MK Digital Future Explored at City Innovation Showcase

Over 100 business leaders, tech entrepreneurs and public service professionals will gather at MK Gallery today (Thursday, 24 October) for MK Digital Futures, a showcase of the digital and technological innovations that are set to transform the way we live now and in the future. Hosted by CityFibre and supported by South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) and Barclays Eagle Lab, speakers and exhibitors will focus on how innovation could revolutionise many aspects of our lives - from healthcare and transport infrastructure to business, housing and urban environments. Giving both a national and regional perspective, the event will also shine a spotlight on Milton Keynes which has been identified by the Centre for Cities as one of the UK’s five Fast Growth Cities and is playing a pivotal role as a test bed for these new technologies. This test bed status depends on access to future proof full fibre digital infrastructure. CityFibre is currently investing around £40m in delivering full fibre networks to almost every home and business in the city. Greg Mesch, CEO of CityFibre, said: “In recognition of the strength of its tech sector and its smart city ambitions, Milton Keynes was chosen as the first city to benefit from Gigabit-capable full fibre broadband under the Gigabit City programme. “Advanced full fibre networks play a critical role in futureproofing cities’ by providing the capacity and backhaul connectivity required to support Internet of Things products and 5G mobile services. Milton Keynes is clearly a leading destination for technological innovation, and this is cause to celebrate as we explore new ideas and plan for the decades ahead. “This event aims to showcase the incredible innovations which are being pioneered here in Milton Keynes and the ways in which digital connectivity, and the tech it enables, will enhance the lives of communities across the UK.” Geoff Snelson, Director of Strategies and Futures at Milton Keynes Council said: “Growing the digital economy is at the heart of our 2050 Futures strategy for Milton Keynes. This event is very timely as we have a number of exciting new initiatives coming forward, including the MK:U university project and 5G infrastructure trials linked to new mobility services.” One of the key focuses of the event will be the ways in which healthcare services are currently utilising emerging technologies and the ways in which the sector will be revolutionised by the technologies of the future. As part of the exhibition, Milton Keynes University Hospital is demonstrating how Augmented and Virtual Reality is being used to train staff in the use of ultrasound and flexible bronchoscopy. Peter Sleeman-Barker, Simulation Educator from Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “As technology advances it is essential to provide task trainers like EVE & ORSIM, which we are demonstrating at MK Digital Futures, to allow staff to be given instruction in these procedural clinical skills.’’ “The virtual format facilitates training and promotes skill development and dexterity, as well as providing an economical and safe solution to training. It also provides rapid exposure to a multitude of scenarios before clinical application which ultimately benefits the learner and improves patient care.’’ Another exhibitor at the MK Digital Futures event is Robotazia, a company which is in the process of establishing a sci-fi themed restaurant staffed with robot waiters. Commenting on why Milton Keynes is a great place to start their new venture, Joy Gittens, Founder of Robotazia, said: “We are aiming to establish a venue of extraordinary robot and sci-fi themed creativity with an emphasis on recycling and repurposing. We chose Milton Keynes not just because it is our home town, it is an innovative and forward thinking Smart City.” Peter Horrocks CBE, Chair of SEMLEP, added: “The Oxford-Cambridge Arc and particularly Milton Keynes has tremendous strengths in innovating in digital technologies and is well-recognised as a test-bed for connected technology. “Enhancing, embedding and promoting this is a priority and commitment made in the Local Industrial Strategy, agreed with government and published this year. But to achieve it, a lot of work, coordination and investment needs to happen to upgrade the infrastructure we need to secure our digital future. Particularly as we plan and manage the projected growth we expect in this area against the backdrop of rapid change in technology use, our progression towards a zero-carbon, green economy, and the high expectations of businesses, employees and residents. This is what this conference is all about. It will celebrate how far we’ve come but test and challenge what action we need to take now to future-proof the lives we want to lead.”