InnovationLab is about feeling the future. We do this by immersing our customers into simulated future scenarios, energising them to innovate and arrive at practical solutions. Although we are future‐oriented, our definition of the future is “today, tomorrow and thereafter.” We also have a simple view of innovation in that it needs not be something new, it may exist but can be combined in new ways to derive new value for the user. We are not about technological innovation only. We recognise that service innovation, market innovation, process innovation, social innovation and many other different environments where innovation can take place are just as important. We believe everyone has the ability to innovate and as such attach much value to so‐called open innovation where we also rely on grass roots participation, that is people with no formal innovation training.
Our emphasis is on scenario visualisation and serious gaming. In terms of developing new business and social solutions, the user or client and the technology provider are engaging in developing a prototype that consists of a simulated application environment, as well as a technology systems architecture, in a working form. The technology solution can then be refined and the usability aspects improved. The concept is supported by a business architecture and roll‐out plan. In this way new innovative solutions can be fast tracked to the market in the lowest risk environment.
InnovationLab is about to embark on the building of a large virtual demonstrator (see Fig. 1). In this facility real technology solutions will be demonstrated in an innovation showcase, and the application environment simulated in a 360 degree theatre. The theatre is at the same time a studio where activity is recorded in usability study fashion, to ensure the desired human‐technology interface.
We are engaged in the development of computer games to assist users and decision makers to provide energy efficient solutions at home and in communities (see Fig. 2). Here, choices are made about energy efficient end‐user equipment and generation technologies, and the benefits of changing human behaviour regarding energy usage are highlighted in a fun way through gaming.
Figure 1: Visualisation of the virtual demonstrator
Figure 2: Energy efficiency computer game
The development of connected education environments is underway, leading to new ways of bringing world class education to environments where it did not exist before. In such a solution, various education scenarios are simulated and several innovative technologies are visualised in the virtual demonstrator. The solutions have a particular impact on distance education and examination management.
In terms of security solutions,we are focusing on applications that will apply to large sports events, such as the 2010 Soccer World Cup and others. Possible threat situations are simulated around the environments where these events will take place, to test the efficacy of new innovations to counter such threats.
We have recently been engaged in a research project with the Meraka Institute and the Department of Science and Technology to test the nature of software development in South Africa, as part of the National Software Development Capability Initiative. This work included a national web based survey on user and developer trends in software, as well as an international benchmark study of software industries and capabilities in Ireland, the United Kingdom and the European Union. The intended outcome of this project is the creation of a national software ecosystem to be used in further road mapping and policy development in the country.
Our innovation workshops assists clients to understand their own capabilities to innovate better, and address some pressing priorities in their own environments. We ran, amongst others, innovation workshops on the eradication of poverty, the accountant of the future, the bank of the future, the farmer of the future, energy efficient buildings and future manufacturing.
At the moment, we have a team of six people. Our CEO is Joe Manchu. Anthon Botha, executive director, is the innovation specialist. The software team consists of Herman Tulleken, a computer engineer, Moshe Phasha, a multimedia expert and Thezi Ndhlazi, a 3D specialist. In Fig 3 the team is seen working on a board game (which is being developed as a precursor to a computer game) in our knowledge demonstrator facility in The Enterprise Building on The Innovation Hub. Elsie Hlahaswane is our office manager.
Figure 3: The InnovationLab Team (clockwise from left): Herman, Moshe, Thezi, Joe, Anthon and Elsie
