ACADEMIA

The Digital Innovation Facility, a new multi-million facility to support the growth of academic-industry collaborations in emerging digital technologies, officially opens at the University of Liverpool 

The University of Liverpool’s Digital Innovation Facility (DIF), a £12.7 million Centre of Excellence in emerging digital technologies, was officially opened by the Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, alongside tech entrepreneur and visiting Professor at the University of Liverpool, Sir Robin Saxby.

Located on the University city center campus, the DIF provides a purpose-built environment to support collaborations and partnerships between academics, industry, and organizations in the research areas of computer and data science, robotics, and engineering where the University has world-class research capabilities.

The 1500 M² facility includes state-of-the-art laboratories featuring cutting-edge equipment and highly skilled support to facilitate enhanced access for businesses and organizations that wish to collaborate with University experts across multiple technology areas including visualization, robotics, artificial intelligence, data science, simulation, and modeling. 

Specialist labs in the DIF include a Mixed Reality Lab containing the latest in VR technology and equipment, an Extreme Environment Lab that simulates real-world hazardous conditions for testing robotics and autonomous systems, and an Immersive Laboratory that focuses on developing sensory technologies in areas of smell and touch for future “Tactile Internet” applications.

The DIF is co-funded by the University of Liverpool and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Local Growth Fund.

The University is a hub for digital research and innovation and Digital is one of its key research themes. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, the University’s Engineering research was rated as 6th in the UK for outstanding (4*) impact, and Computer Science and Informatics research were rated as 5th in the UK for world-leading 4* research outputs and 100% of its research environment rated as world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*).

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “The pandemic accelerated the move towards a more digital world and proved just how important connectivity and technology will increasingly be in all our lives.

“For me, it’s a no-brainer for us to invest in projects that marry intelligent businesses with local research excellence and help develop this into practical and lucrative new applications. Our region is home to world-class clusters of research, development, and innovation. I truly believe that we have all the assets, capabilities – and the political will – to make our region the country’s innovation engine. The Digital Innovation Facility is a perfect example of that in a microcosm.

“It isn’t just a means of generating economic growth for our region either – but a duty we have to our residents to help deliver well-paid jobs and improved public services. This is a £12.7m investment that will help us do just that.”

Professor Dame Janet Beer, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool said: “The Digital Innovation Facility is an incredible asset, and we know it will have a significant positive impact on the city region and the North of England as a whole. The recent Research Excellence Framework highlighted our strengths and expertise in the areas of computer science, robotics, and engineering and this facility will help businesses and industries access this expertise to lead the way in digital technologies, resulting in further collaborations, inward investment, and economic growth."

Sir Robin Saxby, technology entrepreneur and visiting Professor at the University of Liverpool, said: “I am delighted to be here with local leaders at the opening of the Digital Innovation Facility at the University of Liverpool.  This world-leading facility and team will play a key role in the region’s research and innovation capabilities, facilitating industry and academic collaboration in digital technologies with huge potential and opportunities across many sectors including data analysis, AI, robotics, health care, and climate change. Liverpool's global reach and connectivity will also stimulate what happens here.“

Dr. Andy Levers, Director of the DIF and Executive Director of the Institute for Digital Engineering and Autonomous Systems, said: “Through the DIF we have created a dedicated hub to facilitate access to our world-leading facilities, expertise, and support so that business, industry and other organizations can benefit from the exciting advances in computing, robotics, artificial intelligence, and virtual engineering and maximize the possibilities and impact of these emerging technologies.”

The DIF is a key addition to the science and technology facilities in Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter.