Norscot In Line For National Innovation Award
26th January 2018
A kit home and window manufacturer with operations in Caithness and Inverness has been shortlisted for a national award for innovation.
Norscot is one of three finalists in the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2018 Innovation of the Year category, after developing a system for clients to view their new homes on site virtually before building work starts.
The company partnered with University of Strathclyde to research and develop virtual reality show home software for mobile phones. This combines advanced interactive visualisation of buildings with Building Information Modelling (BIM) data, for the first time. The Construction Scotland Innovation Centre in Hamilton funded the proof of concept.
The project has been supported and facilitated by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), who also made the links with Interface, the organisation that runs the awards. Interface in turn helped Norscot find an academic partner to develop the software.
Claire Farquhar, HIE account manager in Caithness, said: "This is a great achievement for Norscot and we are absolutely delighted for them. The company has shown tremendous drive and innovation; important factors for business growth. We wish them every success in the finals."
Peter Body, Norscot chairman, said: "We find clients increasingly asking to view a show home. But, since we specialise in supplying one-off customised kits, throughout the UK, this simply isn't feasible. The new software will allow clients to interact with the design process and view their new home in a virtual environment, on their site, before any work commences."
Interface is funded by the Scottish Funding Council, Scottish Enterprise, and HIE. It encourages businesses to consider academic support to help solve their business challenges. The Scottish Knowledge Exchange awards recognise, reward and celebrate impacts achieved through this form of collaborative partnerships.
The Innovation of the Year Award is for an innovative product, process or service that has been developed with a university, research institute or college partner, facilitated by the Interface Voucher Funding Programme.
The awards ceremony will take place in Edinburgh on Thursday, 22 February.
Related Businesses
Related Articles
Satellite Launch Site Plans - Another View
The latest generation of small communications satellites could be launched into Earth orbit from the northern Highlands of Scotland within the next two years. Development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has submitted a planning application for a vertical launch site, Space Hub Sutherland, that it plans to construct on the A' Mhoine peninsula, Melness, near Tongue.
Contract Awarded For £250k Adventure Tourism Programme
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has contracted marketing and business development company, Business and Tourism Solutions (BTS), who will work with Lochaber Chamber of Commerce to deliver the programme. It will provide intensive engagement, support and interventions for around 50 businesses and providers in the sector across the Highland Council area.
Plans Submitted For Satellite Launch Site In Sutherland
The latest generation of small communications satellites could be launched into Earth orbit from the northern Highlands of Scotland within the next two years. The latest generation of small communications satellites could be launched into Earth orbit from the northern Highlands of Scotland within the next two years.More Pain For Highland As HIE Budget Gets Second Year Of Cuts
According to the draft Scottish Govenment budget, Highlands and Islands Enterprise will get £58.2 million in the upcoming financial year - down from £61.1 million last year. 2018/19 the budget was £71.7 million.40 New Jobs Expected In Five Years As Ashley Ann, Wick Plans Further Growth
A Caithness company is planning to invest more than £2m in its Wick plant, in a move that could see up to 40 new jobs created in the town over the next five years. Family-run Ashley Ann Ltd (AAL) designs and manufactures kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise Look To Hi-tech To Improve Fish Industry
The transnational project, called ‘DisruptAqua', is worth €155,000 and is being supported by the European Union's Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme (NPA) 2014-2020. As the demand for fish is increasing, the innovative use of existing and new technologies is required.
Report Highlights Importance Of Social Enterprises To Scotland's Rural Economy
Social enterprises are a critical part of the rural economy contributing £250m in the Highlands and Islands and South of Scotland areas. This is according to new figures released by HIE and South of Scotland Economic Partnership (SoSEP).
Wellness Tourism: A market you can't afford to miss!
Wellness Tourism is worth over £500bn worldwide, and has grown more than twice as fast as tourism overall. Join us for the latest series of ‘TUNE INTO TOURISM', and explore how you can capitalise on this growing trend.
£465k Digital And Innovation Support Programme Announced
Businesses in the Highlands and Islands looking to develop their use of digital technology and innovation are set to benefit from a new £465,000 support programme. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) announced the investment on Monday 30 September 2019 at a digital collaboration event to launch the refreshed #hellodigital facility in An Lochran, Inverness.EU delegation visit Highland social enterprises
Fourteen delegates from organisations across Europe that are tackling socio-economic challenges will visit the Highlands this week. The visit is part of the next project meeting of the Support Network for Social Entrepreneurs (SuNSE) and will take place during 1-3 October in Inverness and Sutherland.Search Our Site
Information
Useful Links
What's On
Submissions
Newsfeed / RSS
