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Augmented reality supplements real-world experience by placing graphics over a live camera feed in real-time. Smartphones are a popular and suitable device (ubiquity, portability, and sensor features). However embedded industry practices delivered an inferior experience limiting adoption. Maguire's research-informed innovative integration and implementation of visual effects enabled a high-end cinematic experience. This included integration of user's environment, interaction with characters, motion blur, 3D realistic character, facial animation, exponentially increased capacity for customized narrative and new audiences. The outcomes also expanded the aesthetic and genre of the narrative, sharing user experience and thus reaching significant new user demographics.
University of Cambridge research on the principles of `sentient computing' led to the foundation of spin-out company Ubisense, which has grown into a leading location solutions company. By the end of 2011, Ubisense had 170 employees and was floated on AIM with a valuation of £38.6million. It serves customers such as BMW, Airbus, Aston Martin and the US Army. Deployment of the Ubisense Real Time Location System has improved production line accuracy and efficiency by up to 10%.
Global Positioning System (GPS) devices are integrated into many modern electronic systems. The protection of these systems is vital to the daily operation of a nation's infrastructure and security. A new device and service for radio-frequency interference detection has been developed at Bath and is protecting GPS-reliant infrastructure from deliberate and accidental jamming. The system resulted from research into GPS signal processing. Commercial impact has resulted from the development of products and services operated internationally by a UK company. Policy impact has resulted from Ofcom's move towards making the possession of a GPS jammer illegal [text removed for publication]. Economic and societal benefit has resulted from the protection against criminal jamming, ensuring the seamless running of transportation, telecommunications and emergency services that depend on GPS.
The impact described in this case study is the more efficient use of transport infrastructure through the application of our research into the use of wireless components and wireless communication devices. This gives passengers reduced travel times, better business performance for operators, and, for everyone, reduced pollution (including CO2) and a more pleasant urban environment as a result of reduced congestion. The impact has benefitted transport systems throughout Europe, including Nottingham and Coventry in the UK, Gouda in the Netherlands, Leuven in Belgium and Sofia in Bulgaria.
The primary impact is AmbieSense Ltd., a start-up that has had up to 8 employees/consultants. The Company pioneered ambient, context-aware mobile applications and has been able to maintain its technological edge throughout. Secondary impact is through products developed and used by companies including Lonely Planet, Oslo Airport. AmbieSense Ltd. products and services have wide reach and social impact: Tourist trails; outdoor museums; educational historic trails. Customers include public sector: Aberdeen City Council. Benefits are a quality content experience delivered in a context-sensitive manner (social/economic). The significance is: information-rich touristic physical space; an enriching educational experience, connecting pupils with environments. Other technologies have also been built on the AmbieSense platform and patents have cited the underpinning work, demonstrating impact on professional services.
Research on software and service engineering conducted at the University of East London has been successfully applied to the international telecom sector, within which it has contributed to the creation by Telecom Italia of a context-aware service platform and of mobile Value-Added Services based on that platform. The application of our work has had a positive impact on Telecom Italia's software development process, enabling an easier and faster integration of heterogeneous services necessary to provide mobile Value Added Services. The principal benefits have been to Telecom Italia's customers through the provision to them of improved telecom services, and to the company itself, which has been able to increase its customer base and profitability.