SFU Applied Sciences innovation showcased at B.C. Tech Summit
From cloud-based gaming and human-like robotic limbs, to life-saving smart apps and more, SFU’s Faculty of Applied Sciences researchers, students and alumni showcased their groundbreaking innovations at the bustling B.C. Tech Summit in the Vancouver Convention Centre, Jan. 18 and 19.
This roundup features some of our highlights from the first annual summit, which saw more than 2,800 entrepreneurs, researchers, students and government come together to discuss the latest tech innovations from B.C.
Source: SFU University Communications
Molescope is a hand held tool that uses a smartphone to monitor skin for signs of cancer. The device is based on research that computing science alumna Maryam Sadeghi conducted during her doctoral studies at SFU and commercialized through her company, MetaOptima Inc., a former SFU Venture Connection client. The product was unveiled at the World Congress of Dermatology in 2015 and is also now available at the consumer level. Molescope enables people to monitor their moles and manage skin health.
SFU researchers led by JC Liu displayed their cloud gaming platform, Rhizome, utilizing the latest hardware support for both remote servers and local clients. The platform takes the first step towards bridging online gaming systems and the public cloud, accomplishing ultra-low latency and resulting in a low power consumption gaming experience.
Their demo shows that gaming over virtualized cloud can be made possible with careful optimization and integration of different modules. They also introduced CrowdNavigation, a complementary service to existing navigation systems that combats the “last mile puzzle” and helps drivers to determine the end of routes.
A research team led by mechatronic systems engineering professors Siamak Arzanpour and Edward Park unveiled a robotic leg prototype that could help wheelchair users walk again. It supports a full range of hip motion, both side-to-side to turn the leg inwards and outwards, and up-and-down to raise the knee. Read more >>
Brainshield™, an impact-diverting decal for sports helmets, is the result of six years of R&D at SFU’s School of Mechatronics Systems Engineering at the Surrey campus. An SFU spinout, Shield X Technology is a current VentureLabs® client company.
Birth Alert, the first ever app-enabled, automatic and wireless contraction-monitoring device, was created by a team of mechatronic systems engineering and business students from the Technology Entrepreneurship@SFU program.
SFU Faculty of Applied Sciences professor Ryan D’Arcy was a panelist at a session titled Industry Deep Dive – Healthcare, moderated by Paul Drohan, CEO, Life Sciences BC, on Jan. 19 at 11 a.m, where he shared how Surrey’s thriving Innovation Boulevard (IB) is progressing. SFU is a founding partner of IB and contributes via the university’s research strengths in health and technology and its focus on health tech innovation. Igor Faletski, CEO of Mobify and an SFU computing science alumnus participated in the “Why BC?” session moderated by Bill Tam, CEO of BCTIA.
