdown legend made to you or your community, get nominating now.
Last year’s Good Neighbour Award winner was Council tenant Gilbert ‘Gibby’ McIntyre, who sadly passed away before he learned of his win. A donation to the RSPB has been made in his name, on the request of his family.
Speaking about his kind-hearted Dad, Gibby’s son Scott said: “Dad was very much interested in enhancing his, and others’, surroundings through his hard work in the garden.
“A big part of this was to attract birds and other wildlife and he made a point of positioning feeders and nesting boxes so that his neighbours could also enjoy the many visitors to the garden. This was particularly appreciated by those who were less able to get out and about.”
Nominations for this year’s awards should be emailed to the Council by 1 January 2021 at housing.research@edinburgh.gov.uk or by phone on 0131 529 7805.
The winners will be announced on the Council’s social media channels and in an edition of the Tenants’ Courier, the Council’s newsletter to all tenants.
Nominees and those who cast nominations will also be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win a £100 shopping voucher.
Russia’s military intelligence service, the GRU, conducted cyber reconnaissance against officials and organisations at the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games due to take place in Tokyo this summer before they were postponed, the UK has revealed.
The targets included the Games’ organisers, logistics services and sponsors.
The attacks on the 2020 Summer Games are the latest in a campaign of Russian malicious cyber activity against the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The UK is confirming for the first time today the extent of GRU targeting of the 2018 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea.
The GRU’s cyber unit attempted to disguise itself as North Korean and Chinese hackers when it targeted the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Games.
It went on to target broadcasters, a ski resort, Olympic officials and sponsors of the games in 2018.
The GRU deployed data-deletion malware against the Winter Games IT systems and targeted devices across the Republic of Korea using VPNFilter.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) assesses that the incident was intended to sabotage the running of the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, as the malware was designed to wipe data from and disable computers and networks.
Administrators worked to isolate the malware and replace the affected computers, preventing potential disruption.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: “The GRU’s actions against the Olympic and Paralympic Games are cynical and reckless. We condemn them in the strongest possible terms.
The UK will continue to work with our allies to call out and counter future malicious cyber attacks.
The UK has already acted against the GRU’s destructive cyber unit by working with international partners to impose asset freezes and travel bans against its members through the EU cyber sanctions regime.
Today (Monday 19 October), the US Department of Justice has announced criminal charges against Russian military intelligence officers working for the GRU’s destructive cyber unit – also known by the codenames Sandworm and VoodooBear – for conducting cyber attacks against the 2018 Winter Games and other cyber attacks, including the 2018 spear phishing attacks against the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL).
The UK attributed the attacks against DSTL, which followed the Salisbury poisonings, to Russia in 2018.
THE Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is changing how it recruits wholetime firefighters to further enhance the safety of communities.
The Service will move away from national intakes which traditionally took place over a four-week period, resulting in up to 6,000 applications from across Scotland.
Recruitment will now be open year-round with shifting regional focuses through the East, North and West of the country aimed at meeting local workforce needs.
The change will also ensure more regular intakes of new firefighters who are not only trained to protect their communities but work to prevent risk from occurring.
This comes as the Service prepares to open recruitment for wholetime firefighters, with a focus on the North and East of Scotland, later this month.
Liz Barnes is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Director of People and Organisational Development. She said: “We are putting firefighter recruitment back into the communities we protect, with localised recruitment efforts based entirely on local needs.
“Rather than recruiting nationally and selecting candidates from a larger pool of applicants, we will now be targeting our recruitment at where it is needed most.
“This means that our firefighters will be recruited from the area, train in the area, and work in the area they applied for – and by moving to open-recruitment, we can ensure a steady influx of trainees into the Service who will go on to protect their communities.”
While recruitment will remain open year-round, applicants will prioritised for the region that is currently recruiting – applicants should not apply if they are not prepared to work in the recruiting area.
Anyone who wishes to apply for the role will be able to see which area the Service is currently recruiting for online, through the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website or social media, or on the national recruitment platform MyJobScotland.
Director Barnes (above) continued: “It is absolutely vital that anyone who wishes to apply does so at the right time. For example, if we are currently recruiting in the North of Scotland, you should not apply if you are living in Glasgow and unwilling to work in the North of the country.
“Instead, take the time to work on your application, and make sure that it is the best it can be ahead of recruitment opening for the area in which you wish to work.”
Selected applicants will undergo a series of online psychometric tests designed to test their suitability for the role of a firefighter.
Candidates will then attend regional practical selection and selection centres.
More details on the opening of wholetime recruitment will be announced this week.
Director Barnes added: “This is an incredible opportunity for people to work in and protect the communities that they know and love.”
Two Edinburgh businesses have come together to offer visitors an authentic tour of the capital from guides who truly know the stories of the city.
Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel is exclusively partnering with social enterprise Invisible Cities to offer guests a bespoke tour of Edinburgh from one of their specially trained guides, all of who have experienced homelessness in the city.
The team behind Invisible Cities has created specially crafted tours for hotel guests, starting at Charlotte Square and making their way through the iconic sights of Edinburgh. Along the way guides will share some lesser known stories, about how the city was built and why the names were chosen for some of the city’s most historical streets.
Tours are conducted with physical distancing in mind and in line with the latest local guidelines meaning that same household, support bubbles or small groups travelling together in a bubble will be able to join.
Invisible Cities is a social enterprise that is dedicated to training people affected by homelessness to become walking tour guides in the city where they live. Through the unique training that Invisible Cities provides, the guides are empowered to create their own tours highlighting famous landmarks but more importantly sharing their own inspiring stories and experiences.
Kimpton has always been committed to caring for our community, caring for guests, and caring for the environment. We believe that the communities and neighbourhoods we inhabit are the fabric of who we are.
Kieran Quinn, General Manager at Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel, said:“In the last few months the tourism industry has gone through an incredibly difficult time but it has been heart-warming to see our community in Edinburgh come together in support of one another.
“The partnership with Invisible Cities feels like the perfect way to support an extremely important enterprise and also welcome guests back to Edinburgh in a meaningful way.”
Kieran Quinn added: “Kimpton has always been committed to caring for our community, caring for guests and caring for the environment. We believe that our communities and neighbourhoods are the fabric of who we are.
“Now more than ever, people are looking for deeper connections when travelling Invisible Cities has created tours specifically for our guests that are not only a true insider’s guide to Auld Reekie but are also a chance to support an innovative business who are striving to change people’s lives for the better.”
Zakia Moulaoui, Founder of Invisible Cities, said: “We are lucky enough to be able to offer visitors a truly special walking tour of the city from unique voices who have experienced the best and worst of the streets where they live.
“At the moment it feels important to regain a sense of community after everything that the tourism industry has gone through during the pandemic. Working with Kimpton Charlotte Square is an incredible opportunity for two celebrated businesses to come together and champion each other as well as the inspirational tour guides we have the pleasure to work alongside.”
Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel is one of four Kimpton Hotels in the UK, including Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel, Kimpton Fitzroy London and Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester. Kimpton was recently named the fifth best company to work for on the 2019 FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® list, the company’s 10th year on the highly coveted list.
Double rooms at Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel start from £180.
More than four fifths of people in the Edinburgh area are concerned about the volume of single-use items and packaging used across the country and would support regulations that limit their use, according to a survey commissioned by Zero Waste Scotland.
With an estimated 300 million plastic straws, 276 million pieces of plastic cutlery, 50 million plastic plates and 66 million polystyrene food containers used annually in Scotland¹, the poll carried out by YouGov found that 83% of respondents in the Lothians described themselves as being very or fairly concerned about the amount of items designed to be used only once.
It also revealed that 84% support the introduction of regulations in Scotland to reduce the use of single-use items and packaging.
The survey coincides with a public consultation over plans to restrict some of the most environmentally damaging single-use plastic items in Scotland, including plastic cutlery and plastic straws.
The Scottish Government is seeking views on the introduction of new legislation to restrict the supply of single-use plastic plates, plastic straws, plastic cutlery, polystyrene food and drink containers, beverage stirrers, plastic balloon sticks and products made from oxo-degradable plastics. Reusable alternatives would continue to be widely available.
These are the most common items found on European beaches and were identified in the EU Single Plastics Directive as contributing the majority share of litter found in the marine environment. The Marine Conservation Society’s 2019 Beach Clean reported an average 492 items of litter per 100 metres of beach in Scotland, with the majority being single-use plastic or polystyrene.
According to Scottish Government figures around four fifths (80%) of Scotland’s carbon footprint comes from all the goods, materials and services which we produce, use and often throw out after minimal use².
Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said:“Whilst plastic can be incredibly useful and beneficial in a number of areas, it also can cause significant damage to our environment if it isn’t disposed of properly.
“Scots are increasingly concerned about the impacts of disposable single-use items and can see how it is impacting on the country’s natural environment.
“Most of us don’t ‘need’ many of these single-use items being consulted on. By choosing reusables over disposables we can still have the benefit without the needless waste and carbon emissions associated with throwaway items.”
Part of the consultation process is to understand how access can be maintained for people who require items that perform a vital function that cannot be easily replaced. For example, straws may be required for medical use or to support independent living.
For Scotland as a whole, breaking down the responses by age showed those aged 18-24 were most concerned (86%) about the volume of single-use items, followed by 55+ (78%), 45-54 (76%), 25-34 (74%) and 35-44 (73%).
Support for regulations was highest amongst the 55+ age group (80%), followed by 45-54 (79%), 18-24 and 35-44 (78%), with 25-34 lowest (77%).
It is expected that any legislation would be introduced by 2021.
A starter payment should be made to people claiming Universal Credit (UC) for the first time to ensure that everyone has enough money for basics such as food and heating during the wait for their initial monthly payment, the Work and Pensions Committee says.
The Committee’s report on Universal Credit: the wait for a first payment finds that the current wait of at least five weeks causes difficulties for some households. While the existing system of Advance pay-ments for those in need can provide a valuable financial lifeline, the Committee is concerned that some people are unable to afford the required repayments.
The Committee warns that this leaves people with a difficult choice: five weeks with no income, or the risk of debt and hardship later.
The report concludes that the introduction of a new payment – equivalent to three weeks of the standard allowance – would be a simple way of ensuring that new claimants had the money they needed for basic living essentials. For people moving from existing benefits, DWP should make the move seamless wherever possible—and pay a starter payment in other cases.
Advances should still be available for people who need further support to get by, but they should be renamed ‘new claim loans’ to make clear that they will need to be repaid. The DWP should also recognise that a request for a loan is a clear indication that someone is struggling and offer support as early as possible.
Reflecting evidence from Sir Iain Duncan Smith, among others, the Committee has also called for changes to the way that historic tax credit is clawed back from people when they move to Universal Credit—and for DWP’s debt collection to follow best practice in the private sector.
In addition, the Committee calls on the Government to make permanent the £20 per week increase in the standard UC allowance announced in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Rt Hon Stephen Timms, Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, said: “There is a growing body of evidence that moving to Universal Credit leaves many reliant on food banks, falling seriously behind with their rent, and even experiencing increased levels of psychological distress.
“The Government’s response is that there is no proof that Universal Credit—and in particular the wait for a first payment—is the direct cause of those difficulties. So DWP needs to commission research, and quickly, to find out what lies behind these deeply worrying findings.
“Our social security system should not be leaving people without the money they need for food and heating.
“In the meantime, the Government must face up to the fact that its current system of Advance loans simply isn’t working. They leave people facing the toughest of choices: go without income for at least five weeks, or have repayments subtracted from their future UC payments—which are already barely enough to get by on.
“We cannot understand why people who are already claiming benefits need to wait for at least five weeks when they move to Universal Credit—especially when nothing in their lives has changed. Their move should be seamless.
“For people claiming benefits for the first time, or people who’ve faced a significant change in their circumstances, the Government should provide starter payments. Doing so would both cut down on the need for Advance loans and ensure that nobody is forced into debt just to be able to afford to eat and keep a roof over their heads.
“UC is a highly automated system. That has been a real strength over the last few months, with the huge influx of new claims caused by the coronavirus pandemic. But it can also be a major weakness, leaving people without the tailored support they need, and Ministers unable to make the changes they want to see.
“There is much the Government can do without completely dismantling the UC system: we hope that our proposals, taken together, offer practical solutions for making Universal Credit work for everyone who needs it.”
Key report findings and recommendations
Starter payments
All first-time claimants of UC should receive a starter payment equivalent to three weeks of the Standard Allowance.
The payment should be made two weeks after the initial claim and only once the claimant’s identity has been verified, to guard against fraud.
People claiming legacy benefits should be moved seamlessly to UC, but where they cannot be they should receive a starter payment instead.
The impact of the wait
The Committee received evidence from both organisations and individuals which suggested that a significant proportion of people face financial difficulties during the wait for a first UC payment.
Citizens Advice said that half the people it helps during the wait period are ‘unable to keep up with bills, rent or are forced to go without the essentials such as food and heating’.
The National Audit Office said that the wait for a first payment can exacerbate claimants’ debt and financial difficulties.
DWP must carry out research to develop its understanding of the possible impact of UC, particularly the wait for the first payment, on the use of food banks; on claimants’ levels of rent arrears; and on levels of psychological distress.
Advance payments
Even with starter payments, the Committee anticipates some people claiming will still need to ask for an Advance (a loan to tide them over during the wait).
The DWP risks misleading claimants, and damaging its own credibility, if it insists on denying the obvious fact that these Advances are interest free loans.
Advances should be renamed ‘new claim loans’ so it is clear that they need to be repaid.
The Department should offer support to anyone requesting a substantial Advance, as it would be a clear indication that someone is struggling with the transition to UC.
Tax credit debt
Repayments of tax credit overpayments can compound hardship for people who may already be struggling.
The Committee recommends that recovery of tax credit debt from people claiming UC should begin only when the claimant has repaid their Advance (if they have taken one out).
Repayments of remaining debts should be capped at 10% of UC standard allowance and written off entirely if they have not been pursued for more than six years.
Universal Support and Help to Claim
The DWP must invest in expanding and developing its Help to Claim service so it is closer to its original plans for Universal Support.
The service must go beyond assisting with an initial claim and should include debt advice, support for people struggling with repaying Advances and support for people with complex needs.
The Work Capability Assessment and support for disabled people
The Committee finds it troubling that, because of the time taken to complete a Work Capability Assessment, some disabled people and people with health conditions must wait much longer than five weeks to receive their full UC entitlement.
Four months, on average, is too long to wait and the DWP must work to speed up the process.
Coronavirus measures
In its report DWP’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, the Committee welcomed the decision to increase the standard allowance in UC and the basic element in Working Tax Credit by £20 per week.
The Government should now extend the increase past April 2021 and make the rise permanent.
A new £1 million ‘Scotland Loves Local’ fund will provide grants of between £500 and £5,000 to hundreds of projects to promote town centre and online businesses.
The funding aims to support small scale improvements that will help motivate people to shop, eat and relax within their community whilst ensuring public health safety.
Grants can be put towards providing safe shopping information for residents and tourists, the installation of public health infrastructure such as protective screens, physical distancing markers, hand sanitising equipment and PPE.
Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “We know money spent locally is more likely to stay in the local economy and support local jobs. The Scotland Loves Local campaign encourages people to think how they can safely support this.
“This fund will help initiatives supporting businesses, such as projects to encourage safe shopping, business and leisure opportunities, promoting and advertising local providers of online shopping or enhancing visitor appeal.
“We all have a part to play in Scotland’s economic recovery and can do so, whilst we look out for one another and follow the FACTS guidance.”
Chief Officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership Phil Prentice said: “This is an exceptional opportunity for local communities – a chance to get the funding that will unlock some brilliant creativity.
“We’ve seen throughout the Scotland Loves Local campaign that people all over the country want to back their local towns and places – we’re looking forward to seeing some brilliant ideas take shape. Our campaign is highlighting that money spent locally stays local for longer. This new fund will be a real boost for communities across the country.”
The funding is being provided by the Scottish Government, and administered by Scotland’s Towns Partnership.
Two Midlothian based entrepreneurs have successfully launched a new clothing brand following support from Business Gateway.
Launched in April 2020, MC Apparel is a fashion clothing brand created by Midlothian locals Michael Surgeon and Liam Chisholm. The team identified the opportunity and were motivated to launch their second business after their first paused trading due to COVID-19.
Working closely with Business Gateway, MC Apparel received a variety of start-up support services including support to create a business plan, marketing and networking opportunities, as well as accessing online resources such as webinars and advertising tutorials.
This guidance from Business Gateway ensured the team were able to adapt their business model to meet the challenges posed by the pandemic and increase margins by shifting from early drop-shipping to stock holding, this enabled MC Apparel to improve quality control and reduce delivery timescales for customers.
Michael Surgeon, Founder of MC Apparel, said: “We gained a wide range of support from Business Gateway and this meant the process of launching our new business went smoothly.
“The team at Business Gateway Midlothian have been very supportive during this period and the online workshops we attended were invaluable, helping us to develop a digital marketing strategy that allowed us to reach our target audiences even with the challenges of lockdown.
“I would recommend anyone who is starting out in business to get in touch with Business Gateway. They are always there when you need them and if they don’t have the answer, they can signpost you to the right person or resource.”
When COVID-19 restrictions ease, the team at MC Apparel are looking forward to organising photoshoots to showcase the clothing range and have plans to collaborate with local fashion brands to give away 20 t-shirts to support a local charity.
Annie Watt, Business Gateway Lead Officer, said: “It’s impressive to see how Michael and Liam have adapted to lockdown, identifying an opportunity to launch a new business and taking it forward.
“They have been incredibly proactive, accessing a range of Business Gateway resources, attending workshops and arranging one-to-one sessions via Zoom to receive guidance and support on development plans.
“Recent research by Business Gateway revealed that despite the challenges, COVID-19 has not hampered peoples’ appetite to start a business, and Michael and Liam’s experience is a testament to this.
“While it is a difficult trading environment, I would encourage anyone with an idea for a new business to get in touch and see how our resources, advice and support can help get it off the ground.”
Morrisons has removed glitter entirely from its own-brand ranges of greetings cards, gift wrap, seasonal items and horticulture in stores.
This means all Morrisons cards, crackers, wrapping paper, present bags, flowers, plants and wreaths are now 100 per cent glitter-free. Glitter is made from tiny particles of plastic and is an ecological hazard if it becomes dispersed on land, rivers and oceans – where it takes hundreds of years to degrade.
The move extends to non-seasonal as well as seasonal lines meaning Morrisons shoppers can shop more sustainably all year round. Soluble inks, foil and paper reliefs will instead be used to decorate Morrisons FSC certified paper cards, wrap and bags to give them a festive feel.
Morrisons has also removed all plastic toys from its Christmas crackers, which will be completely plastic-free this year.
All contents – such as games and gifts – will now be made out of paper, metal or wood and are designed to be kept and reused. The cracker shells will be made from FSC accredited cardboard and decorated with a metallic basked ink – which means they can be recycled at kerbside, along with their packaging.
In a further move to make Christmas more sustainable, Morrisons has also reduced the amount of plastic packaging on cards and decorations. The majority of Morrisons cards will come boxed in recyclable cardboard and 100 per cent of packaging on cards and decorations can be easily recycled by local authorities.
The supermarket is also introducing a wide range of ‘no plastic’ felt, hessian and wooden Christmas decorations.
The move to ban glitter and reduce plastic in Christmas ranges means that Morrisons will be removing more than 50 tonnes of plastic from its shelves during the festive period, and more across non-seasonal lines all year round.
Christine Bryce, Morrisons Home Director. said:“Every time a cracker is pulled, or a card is opened, plastics have been used…but just the once. So, we’ve taken glitter and plastic out of our festive range this year – so that our customers can enjoy their festivities without worrying about the environmental impact.
“This means that we’re now 100 per cent glitter free across all our own brand ranges which is an important step in the fight against plastic pollution.”
Morrisons glitter-free Christmas cards are in store now. Crackers, decorations, wrapping paper and gift bags will be appearing on shelves throughout October and November.
In May, Morrisons increased its target to reduce own-brand plastic packaging from 25% to 50% by 2025.
