Future Worlds at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show

Future Worlds, a start-up platform and incubator at the University of Southampton, will be showcasing products to a global audience at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week (6-9 January).

Future Worlds will be demonstrating an innovative lighting technology called CurveStar and a long range wireless motion capture system called SharkStream and is looking for US mentors and investors interested in joining the Future Worlds network.

An exciting new platform from Electronics and Computer Science and the Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, Future Worlds brings together aspiring staff and student innovators with entrepreneurs and industry experts. It comprises a web platform, an impressive network of mentors and a product incubator. Mentors include Chris Broad director of Apple Europe, Mike Payne founder of Solidworks and Shirin Dehghan who made an $85m cash exit from her startup Arieso in 2013.

The web platform includes professionally shot videos from start-ups and mentors as well as details of networking events and funding opportunities. By surrounding aspiring entrepreneurs with high calibre support and investment, the initiative is helping grow a west coast US style start-up culture on the south coast of the UK.

Dr Wilcock said: “The UK has less than one per cent of the world’s population yet we produce 16 per cent of all top quality published research. Growing a thriving start-up culture is the best way to help leading innovators change the world with their ideas and Future Worlds is making this happen.â€?

Recently patented by the University of Southampton, CurveStar is a new lightweight and collapsible geodesic lighting system that can be used to create impressive lighting structures, such as conveying clothing texture in online stores, interactive digital Chandeliers and spectacular lighting installations.

Motion capture technology has accelerated in recent years to develop exciting applications in the entertainment, sports and medical industries. SharkStream’s belt-mounted control unit connects to 16 miniature sensors before sending them to a USB receiver, allowing a person’s movements to be visualised on a computer. SharkStream has applications in film making, video games, performance sports and many other industries.