Access system revolutionises security at touch of a fingertip

Mar 25 2010 By John Hill, The Journal

A BIOMETRICS company is the first firm to come through the ranks of a university-backed support initiative which helps innovative businesses link up with design experts.

Killingworth-based iEvo received funding and support to develop a system which can stop unauthorised users operating remote controls for cranes and other heavy machinery.

It is the first firm to pass through the process offered by Design Network North, which links firms up with design companies on its roster.

DNN was set up a year ago and benefits from £857,396 of investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Competitiveness Programme for 2007-13, which is managed by One North East.

DNN is co-ordinated by RTC North and based at the group’s offices in Sunderland.

The project is supported by Knowledge House and Newcastle, Northumbria and Teesside universities. The current round of funding runs until March 2011.

Jamie Ollivere, of RTC North, said: "It’s the first company that’s come through the system. We’ve got another couple coming in the next few weeks.

"We’ve currently got 20 examplar companies coming through the system that have received help and funding. There’s lots of great manufacturing companies in the North East.

"The role of the network is to help those companies that have great ideas but don’t have the resources to get their designs worked up to a resaleable solution.

"We’ve got more than 100 design companies on our roster. These cover all types of design from websites to branding."

DNN invites businesses with ideas to work through a process which will see them pitch to design experts, who will then help them to develop the product to completion.

Killingworth’s iEvo approached DNN last summer and were given funding to work with Newcastle-based product design consultancy e3design.

Richard Parker, of e3design, said: "The challenge for us was to improve the user experience of traditional finger print reading access systems, which are often bulky, cumbersome and with lots of buttons.

"We focused on designing a small ergonomic unit that could house both the reader and cabling."

The iEvo system uses multispectral imaging technology adapted from the healthcare sector to overcome the problems of cold weather, dirt and water which normally plague biometric readers in the building industry. The company, which employs three people, has already signed a deal with radio remote control supplier Ikusi UK.

Shaun Oakes, managing director and founder of iEvo, said: "The interest we have had from major players in the sector is unbelievable and is positive proof that iEvo is set to put biometrics at the forefront of the access security market. Our systems process readings from the finger using nine different formats of light and extracts the image from the surface and subsurface of the skin.

"For added security the reader will read through dirt, grease, rain and even some latex gloves, also making them ideal for use in secure laboratory environments."

DNN is actively seeking new projects, and will soon be moving into the upcoming Northern Design Centre in Gateshead’s Baltic Business Quarter.

The £13m centre will look to push regional firms to win new business at home and abroad.

:: Go to www.designnetworknorth.org, email enquiries@designnetworknorth.org  or call 0191 516 4400.