A new programme from DIT Hothouse is set to open up access for small and medium-sized businesses to researcher expertise, labs and equipment. The Open Labs initiative will essentially create an external R&D facility for small firms, giving them access more than 600 DIT researchers and facilities in product prototyping, virtual reality, internet of things, data analysis for business and innovative surface coatings. The new programme will remove some of the barriers that SMEs face, and make it less risky to engage in R&D. Paul Maguire, senior innovation portfolio manager in DIT Hothouse, said he believes the scheme will foster greater collaboration between DIT researchers and SMEs. “Open Labs will not only allow an SME to explore or expand its R&D activity, but it will also demonstrate the talent and real-world problem-solving skills of DIT researchers working across the institute,” he said.

Source: The Irish Times February 13, 2018 18:11 UTC