E&T Innovation Awards 2020: shortlist of finalists announced
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The shortlist for the E&T Innovation Awards 2020 has been announced, celebrating people, projects and organisations revolutionising our world through excellence in engineering and technology.
The E&T Innovation Awards give global recognition to those who are creating innovative and creative solutions, which are delivering a return - whether that be in sentiment, sales, engagement, behaviour or actions - that meets essential key objectives.
The companies and projects shortlisted for the awards this year comprise nearly 70 finalists, all of whom put forward compelling solutions to many of the world's most pressing problems. The judges were impressed by every entry, making the job of selecting winners in each category extremely challenging.
Issues tackled by the award entrants include the environment; connected and autonomous vehicles; cutting-edge robotics; artificial intelligence; new energy solutions for the grid network; greater mobility for the disabled, and, inevitably, the coronavirus pandemic and engineering for a post-Covid world.
Companies shortlisted for the various category awards are: University of Portsmouth and Chailey Heritage Foundation; Shadow Robot Company; Aidoc Medical; The University of Queensland; 4Blind; NG Bailey; PVStop International Pty Ltd; Open Energi; Pascall and Kemp; UK Power Networks; Darwin College, University of Cambridge; JHubMed; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; 3D Microfluidics LLC; TG0; Aidrivers; Mid UK Recycling; Williams Advanced Engineering; National University of Singapore/Ecoline Solar; Vertical Aerospace Ltd; Magway; Hogen Systems Ltd; JHubMed, Defence Medical Academy, Microsoft and KBR; Durham University; University of Strathclyde; BT; Sternum; Tricerion Limited; Electronices of the Future, Inc; Northumbria University; Shadow Robot; Boston University; XAG; Bar-Ilan University; Archimedes Research Limited; Shadow Robot; University of Cambridge; MTR Corporation Limited; Ocado Robots; Emblation FEA; BAE Systems Maritime; Nanyang Technological University; Archimedes Research Limited; MTR Corporation Limited; Vertical Aerospace Ltd; Novosound; FeTu Limited; Bar-Ilan University; Oldalone UK; Emerson; OxVent (University of Oxford/ Kings College London/ Smith & Nephew); Ventilator Challenge UK; AyeAI Consulting; Versarien PLC; Oreoluwa Griffiths.
Categories for the 2020 Awards are as follows:
- Outstanding Innovation in Digital Health and Social Care
- Outstanding Innovation in Future Power & Energy
- Outstanding Innovation in Communications & IT
- Outstanding Innovation in Manufacturing 4.0
- Visionary Award for Sustainable Planet
- Visionary Award for Protecting Society & Saving Lives
- Excellence in Cyber Security
- Excellence in R&D
- Excellence in Intelligent Systems
- Excellence in Model-Based Engineering
- Excellence in Creating a Smarter World
- Future Unicorn
- Best Diversity and Inclusion Impact
- Small idea Big Impact: Global Challenge
- Tech For Good
- Leader of the Year
Further details about the categories and finalists are available online, including information about the judging panel, the panel chair and the criteria used to sift entries and select a winner.
The winners of each category will be announced at the virtual ceremony, to be held online at 4pm on 19 November 2020. Registration to watch the ceremony is free.
Commenting on the shortlisted finalists, Dickon Ross, editor-in-chief at E&T Magazine, said: “Innovation is the bread and butter of E&T, our focus for features in print and news online. I'm always amazed at the ingenuity of engineers to bring brilliant new ideas to everyday use.
“In this year of a pandemic, engineering has been crucial in saving lives and technology has helped to keep us sane. In the future, as we look beyond these troubling times, both will be crucial to a green recovery and a new working experience. We'll see some of these exciting contributions get the recognition they deserve in this year's Innovation Awards.”
The Advisory Board for the E&T Innovation Awards is made up of thought leaders from industry, academia, government, consultancies and brands. The Board plays an important role in setting the strategic direction of the Awards, providing expert opinion and independent guidance to ensure the E&T Innovation Awards remain current, relevant and engaging with the purpose of celebrating the very best in innovation in engineering and technology. Further details about the Advisory Board are available online.
Dr Larissa Suzuki, honorary associate professor at UCL and chair of the judges in the 'Innovation in R&D Category', said: “Innovation in R&D provides benefits to mankind in all aspects our lives. It promotes the sharing of ideas and information and is the driving force behind the new creations that will provide more efficiency, security and sustainability needed for a better world.
“The E&T Innovation Awards will provide an unparalleled opportunity to showcase and demonstrate the innovations that will change the world.”
Previously known as the IET Innovation Awards, the Awards have been rebranded for 2020 as the E&T Innovation Awards. E&T Magazine is IET’s award-winning monthly print title and accompanying website for professional engineers. The Awards are intended to align the magazine's award-winning content with a celebratory event recognising the amazing innovations happening around the world.
Nike Folayan, chair of the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers and the chair of judges for the 'Diversity & Inclusion Category' said: “There is a clear and positive link between diversity and innovation. Multiple studies have shown that diversity enhances creativity and provide better products and services that reflect the communities they serve.
“The E&T Innovation Awards will demonstrate the importance of diversity to achieve more innovative outcomes.”
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