EXCITING plans to trial the latest cutting edge technology in Malvern can go ahead after the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership received a multi-million pound grant from the Government.
The £4.8million will allow Worcestershire to become the test bed for 5G technology which will revolutionise the way businesses will operate in the UK and globally.
From its launch next month, the Worcestershire 5G Consortium will begin the county’s most comprehensive trial with a team of specialists and business experts.
The consortium of partners include the Malvern Hills Science Park, Worcestershire County Council, 5GIC at the University of Surrey, AWTG, Huawei, O2 and BT.
The project will provide a revolutionary platform for county and national businesses to develop next-generation technology focused on improving the UK’s industrial productivity.
Worcester Bosch and Yamazaki Mazak have already been selected to experiment with preventative and assisted maintenance using robotics, big data analytics and augmented reality.
Meanwhile, Malvern-based QinetiQ, the multinational defence technology company, will use the test bed to advance cyber security application.
Worcestershire LEP and the consortium are already working to increase the pool of expertise and is welcoming interest from enterprises looking to increase industrial productivity.
To fuel interest, the consortium has commissioned the creation of new courses at the University of Worcester and Heart of Worcestershire College.
Entrepreneurs will also have the opportunity to test 5G capabilities in a new commercial technology accelerator located at the Malvern Hills Science Park.
Mark Stansfeld, chair of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and 5G lead for Midlands Engine, said: “We are delighted to have been successful in our bid to help businesses deliver greater productivity using 5G technologies.
“This highlights the huge ambition of Worcestershire’s innovative public and private sector.
“5G connectivity is set to revolutionise the way that future business will operate both in the UK and globally.
“I believe that the introduction of these technologies will have an extremely positive impact in allowing businesses to create new innovative products, raise productivity and improve economic growth.”
The 5G consortium is open to exploring new opportunities for application and product development and is welcoming interest from the UK’s most innovative minds.
Email [email protected] for more information on the scheme or how to get involved.
