BEST PRACTICE CASE STUDY
SPLASHPLAY LTD
About INDEX
INDEX (Innovation Delivers Expansion) is a unique demand-led innovation voucher scheme led that invites Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to apply for a voucher to purchase academic support from one of the 13 Higher Education Institutions in the West Midlands. The project is funded by Advantage West Midlands (AWM), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Innovation Vouchers allow SMEs to purchase academic expertise knowledge to develop their innovation and enhance their business.
The Innovation Voucher scheme aims to build links between Universities and SMEs to create a demand led approach to innovation.ABOUT THE BUSINESS: Splashplay Ltd
Splashplay Ltd
23 Milburn Road
Kingstanding
Birmingham
B44 0UX
Telephone: 0870 777 4659
Email: sales@splashplay.co.uk
Website: www.splashplay.co.uk
Main Contact: Keith Struch
SplashPlay Ltd is a start-up company and was formed in October 2005 as the result of working and collaborating with various universities to establish viable technologies, acquire business acumen and to build a management structure.
SplashPlay Ltd is a West Midlands based company that works closely with local companies and academic institutions to manufacture the SplashPlay product range. Their first product release will be in spring of 2008 with an initial beta phase for testing and integration that begin during the winter of 2007.
The founding directors are keen but frustrated musicians which led to the concept of the SplashPlay product range. Until now the only way to learn an instrument is either by expensive and time consuming tutoring or from detailed and often complex music notation. SplashPlay offers a means of expediting the whole learning process by using the latest technology namely PDA's, PC's and modern mobile phones (MMS) with Bluetooth or USB connectivity. They aim to harness this technology to make learning music a fun and enjoyable experience.
INNOVATION
Innovation (5) Creative Industries/Digital Media/Software, Media and Communications
THE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
The challenge included designing a PCB for the Splash Play application:
The PCB incorporates a Bluetooth module and a lithium battery that connects to a light panel, that’s to be built by SplashPlay as a separate entity to this project.
The work did not cover PCB manufacture costs and the cost of most of the components.
WORK UNDERTAKEN
4.5 Days to be conducted on site at Staffordshire University
ABOUT THE HEI: Staffordshire University
Staffordshire University
College Road
Stoke on Trent
Staffordshire
ST4 2DE
ABOUT THE ACADEMIC
Greg Powell, Senior Development Engineer, Midlands Electronics Design Centre
In his role as Senior Development Engineer, Greg’s duties include:
Electronic engineering advice & training to small and medium sized UK companies.
Contract specific electronic design work (digital & analogue design, PCB design and embedded software). Hardware Designs include: PC based video compression hardware, Domestic adaptive controller, RF communications alarm system, Medical data logger.
Collaborative projects (Including University collaborations which have won awards).