The future is on display throughout the Farnborough International Airshow, but perhaps nowhere more than within the Innovation Zone in Hall 3. That’s where some two dozen high-tech companies, university research departments, and research & technology organizations are showcasing technologies and capabilities that will shape tomorrow. Throughout the show, exhibitors are also delivering presentations at the zone’s Briefing Area; schedules are posted at the Information Point, gateway to the displays, said Innovation Zone event manager Megan Miller.
While almost a dozen universities exhibit here, they’re not looking for students, but rather for potential commercial partners that can harness their resources for commercial purposes, or “collaborators looking for research opportunities,” said Dr. Rene Steijl, senior lecturer in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Glasgow’s (UG’s) CFD laboratory. UG seeks to leverage its work on technologies including autonomous vehicles, flight simulations, advanced aerodynamics, and space science, in such ventures.
Commercial exhibitors, meanwhile, seek customers for their technologies. UK-based Cosaw International is demonstrating its Cosaw “self-boarding system” for airline operations, which automates the entire passenger check-in and boarding process. The system will be of interest to airlines, airports and handling agents, said company CFO J. Alberto Martin.
Activity at the Innovation Zone reaches a high point on Futures Day (Friday), when many exhibitors host and present STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) activities.