Projects

We develop new products and services by researching new concepts and technologies through collaboration and co-production. Here are some of our latest R&D projects

Vision for <Country> Energy

Visioning Lab is engaged with multiple government, NGO, academic and private sector stakeholders in the UK to explore what a vision for UK energy would look like and how to connect together the many different parts of UK energy service provision and management.

We are also working on multilingual energy specialist glossaries (in Korean, Chinese, German especially) for different teams and projects.

UK Case Study: An overarching view and vision of how energy moves through the UK provides the basis upon which communication can be facilitated and solutions developed. A UK-defined modern conceptual model of a country’s energy infrastructure incorporating net zero and energy security aspirations alongside an eco-system of service suppliers and product providers also creates an opportunity for UK plc to lead internationally.

Ontology Maker

Words are like nails, they pin systems and process together

Visioning Lab is focused on Ontology Maker, a tool for tackling miscommunication using generative AI tools to develop ontologies (word libraries) that improve team-working and system development.

Activities include:

  • Metaverse ontology : making a glossary to support the sectors converging around the ‘metaverse’ such as gaming, AR/VR, immersive, digital twins and the built environment, , robotics, IoT and drone/UAV development. Exploring how this ontology can support related digital twin, IoT and National Cyber-Physical Infrastructure (NCPI) standardisation initiatives including the Metaverse Standards Forum and the British Standards Institute as well as government departments such as the Central Data and Digital Office (CDDO).
  • Energy ontology: working with key stakeholders and decision makers in the energy sector on developing a shared language. Currently focused on making a multilingual automotive battery energy glossary to support industry integration with the new EU Digital Passport directive.

Other ontologies that we are warming up :

  1. Disaster ontology : a glossary to support the use of disaster terminology particularly in the development of 3D environments and other simulations spaces with an initial focus on flooding. This builds on our Flood Games Initiative where we explored how to connect flooding and 3D specialists to effectively simulate real-world disasters.
  2. Relationship ontology : what if love was the new paradigm for modern society? As cultures around the world search for a new path through environmental degradation, social breakdown, constricting technological structures and the consequent mental health crisis; ‘love’ has potential as a underpinning concept to inform system design. We are exploring how a relationship ontology could ground people’s physical and emotional needs in systems that support social and environmental solutions.

All Visioning Lab projects are collaborations with interested individuals / organisations. If this sound interesting to you, please get in touch

Insects are the new Dinosaurs

Behind the Scenes in the Entomology Department at Manchester Museum
with technologist Rob Black and photographer Francis Prior

Visioning Lab is co-developing with partners both a micro-scanning kit and original IP featuring insects. We want to inspire and enthuse a generation about the beauty of insects and how they are made so we are developing a transformative approach to viewing and studying them.

Join this project at an early stage as partners and stakeholders to go on an incredible journey. Please get in touch

FutureLAB

Visioning Lab run futures thinking workshops and projects aimed at stimulating the imagination to ask what is next, who is shaping it, how can under-represented groups play a role?

3D Flood Games project

Visioning Lab launched a collaboration with flood experts and technologies on how to incorporate real-life flooding data into 3D game/world building environments. We are interested in how 3D virtual models can support flood stakeholder decision making AND provide learning about flood events as entertainment.

The Flood Innovation Panel in West Yorkshire and the Crompton Moor network (First Choice Homes / Oldham Council / City of Trees / Friends of Crompton Moor) were case studies on the project.

AR experiences

Visioning Lab developed and launched PopupView, an augmented reality platform and app for aggregating and showing 3D digital assets and sound via phones and laptops.

Astrojacks Webtoon

Visioning Lab launched two webtoon series pilots, Astrojacks go back to war and Save the last plate for me as entries for the Webtoon.com Call to Action competition.

These pilot episodes showcase the story concept and invite interest from producers and directors to develop the idea further.

Digital Storytelling

Visioning Lab developed a series of soundwalks and digital trails telling the history and experiences of Northern England cultural producers

NFT Collection

Visioning Lab launched a NFT series on Known Origin, a popular digital art NFT platform

Artist collaborations: Speak to me, Speke Hall / Folklore trails at Chorlton Arts Festival

Visioning Lab collaborates with artists to use new concepts and technologies to develop their work