Pioneering university startups on display at the world’s biggest tech show

Tech startups from the University of Southampton will unveil revolutionary AI and quantum technology products at CES 2021 – as the UK’s only university representative.

Innovative technology developed at the University of Southampton is being launched on the world stage from 11th-14th January at CES 2021, as the world’s largest and most influential technology exhibition goes virtual.

Tech entrepreneurs leading eight startups will exhibit at the all-digital expo, showcasing pioneering advances from a range of sectors including Artificial Intelligence, Fitness and Wearables, Quantum Computing, Sports Technology, and Sustainability.

CES usually takes place in Las Vegas and attracts over 170,000 visitors who flock to see the newest technology being showcased by the 4,000+ tech firms in attendance. 2021 sees the event go all-digital, taking the global reach of CES wider than ever before.

Future Worlds, the on-campus startup accelerator at the University of Southampton, will return to CES for a sixth consecutive year as the UK’s only exhibiting university. Eight startups from the University will be interacting with potential customers, investors and tech leaders across the world during the four-day show.

Current University of Southampton startups being exhibited by Future Worlds at CES 2021 are:

Absolar: AI-powered software that simulates solar radiation to inform renewable energy decisions
Aquark Technologies: revolutionary miniaturised cold atom chip for quantum hardware
ArchAI: an AI tool for construction planners to automate archaeology assessments
Inpulse: smart clothing to correct muscle imbalances and improve sports performance
Sentient Sports: AI that assists football managers by predicting how players will perform

They will be joined by three other University of Southampton startups previously supported by Future Worlds:

Aura Vision: revolutionary in-store analytics for offline retailers using existing security cameras, now enabling ‘COVID-secure’ retail

BOON: creators of privacy-first personalised experiences for online retailers

Emitwise: machine-learning software to help speed up the carbon accounting and reporting process for environmentally-conscious companies

Ben Clark, Future Worlds Director, says: “We are very excited as Southampton steps up as the only university representing the UK at CES for a sixth consecutive year. The startups we have selected to exhibit are inspirational future leaders in their field, destined to make a huge change in the world of AI and quantum. More startups than ever before are exhibiting with Future Worlds at this year’s CES, reflecting the immeasurable vision, talent and determination to push through the pandemic to help create a more sustainable, connected and healthy world to come.”

One of the startups exhibiting with Future Worlds is archaeologist turned computer scientist, Iris Kramer, who will present her startup, ArchAI. The AI solution is automating archaeological assessments to accelerate and de-risk lengthy and expensive planning processes for developers, while saving historical sites from unnecessary destruction.

Iris says: “By using our technology over conventional techniques, developers could save tens of thousands in costs, as well as months of time that would be spent surveying land pre-development. Going forward there are wide ranging environmental challenges globally that our world-first technology can address.”

Another exhibitor is neuroscientist, Devon Lewis. Influenced by the population’s need to be more active, he created Inpulse, which produces smart clothing that monitors and enhances muscle control, resulting in considerably improved sports performance and injury recovery.

“The way our nervous system coordinates movements of the body is incredibly complex, and problems can arise at any stage, leading to a huge range of movement disorders,” Devon explains. “Conventional approaches usually seek to identify and improve specific biological issues, but we can use electrical stimulation to bypass these issues and treat everything from minor tremors to complete paralysis without drugs or invasive surgery.”

For more than 50 years, CES has been the global stage for innovation, showcasing the very best products in consumer technology, hardware, content, technology delivery systems and more. It will be taking place 11th – 14th January.

NOTES TO EDITORS

For further information and interview request, please contact Steve Bates, Media Relations Officer, University of Southampton. s.d.bates@soton.ac.uk; 07342 060429

Future Worlds supports University students and staff at every academic stage to change the world with their ideas. From first year undergraduates to professors nearing retirement, aspiring university founders benefit from events, workshops, dedicated space on campus with one to one support and connection to a global network of mentors and investors. Since 2015, hundreds of people have been supported to explore their own journeys, leading to the launch of startups in locations from Sub-Saharan Africa to Silicon Valley, backed by millions of pounds of investment.