2012 International Innovation Award winners revealed

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has announced the winners of its 2012 Innovation Awards, which included projects such as a titanium nail used for diagnosing broken bones and a robot that detects and repairs damaged transmission wires.

The awards recognised the most innovative companies operating within a wide variety of engineering and technology disciplines, with winners announced in 15 categories including a special category on Sports Technology (introduced specifically for the Olympic year), Emerging Technologies, Built Environment, Telecommunications and Healthcare Technologies.

The 2012 IET Innovation Awards attracted entries from 25 countries, offering industry innovators worldwide an opportunity to demonstrate their innovation and imagination as they tackle their own local, economic and social challenges.

The awards culminated in an awards ceremony last night at The Brewery, London, hosted by world champion and Olympic swimmer Mark Foster.

Professor Andy Hopper, president of the IET, commented, “These awards continue to showcase some great technological innovations being created across the world. Each help solve some of our biggest economic and social issues to deliver a brighter future, which is why I am very proud that the IET Innovation Awards cut straight to the core goal for the IET - advancing collaborative knowledge to enhance peoples’ lives.”

The 2012 IET Innovation Award winners included:

Asset Management – Hydro-Quebec

LineScout - high voltage overhead line robotic inspection and repair platform



Built Environment – University of Leeds, Susiephone, Ordnance Survey, 1Spatial Ltd, ESRI(UK), Symology, UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR), the VAULT Steering group and the VISTA consortium

VAULT: The Scottish Community Apparatus Data Vault - real-time integrated utility and underground asset data



Embedded and Critical Systems Bombardier – Transportation

TrackSafe, a system to improve safety and productivity for railway track workers



Emerging Technologies – Neul

Wide area wireless networks in TV white space that will enable the internet of things



Information Technology – Actual Experience

Improving the global digital experience, unlocking important economic, social and environmental benefits



Measurement in Action – LUX-TSI

eyeLIGHT optical radiation safety software platform



Power / Energy – Arago Technology

Arago insulating cross arms for transmission towers



Sustainability – Highview Power Storage

Cryo Energy System - pilot demonstrator



Transport – Network Rail & First Scotrail

Paisley Canal ‘low cost’ electrification

The IET Innovation Awards 2012 received support from sponsors ABB, Accenture, Altran, D Young & Co LLP, Lloyd’s Register, Mathworks, National Grid and NPL.