果冻传媒

Smart home technologies are marketed to enhance your home and make life easier. However, UK consumers are not convinced that they can trust the privacy and security of these technologies, a study by WMG, 果冻传媒 has shown.

The 鈥榮mart home鈥� can be defined as the integration of Internet-enabled, digital devices with sensors and machine learning in the home. The aim of smart home devices is to provide enhanced entertainment services, easier management of the home, domestic chores and protection from domestic risks. They can be found in devices such as smart speakers and hubs, lighting, sensors, door locks and cameras, central heating thermostats and domestic appliances.

To better understand consumer's perceptions of the desirability of the smart home, researchers from WMG and Computer Science, 果冻传媒 have carried out a nationally representative survey of UK consumers designed to measure adoption and acceptability, focusing on awareness, ownership, experience, trust, satisfaction and intention to use.

The article published in the top journal PlosOne reveals their results, with the main finding that the the business proposal of added meaning and value has not yet achieved closure from consumers, as they have highlighted concern for risks to privacy and security.

Researchers sent 2101 participants a survey, with questions to assess:

- Awareness of the Internet of Things (IoT)

- Current ownership of smart home devices

- Experiences of their use of smart home devices

- Trust in the reliability and competence of the devices

- Trust in privacy

- Trust in security

- Satisfaction and intention to use the devices in the future, and intention to recommend it to others

The findings suggest consumers had anxiety about the likelihood of a security incident, as overall people tend to mildly agree that they are likely to risk privacy as well as security breach when using smart home devices, in other words they are unconvinced that their privacy and security will not be at risk when they use smart home devices.

It also emerged that when asked to evaluate the impact of a privacy breach people tend to disagree that its impact will be low, suggesting they expect the impact of a privacy breach to be significant. This emerges as a prominent factor influencing whether or not they would adopt smart home technology, furthermore making it less likely.

Other interesting results highlight:

- More females than males have adopted smart home devices over the last year, possibly as they tend to run the house and find the technology helpful

- Young people ages 18-24) were the earliest adopters of smart home technology, however older people (ages 65+) also adopted it early, possibly as they have more disposable income and less responsibilities – e.g. no mortgage, no dependent children

- People aged 65 and over are less willing to use smart home devices in case of unauthorised data collection compared to younger people, indicating younger people are less aware of privacy breaches

- Less well-educated people are the least interested in using smart home devices in the future, and that these might constitute market segments that will be lost to smart home adoption, unless their concerns are specifically addressed and targeted by policymakers and businesses.

Dr Sara Cannizzaro, from WMG, 果冻传媒 comments:

鈥淥ur study underlines how businesses and policymakers will need to work together to act on the sociotechnical affordances of smart home technology in order to increase consumers鈥� trust. This intervention is necessary if barriers to adoption and acceptability of the smart home are to be addressed now and in the future.

鈥淧roof of cybersecurity and low risk to privacy breaches will be key in smart home technology companies persuading a number of consumers to invest in their technology.鈥�

Professor Rob Procter, from Computer Science, 果冻传媒, adds:

鈥淏usinesses are still actively promoting positive visions of what the smart home means for consumers (e.g., convenience, economy, home security). However, at the same time, as we see from our survey results, consumers are actively comparing their interactional experiences against these visions and are coming up with different interpretations and meanings from those that business is trying to promote.鈥�

A current problem for a wide range of chemists is when stirring a solution in the laboratory there is a need to check the properties of the solution and monitor how they change.

In the paper, 鈥� published in the journal ACS Sensors, researchers from the School of Engineering, the Mathematics Institute and WMG at the 果冻传媒 present their innovative stirrer sensor.

The small device, called 鈥淪mart Stirrer鈥�, performed a function of a conventional laboratory stir bar, has an integrated microprocessor and various sensors capable of wireless and autonomous report the conversion of properties of a solution. The advanced sensor stir bar is a capsule shaped magnet encased in plastic.

A beaker filled with a solution is placed on a platform that generates a rotating magnetic field, when the magnetic stirrer is placed in the solution it continuously rotates stirring the liquid.

The Smart Stirrer then monitors:

- Colour

- Transparency

- Conductivity

- Viscosity

- Temperature

Results are sent to a computer over Bluetooth, and any changes notify the user wirelessly. Although the idea of using magnetic stir bar with integrated sensors may not be entirely new, this new affordable, multi-sensor and easy programmable stirrer sensor device is first in its kind.

The concept is valuable to Research and Design laboratories and pharmaceutical and chemistry manufacturing industries because it allows wireless monitoring of several parameters of a chemical reaction simultaneously

Dr Dmitry Isakov, Assistant Professor at WMG, 果冻传媒, from WMG at the University who led the study comments:

鈥淲e are still continuing research into the stirrer, the next revision of the stirrer sensor that will be smaller size and with a bit more sophisticated sensors. We are collaborating with several chemists from 果冻传媒 University. This will help us to understand their needs and help to improve the device.

鈥淭he beauty of the Smart Stirrer is that it can be used everywhere, such as a sealed vessels thus minimising the contamination of the reactor. It may give a push to new discoveries as well. It is easy to integrate the stirrer into the labware family and make it 鈥渟peak鈥� to other lab equipment.鈥�

Samuel Baldwin, from the Mathematics institute at the 果冻传媒 worked on the smart stirrer during his WMG summer internship, he comments:

鈥淚 have found every stage of development of the Smart Stirrer to be very fulfilling, from circuit design, to manufacturing to finally programming. We have leveraged state-of-the-art technology to build a device with very low power consumption, a broad range of sensor capabilities, and high data-throughput over the Bluetooth Low Energy platform.

鈥淭he laboratory of the future is that of automation, reproducibility and safety; our all-in-one Smart Stirrer device eliminates the need for a vast array of individual wired sensors whilst maintaining the control and customisability that one would expect from any piece of advanced laboratory equipment. I look forward to seeing the Smart Stirrer solve laboratory problems and help us understand complex reactions.鈥�

NOTES TO EDITORS

High-res images available at:

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/july_2020/smartstirrer.jpg

Caption: Demo of how the Smart Stirrer works.
Credit: WMG, 果冻传媒

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/july_2020/smartstirrercartoon.jpg

Caption: Demo of how the smart stirrer works – Cartoon version

Credit: WMG, 果冻传媒

Paper available to view at:

Talented educators from WMG have been recognised with accolades as part of the 果冻传媒 Awards for Teaching Excellence (WATE) and 果冻传媒 Awards for Personal Tutoring Excellence (WAPTE) respectively.

Announced during the week commencing 14^th July, three WMG staff members were recognised for their outstanding contributions to teaching and innovative approaches to supporting students, including Senior Teaching Fellows Shaheen Charlwood (WATE winner) and Andrew Hood (WATE commendee), as well as Nigel Denton, Deputy Senior Tutor (WAPTE winner).

果冻传媒 Awards for Teaching Excellence

Chaired by Professor Christopher Hughes, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education), and including a diverse selection panel from across the University, 果冻传媒 Awards for Teaching Excellence (WATE) recognises the work of University staff as they strive to enhance, improve and expand the institution鈥檚 teaching and learning offering.

Winners receive a 拢5,000 injection into their respective department鈥檚 budget, whilst commendee departments receive 拢2,000. Shaheen Charlwood said:

鈥淢y best teachers have shown me that learning is inclusive and made me feel like I belong, so I am always very careful never to act in a way that might be perceived as elitist and to make students comfortable enough to take steps outside of their comfort zone.鈥�

Winners will be awarded with their certificates at a Degree Congregation, and commendees will receive their awards at a celebration reception.

All University staff and current students can make a nomination for the award, so long as the prospective nominee teaches, supports students, enhances the student learning experience and supports colleagues.

果冻传媒 Awards for Personal Tutoring Excellence

Also recognising good practice, effort and dedication across the institution, the 果冻传媒 Awards for Personal Tutoring Excellence (WAPTE) highlights the efforts of staff members in helping students through personal tutoring as a support mechanism.

Nigel Denton, Deputy Senior Tutor, was announced a WAPTE winner alongside just two other University staff members, including exemplary individuals from the Centre for Applied Linguistics and the Centre for Teacher Education. Nigel said:

鈥淚 take a leading role in the student induction process and encourage students to engage with the support and opportunities available at 果冻传媒 from the start of their degrees. I have a strong focus on employability and have developed links between the Careers Team and Personal Tutors to help students develop their career choices."

Visit this page to find out more about the 果冻传媒 Awards.

(Wellesbourne, 果冻传媒shire, UK – 23 July 2020) – Today, announces a dedicated and specialist advanced technology centre, which will also be home to a new headquarters for the company鈥檚 engineering consultancy.

Located on the 果冻传媒鈥檚 Wellesbourne Campus, the new facility is established in partnership with WMG at the 果冻传媒. WMG is an international leader in successful collaboration between academic research, teaching, training, and industry. The substantial facility consists of offices, workshops and laboratory space with ample space for expansion.

Initially, 130 engineers will move in, complementing the 500-strong engineering team at the home of Lotus Cars in Hethel, Norfolk.

Matt Windle, Executive Director, Engineering, Lotus Cars, said:

鈥淭his is a big step forward for Lotus and our engineering consultancy.  The new space, facilities and job opportunities at Wellesbourne will be in great demand as we rapidly build our portfolio of external projects. Our team and specialist skills have grown significantly in the last two years as renewed impetus has been put in to the business with new shareholders and management. The all-electric Evija hypercar is the first new Lotus Cars product for us to deliver, with significant focus on this at Wellesbourne as we complete the project and continue to advance its technologies for our future programmes.鈥�

Phil Popham, CEO, Lotus Cars, added:

鈥淲ellesbourne offers an excellent facility, with plenty of expansion potential, and will be the perfect home for our new advanced technology centre. Our engineering and R&D strategy around advanced propulsion systems is lock-in-step with the Government鈥檚 vision and broader global ambitions for a low-carbon automotive future. We look forward to working in collaboration with Government and with our new campus neighbours on this future. Having research partners at the University and WMG will bring significant benefits, as will the Midlands location, which is both very accessible and home to a rich pool of automotive talent.鈥�

Nadhim Zahawi MP, the UK Government鈥檚 Business and Industry Minister, said:

鈥淭he West Midlands has long been the beating heart of the UK鈥檚 automotive and engineering industries, and this announcement is further evidence that this proud history will continue. Lotus鈥� new advanced technology centre will secure over 100 highly-skilled jobs in 果冻传媒shire, support a strong economic recovery across the region and drive forward the low carbon, electric technologies of the future.鈥�

Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor of the 果冻传媒, said:

鈥淲e are delighted to welcome this key part of such a significant and legendary technology based company to the University and our Wellesbourne campus. This is just the beginning of a partnership. I know that it will grow, thrive, and bring prosperity and new opportunities to both 果冻传媒shire and the West Midlands, and will call on and benefit from the significant automotive and technology skills and talents of many people in our region.鈥�

Margot James, Executive Chair, WMG, comments:

鈥淭his is wonderful news not only for WMG, the 果冻传媒 and the region, but also for the UK automotive sector. The UK needs to retain R&D capability in our manufacturing sector, and at WMG we are working with partners on many R&D programmes which are focused on innovation and future growth towards net zero. We look forward to collaborating with Lotus on projects which seek to create a greener, more connected future鈥�.

Cllr Tony Jefferson, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council, says:

鈥淭his is really good news for the Wellesbourne campus, Stratford-on-Avon District and the region as a whole. We are totally committed to supporting the development of the Wellesbourne campus. We see it as a major asset for both Stratford-on-Avon District and the region and we welcome the addition of 130 skilled roles to the District. We look forward to the future development of the campus.鈥�

Lotus Engineering, which celebrates 40 years since its incorporation in 1980, works with customers all over the world. The confidentiality of its work is paramount with strict firewalls in place between project teams. Some of the more widely acknowledged Lotus Engineering programmes from the past include the Lotus Carlton, Tesla Roadster, multiple Formula 1 campaigns, and a host of products outside of the auto industry from Olympics track bikes (2020 and 1992) to boats and light aircraft. Today, Lotus Engineering鈥檚 specialisms include vehicle dynamics and advanced propulsion systems, encompassing lightweight structures, ride, handling and performance.

WMG Centre High Value Manufacturing Catapult, with support from , has created a series of short educational videos to help explain the process of transport electrification.

There are a total of three episodes featuring WMG鈥檚 Electric Vehicle experts Professor David Greenwood, Research Fellow Faduma Maddar, and Dr Mel Loveridge.

In each episode, the experts explain more about the research carried out at WMG鈥檚 Energy Innovation Centre and address the key issues surrounding an electric future.

The videos will now be shared with policy makers, and schools across Coventry and 果冻传媒shire to help support STEM learning.

The three episodes can be found in WMG鈥檚 Electric Vehicle playlist .

  has, today, published it's 2019/2020 Annual Review.

Archie MacPherson, CEO, WMG Centre High Value Manufacturing Catapult commented: 鈥淭he High Value Manufacturing Catapult Annual Review 2019/20 highlights how WMG and the other six centres are delivering real impact for the UK economy – contributing to 拢518m of industry R&D investment.

"This past year has seen many opportunities arise, for instance, the increasing emphasis on green manufacturing and journey to Net Zero transport. A leader in electrification for all sectors, WMG worked closely with industry innovators to accelerate this journey, including a collaboration with Nissan to develop a process for recycling and reusing EV batteries.

"As well as these exciting prospects, we have also seen many challenges this year, including the seismic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This Annual Review is a testament to our manufacturing sector, and highlights several outstanding examples that WMG are proud to have supported, from helping a firm develop life-saving ventilator products, to aiding the production and distribution of PPE to the frontline.

"As we look ahead, there are bound to be more difficulties to come as we begin on the road to recovery, but this Review demonstrates the invaluable role of the HVM Catapult, to help us emerge stronger. We remain committed to helping to restart our manufacturing economy, support the opportunity to enable business to reposition and transform with the opportunities for a more digital, decarbonised and sustainable future.鈥�

Download a copy of the Annual Review .

As the government has announced proposals to ban the sale of petrol, diesel and hybrid cars by 2035 the race to electrify the motor industry is on, and motorbikes aren鈥檛 to be overlooked.

This has inspired 25 students from a range of Departments including: WMG, School of Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Law and Maths to work together to make Aurora, an electric superbike with thanks to support from WMG and the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult team at WMG.

The superbike, Aurora, will be raced when appropriate after the Coronavirus pandemic, however the students have been working hard at home, and have finalised their designs for the bike.

Congratulations to WMG Professor of Connected and Automated Mobility Systems, Mehrdad Dianati, who has been appointed as Field Chief Editor for journal.

As an esteemed expert within autonomous vehicle research, Professor Dianati was appointed to define the overall scope and reputation of the journal, and provide key support and guidance to the editorial board.

As Field Chief Editor, he will also be tasked with creating a community of future transportation researchers and ensure their work is fully represented in key publications.

Commenting on his new role, Professor Dianati said: 鈥淎s the transport systems become more complex and multifaceted cyber-physical systems, multi-disciplinary and innovative approaches to dissemination of the scientific and technological innovations are crucial to transform the ways that scientists impact the society.

鈥淔rontiers in Future Transportation focuses on providing a state-of-the-art open access platform to maximize the impacts of the cutting-edge scientific and technological innovations that will transform the future of transport and mobility systems. Our ambition is to facilitate a timely, constructively selective and high-caliber peer review process through our distinguished multi-disciplinary and international editorial board to ensure high-quality publications with a wide reach and impact.鈥�

 Find out more about Professor Dianati鈥檚 research at WMG here.

The WMG Battery School, supported by the and , will take place, from 14^th to 18^th September, for key industry personnel.

WMG battery experts will facilitate a mix of live lectures and pre-recorded practical hands-on-sessions, virtually, over the five days.

The lectures will cover manufacturing Lithium batteries, module and pack design, electrical testing and ageing, battery management systems, safety and abuse testing, forensic characterisation and battery end of life.

Meanwhile the practical, pre-recorded in the Energy Innovation Centre, lab sessions, will focus on microscopy; electrode mixing and coating; pouch and cylindrical cell fabrication; cell and module testing; and forensics.

Find the full lecture and demo programme and register your interest here or by email: WMGShortCourses@warwick.ac.uk

WMG, at the 果冻传媒, are delighted to be supporting a new West Midlands India Partnership (WMIP), which aims to enhance UK-India relations and boost tourism, trade and investment between the West Midlands and India.

The Partnership, which launched on 26^th June 2020, will support the region鈥檚 long-term economic growth plans by developing stronger links and opportunities for collaboration as part of a five-year programme of activity with the Indian market.

Led by the West Midlands Growth Company, this new initiative has been developed in partnership with Invest India, the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Consulate General of Birmingham office.

Margot James, Executive Chair, WMG took part in the launch and comments:

鈥淲MG and the late Professor Lord Bhattacharyya were instrumental in many large-scale inward investments, nurturing UK and India partnerships, such as the acquisition of Jaguar Land Rover by Tata, from which the West Midlands has benefited hugely. Our region has a strong heritage, close cultural links, and great business collaboration with India, but it is important to look to the future.

I welcome the new West Midlands India Partnership. The key word is partnership. We must recognise that both parties have something valuable to bring to the collaboration. Both the West Midlands and India have strengths to offer the other, and we need to build connections to create awareness of those strengths.

The West Midlands has incredible research strength, and a powerful capability through clusters of excellence in engineering, manufacturing and digital technology. India has a superb research and technical capability, for example the Indian Institutes of Technology and the Indian Institutes of Management. These assets work alongside innovative, forward thinking businesses including Tata, TVS, Wipro, Infosys and Mahindra.

I am delighted that WMG will continue to help build a strong West Midlands-India relationship, alongside the Mayor's office, the Indian Consulate and the West Midlands growth Company. When we work together, we all benefit.鈥�

The WMIP will be governed by two separate boards comprised of senior stakeholders, leaders and representatives. The Advisory Board, of which WMG is a member, will be responsible for the strategic direction of the Partnership, providing advice and guidance to the Executive Board, which will shape the planning and delivery of the programme鈥檚 activity.

Dr. Jason Wouhra OBE, Chair of the West Midlands India Partnership, said:

鈥漈he West Midlands India Partnership is a confident step forward at a time when building resilient, productive economies is key. Through the Partnership鈥檚 long-term strategy, we aim to identify opportunities for both Indian and local businesses to trade, innovate and grow."

Neil Rami, Chief Executive of the West Midlands Growth Company – which aims to attract investment, jobs and visitors to the region, added:

鈥淭he region already has a strong track record of organic success derived from the Indian market. Launching the West Midlands鈥� first formal India Partnership will unlock even greater opportunities for growth across trade, education and the visitor economy. It presents a major opportunity for both the UK and India to advance our national missions.鈥�

Lakshmi Kaul, Head & Representative – UK at Confederation of Indian Industry, added:

鈥淭he West Midlands is a melting pot of cultures, diversity and business excellence - the region is important for Indian industry as a hub of innovation and research. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is pleased to support the West Midlands by working alongside the Partnership to amplify business-to-business, as well as the people-to-people connection, while also addressing the economic growth and recovery roadmap.鈥�

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, added:

鈥淭he West Midlands鈥� innovation-led Industrial Strategy alongside the scale and ambition of India鈥檚 manufacturing, life sciences and technology sectors presents a major opportunity for world-class industry collaboration, helping to attract significant investment and create new, local jobs.

鈥淭he West Midlands India Partnership will bring together some of the best talent and capabilities to not only stimulate cross-market trade, but to help address shared social and economic challenges faced by the UK and India. I am delighted we have been able to secure this Partnership, which represents a further strengthening of the already excellent ties between our region and India.鈥�

To find out more about the West Midlands India Partnership or to sign up as a partner, please visit

View the launch