DSEI to Launch 'Innovation Hub' for Disruptive Technologies

The organisers of Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition are launching an 'Innovation Hub' at this year's event, which takes place at ExCel, London in September.

The military has a history of successful technology exploitation, including 'EpiPens', the auto injecting syringes, and microwave ovens - both of which now taken for granted in households around the world. The Innovation Hub will be an opportunity to develop new collaborations and celebrated solutions for prolific application in the future.

The Innovation Hub is supported by jHub, the new Joint Forces Command initiative, to identify and exploit technologies and solutions across a range of applications.

The launch of the MOD's Defence Innovation Initiative last year included the introduction of an £800 million Defence Innovation Fund to enable the delivery of clever new technology. The Defence and Security Accelerator was also established as part of this Initiative to provide a bridge between government, industry and academia and discover and develop innovative solutions to the most pressing requirements.

The Innovation Hub will provide an opportunity for companies and Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs), from a wide range of industries, to demonstrate their emerging technologies. Defence & Security Accelerator, Innovate UK, the Knowledge Transfer Network and techUK will be present to provide guidance on how innovative ideas, not originally envisioned for defence or security, can be applied to meet future challenges in these sectors.

In addition, Accelerator will host a demonstration area in DSEI's Innovation Hub to showcase state-of-the-art equipment in three categories: Big Data, Immersive Training and Sensors; which were developed by winners of the Defence Growth Partnership Innovation Challenge, launched at DSEI 2015.

Dr Andy Powell, Security & Defence Manager, at the Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) said: "At KTN we work with companies across all sectors to help accelerate innovation. The MOD's Defence Innovation Initiative acknowledges that there are many ideas in commercial sectors that can bring significant advantage to Defence and we are delighted to support the DSEI Innovation Hub that encourages companies to engage with Defence."