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The University of Warwick has joined forces with NHS West Midlands to create the new Institute of Digital Healthcare, a collaboration aimed at improving people’s health and wellbeing through the use of innovative technologies.

Officially launched today, the Institute of Digital Healthcare is a five-year programme based in WMG's International Digital Laboratory, and includes lead partners WMG, NHS West Midlands and Warwick Medical School.

WMG were pleased to host a visit from Sir George Cox, Pro-Chancellor of University of Warwick. Meeting with Lord Bhattacharyya, Sir George was interested to understand the diverse research undertaken by the Group. He also had an opportunity to meet with staff, to discover the breadth of our multi-disciplinary capabilities and the wide range of sectors we work with. Dr Steve Maggs discussed the Westfield Hybrid racing car project describing its impact and how postgraduate students gain hands on industrial experience and Dr Mark Williams highlighted our new £2m unique research and development Customer Interface Technologies Centre of Excellence, which gives companies direct access to the latest product evaluation technologies and processes.

A Formula 3 racing car designed by researchers at WMG at the University has just received two significant accolades confirming its reputation as the ultimate green racing car.

Just two weeks ago the car was selected to be one the green technologies presented to The Prince of Wales during the Birmingham leg of HRH’s Start tour of the UK. Now today, Thursday 23rd September, the car has also been shortlisted for the THE (Times Higher) award for Outstanding Engineering Research Team of the Year.

A little green van called ELVIN is whizzing around the University of Warwick as part of a major research project aimed at tackling the safety issues linked to the lack of sound from electric vehicles. However ELVIN (Electric Vehicle with Interactive Noise) faces a risk of being perceived as a little green man rather than as a little green van.

ELVIN will be able to emit many different sounds aimed at alerting pedestrians and other road users that he is nearby. One of the range of sounds being tested is said to invoke memories of early science fiction movies and the researchers will have to be sure it really does alert pedestrians and other road users to oncoming electric vehicles rather than causing them to look skyward for more unearthly vehicles.

The University of Warwick has joined forces with NHS West Midlands to create the new Institute of Digital Healthcare, a collaboration aimed at improving people’s health and wellbeing through the use of innovative technologies.

The Institute of Digital Healthcare is a five-year programme based in the new International Digital Laboratory, and includes as founding partners Warwick Manufacturing Group, Warwick Medical School and NHS West Midlands.

By working with both private and public sector organisations, the Institute will deliver real and lasting benefits to patients and the public through the application of innovative digital solutions to a wide range of healthcare scenarios.

WMG has been hailed as a role model of partnership between science research and industry in a key speech by Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Dr Vince Cable.

Dr Cable was speaking about the context of the impending major government spending decisions, how the UK invests in science and research, and he posed the question “can we achieve more with less?”

The speech praised WMG for being “outstanding” in its ability to innovate and bring together a range of disciplines.

WMG today formed the final lap of a tour by The Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and President of the Board of Trade, of three literal engines of economic growth in the Midlands.

The focus of Dr Cable's visit to WMG was to learn about its industrial collaborations and to identify opportunities for economic growth.

In just three hours Dr Cable experienced three very different cars produced or developed in the Midlands. After visits to see two other cars this morning he arrived at WMG’s International Manufacturing Centre to tour the work within it and WMG’s International Digital Laboratory.

Lord Bhattacharyya welcomed the senior delegation from Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology.

WMG has a long standing partnership with NTU and SIMT and discussions focussed on opportunities for further collaboration in research and doctoral training.

The delegation had a tour of WMG facilities including the International Manufacturing Centre and the International Digital Lab, which shows the breadth and capabilities of our activities.

Over 500 students from across the University attended a Summer Careers Fair which was hosted by The Digital Lab. The fair was organised by the Centre for Student Careers and Skills for Warwick undergraduates and Msc students who are considering their career options or may be seeking employment upon graduation this year.

WMG were pleased to host a visit from Richard Lambert, Director-General of CBI and Chancellor of the University of Warwick. Meeting with Lord Bhattacharyya and staff in WMG, Mr Lambert was interested to understand the diverse research undertaken by the Group in collaboration with business and other organisations and the impact this has on industry.