Representatives from over 60 companies in the Cork region attended CONNECT in CORK, an information morning for potential industry partners, at Cork County Hall on 29 November 2017. The goal of the event was to introduce CONNECT’s research themes to locally-based companies with a view to establishing new research partnerships. The gathering was hosted in partnership with Cork County Council.
Mayor of County Cork, Cllr Declan Hurley, opened the event and highlighted the need for businesses to remain at the cutting edge of technological developments, particularly in the areas of Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence. He also commended CONNECT on its recent international peer review which described the Centre as ‘outstanding in every respect’ and deserving of the ‘highest priority for continued funding.’
Four CONNECT partners – Brian Coffey (Analog Devices), Padraig Hennessy (Terra Liquid Minerals), Riona Sayers (Teagasc), and Ian Wheelock (Arris) – provided testimonials of their positive experience of working with CONNECT.
CONNECT researchers also spoke at the event with Prof. Linda Doyle providing an overview of the work of the Centre and outlining funding opportunities for companies interested in collaborating on research projects. Dr Alan Mathewson and Dr Alan O’Riordan described their sensor research for on-farm diagnostics conducted at Tyndall National Institute. Professor Dirk Pesch from the Nimbus Centre at Cork Institute of Technology introduced ENABLE – a new smart communities research programme which will be launched in January 2018, and Professor Cormac Sreenan, Head of the Department of Computer Science at UCC and Deputy Director of CONNECT, described the use of artificial intelligence and aerial drones in search and rescue missions.
Dr Brendan O’Flynn described the applications of Pervasive Nation, CONNECT’s Internet of Things testbed.
Mr James Fogarty, Divisional Manager at Cork County Council said: ‘One of our goals in Cork County Council is to use our Economic Development Fund to stimulate economic activity and we see partnerships between industry and the third level research community as a vital element in fostering greater innovation. These partnerships will also benefit competitiveness and productivity.’
If you are interested in discussing a research proposal, please contact Mark Cooney, CONNECT Industry Programme Manager, mark.cooney@connectcentre.ie
CONNECT is the world leading Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Future Networks and Communications. CONNECT is funded under the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centres Programme and is co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund. We engage with over 35 companies including large multinationals, SMEs and start-ups. CONNECT brings together world-class expertise from ten Irish academic institutes to create a one-stop-shop for telecommunications research, development and innovation.
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