Tag: technology

Attached to our phones: a decade of digital dependency

  • Ofcom study shows how a decade of technological revolution has transformed our behaviour
  • One in five people spend more than 40 hours a week online
  • Brits now need constant connection to internet, and are checking their smartphone every 12 minutes

Most people in the UK are dependent on their digital devices, and need a constant connection to the internet, following a decade of digital transformation revealed by Ofcom today. Continue reading Attached to our phones: a decade of digital dependency

Edinburgh set to join broadband premier league

Edinburgh is next in line, alongside Stirling, to be transformed as part of CityFibre and Vodafone’s partnership to roll-out ultra-fast, Gigabit-capable full fibre broadband across the UK. The announcement, which brings the total number of homes and businesses identified as part of the partnership to over half a million premises across seven cities, represents an investment by CityFibre of £110m in the cities. Continue reading Edinburgh set to join broadband premier league

Patients to benefit from new technology

Children with congenital heart defects are amongst those set to benefit from new technology designed to improve diagnoses and treatment planning thanks to investment announced by Economy Secretary Keith Brown.

Scottish Enterprise has awarded Edinburgh based Canon Medical’s European Research and Development Centre £1.9m towards developing its new £6.6m life sciences software. The technology will give medical staff a single ‘cockpit’ view, quickly pinpointing and collating key patient information from a variety of medical sources to better inform treatment decisions.

Initially the software will be used by medical staff treating congenital heart defects in children with the potential for it to be developed to support treatment for a wider range of medical conditions in future, including cardiovascular, stroke and oncology patients. The funding will also create 10 new jobs and protect 16 existing posts on the project.

Economy Secretary Mr Brown said: “Developments in life science technologies are hugely welcome in terms of both improving patient care and treatment and growing our economy, as well as further establishing Scotland as a centre of excellence in this important sector.

“Our aspiration is for Scotland to continue to lead innovations in life sciences and our Programme for Government saw business Research & Development grants boosted by 70%.

“Scottish Enterprise has worked with Canon Medical over the last 13 years to help achieve its growth ambitions and I look forward to seeing this collaboration continue to flourish and the company expanding its global business here in Scotland.”

Ken Sutherland, President of Canon Medical Research Europe, said: “Scotland is a fantastic location for us to innovate as we have access to top talent, universities and research collaborators, together with the strong support of the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise. We’re actively recruiting staff now to work on this project and hope to continue harnessing the excellent international graduate talent from Scottish universities.

“This project comes at a pivotal moment for us, allowing us to evolve into a healthcare data and AI research and development business. This £6.6m project also underlines the confidence our Japanese parent company has in further investing in our Scottish activity.”

Rhona Allison, Interim Managing Director at Scottish Enterprise, said: “Business innovation is critical to the success of our economy. Innovation is a key driver of growth and companies that innovate are more productive, do more international trade and employ more people.

“Giving our backing to this Research & Development project means we can help Canon Medical maximise its investment, cement its activity in Scotland and further increase Scotland’s reputation as a global hub for life sciences and medical technology excellence. I wish Canon Medical every success with this project and look forward to continuing to work with Ken and his team to grow the company further in Scotland.”

 

 

 

SOCLAB set to counter cyber security threats

Industry guests have been given a preview of a new cyber security centre which will allow companies to train staff to combat potentially crippling attacks. The SOCLAB centre at Edinburgh Napier’s Cyber Academy will let workers get to grips with threats like ransomware, which saw NHS systems infected with malicious software last year, in a safe and isolated environment. Continue reading SOCLAB set to counter cyber security threats

Fly me to the moon: projects for the space age

Space Industry Act ‘to unlock billions for the UK economy’

The government’s plans to add billions of pounds to the UK economy and create hundreds of high-skilled jobs by unlocking opportunities in the new space age were outlined by the Science Minister Sam Gyimah on Thursday. Continue reading Fly me to the moon: projects for the space age

Leonardo apprentices adapt sensor technology to aid blind pupils

A futuristic piece of technology has been adapted by a leading aerospace company to help young blind pupils find their way to class. Apprentices working at Crewe Toll-based company, Leonardo, have adapted sensor technology to help Royal Blind School pupils who are wheelchair users to navigate around the school more easily. Continue reading Leonardo apprentices adapt sensor technology to aid blind pupils