Siemens creates big data skills lab at Newcastle University

The University this week saw the opening of the MindSphere Lab which will provide students with access to data from a number of projects across sectors including infrastructure, manufacturing, water and energy.

Professor John Fitzgerald, Head of Newcastle University’s School of Computing believes it is vital that researchers, students and industry work together to explore and capitalise on the opportunities of the IoT.

The laboratory will make this data available to improve teaching and research collaborations between academics and industry partners, to uncover new business models, create commercial opportunities through digitalisation.

It is part of Siemens’ MindSphere Innovation Network (MINe) with projects connected to the cloud-based platform from around the world.

Professor Juergen Maier, CEO, Siemens UK, who led the Government’s Made Smarter Review, writes: 

“Using digital technologies to transform business operations is key for the UK to drive competitiveness, improve national productivity and take advantage of the commercial opportunities offered by an increasingly digitalised industry.”

Teams from Siemens will be based on campus to help projects and engage communities by enabling Newcastle and other universities to become hubs for collaborating with local businesses.

“We believe this innovative network is helping universities, business and communities to translate research in to life-changing, real world impact. It is ideal that the latest hub on the MINe is here in a setting as advanced as the Urban Sciences Building and adjacent to the site for the National Innovation Centre for Data,” said Maier.