A new high-tech digital hub designed to help people access essential services has opened at the University of Bedfordshire’s Luton campus.
The facility, known as PlacePod, is a self-contained immersive space that combines video collaboration, virtual reality and interactive touch technology. It has been set up to act as a one-stop digital access point for community services, including citizen self-service tools, health and wellbeing information and even virtual reality sports coaching.
Backers say the project is aimed in part at residents who may be digitally excluded, offering a secure and easy-to-use physical space where they can access services online without needing their own equipment or confidence with technology.
The initiative is a partnership between the University of Bedfordshire, dbfb Communications and immersive technology firm Quintessence. It has been supported by funding from the South Midlands Growth Hub through a Driving Innovation Grant and builds on a memorandum of understanding signed between the organisations last year to create student opportunities and explore innovation research.
Dr Edward Braund, head of the School of Computing, Engineering and Creative Industries at the university, said the project forms part of its wider Luton AI programme.
“PlacePod is part of the University of Bedfordshire’s Luton AI programme, using advanced digital technologies to deliver real, positive impact for people and communities,” he said, adding: “It provides a real-world environment where innovative digital and AI-enabled research can be developed and tested, while supporting our Career-Powered Education approach by bringing students, researchers and partners together to turn ideas into practical, inclusive solutions.”
By hosting the PlacePod on campus, the university says it is strengthening links between research, industry and the local community. The space will allow partners to test and refine digital services in a real-world setting, including potential AI-powered tools focused on creating safe and connected community spaces.
Stuart Smith, head of public sector and innovation at dbfb Communications, said: “As we are all living longer, there is an increased strain on local authorities, care and health sectors, and a potential solution to the oncoming crisis is to provide more digital resources within local communities as part of the NHS 10-year plan.
“Project PlacePod aims to provide a one-stop shop of integrated digital community pods, embedded with citizen self-service, health and wellbeing resources, that are easily accessible for people including those that may be digitally excluded.
“This is just one of a myriad of potential use cases that place the latest digital technology in the hands of those that need it, closer to where it is needed, so that we can deliver better outcomes for people, businesses and the community. We are privileged to partner with the University of Bedfordshire, South Midlands Growth Hub, Quintessence and other stakeholders to help drive innovation, fuel growth and improve lives locally.”
Rob Bosher, managing director of Quintessence Ltd, said: “The lines between the virtual and physical world are becoming increasingly blurred, and with the explosion of Data and AI insights, the spaces we use daily need to become more intuitive, visual and immersive. Project PlacePod enables the latest digital tools and insights, to be presented to safe physical spaces, so that AI tools and data insights can be harnessed on the front line to create better outcomes and improve lives.
“The partnership with dbfb and the University of Bedfordshire allows us to explore the latest technology as part of a wider ecosystem, whilst ensuring that it is strengthened by the latest academic research, enabling cutting edge innovation to deliver maximum impact, whilst also promoting student opportunity.”
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