INTERFACE

It’s good to talk – and vital to listen

We all want products which don’t just work – but work fantastically. To make this a reality, it’s vital to talk to potential users as early as possible. But this crucial step can often be overlooked in the rush to start a project. You also need to listen – and to listen well. (File size: 0.07Mb)

An attractive option?

All wireless technologies have their limitations. Applying the right technology to the right situation requires a fundamental understanding of the physics involved. And it’s an approach that can help find answers to unsolved problems. (File size: 0.04Mb)

In search of the sweet spot

Diabetes is on the increase – along with its serious complications, which are exacerbated by patients failing to comply with their doctor’s advice. Although the use of insulin is effective, it requires the patient to constantly adjust their dose by taking regular blood sugar measurments. Patient ‘non-compliance’ is a common problem. (File size: 0.16Mb)

An eye on the bigger picture

The collection of vast amounts of information is a reality in the 21st century. The ability to get to grips with this torrent of data is crucial. This means not just collecting data but analysing it, extracting the most relevant information, and providing conclusions which might help decision making. (File size: 0.11Mb)

On track to succeed

The recent clash between Apple and Google over whose map is better has shown how important location-aware services have become. The GPS system began life in 1979 as a US military navigation system. But it has one fundamental limit – the signals are too weak to be received reliably indoors. (File size: 0.05Mb)

Communications on the critical list

Emergencies don’t just happen in hotspots – so reliable and secure coverage is vital for the emergency services when it comes to mobile communications. Can critical communications ride the wave of new mobile broadband technology but avoid throwing the baby out with the bathwater when considering their specialised voice requirements? (File size: 0.04Mb)

The tea bag goes high tech

Tea is one of the most popular drinks on the planet – second only to water in the amount consumed. What if it became possible to create a cup of tea that offered the same flavour as the long-established tea-making ritual – without the time and hassle that so often accompanies it? (File size: 0.08Mb)

The magic touch

Brands are big business – but what is it that turns a company name into a global brand? Customers are key, and understanding them and targeting your communication with them is crucial to maximising the uptake of products and creating brand awareness. (File size: 0.03Mb)

Injecting new design

Safety and efficacy are always going to be the two most important things in medical device design. But there’s no doubt that – with users increasingly having more choice of medical devices – aesthetics and ease of use are going to become more important. The piOna auto-injector is a prime example. (File size: 0.08Mb)

Cutting-edge technology

Devices that deskill surgeons, patients who pay and a strong outcome focus – 2030 will see a new type of surgery. The Cambridge Consultants surgical workshop painted an exciting – but challenging – picture of the next 20 years. The picture is exciting for those who respond – and terrifying for those who don’t. (File size: 0.08Mb)

More power to your elbow

From IT rooms to operating theatres, more and more critical equipment depends on 24/7 uninterrupted power conversion. So the spotlight is on the technologies that make this possible. Power electronics systems are now part of the ‘intelligent’ family of equipment around us – and will evolve even more to become a pillar of the modern age. (File size: 1.32Mb)

One small step for a robot…

Medical robotics technology is set to transform the life of the surgeon – and help save the lives of patients. But what new type of robotic surgical technology will appear that advances the devices already in use? Robots that can operate inside an MRI scanner, for example, or robots you can swallow. (File size: 1.36Mb)

Trying to connect you…

With Ericsson predicting 50 billion connected devices by 2020, hopes are high for a future where everyday objects communicate with each other to make our lives easier. But we’ve been promised the connected refrigerator for a long time… (File size: 0.04Mb)

Your most important phone accessory

Healthcare as we know it will not last. Across much of the world, healthcare spending has been rising more rapidly than economic growth since the 1970s. This trend cannot continue. So what will the future hold? (File size: 0.02Mb)

Make it better, do it faster

As the world economy struggles to get into first gear, executives are looking more and more to their innovation teams to provide much-needed growth – often within a shrinking budget. Delivering on these growth aspirations will require many research and development teams to defy the accepted ‘quality-speed-cost’ constraints of innovation. (File size: 0.04Mb)

Kill or cure?

The US is set for a major shake-up in its healthcare system. But little has been said about the effects of reform on the companies responsible for developing and distributing the devices and therapies that make the US the largest buyer of healthcare in the world. (File size: 0.05Mb)

Have the Olympics left their mark?

At Cambridge Consultants we’re particularly interested in the technology legacy of London 2012. It will be some years before we know for sure – but we can still postulate on the possibilities. Olympic athletes have had unparalleled access to innovative technologies to enhance their performance. (File size: 6.57Mb)

The smart way to avoid congestion

One smartphone generates an estimated 35 times the data traffic of a traditional mobile phone, a tablet 120 times and a connected laptop nearly 500 times. And many of us now have several connected devices. So no wonder the airwaves are congested. (File size: 6.15Mb)

The cutting edge of surgery

Imagine a world in which surgeons can treat more patients, using better and faster procedures, at much lower cost to the healthcare provider. Our global healthcare systems are approaching breaking point. If we are to be able to treat our ageing and growing patient populations, the way we deliver case has to change. (File size: 6.16Mb)

Eastern Promise

India is home to a fifth of the world’s population and its economy has been growing at a rate of 7.3% over the past two years. Its middle class is expected to increase to 1.2 billion by 2030 – so it’s no surprise that multinationals are queuing up to establish a strong position in India to fuel their business growth. (File size: 6.18Mb)

Curing the hunchback

When French designers are called in late in the product design game, they say they have to “habiller le bossu” – or, literally, “dress up the hunchback”. Using the skills of industrial designers at an early stage gives a golden opportunity for a company to leapfrog its competition. (File size: 6.35Mb)

Treasure trove or ticking timebomb?

Making money out of data is big business. Even industries where data management is not the core business are exploring whether they can unlock inherent value in their data – for themselves or for others. (File size: 6.21Mb)

The personal touch

Getting an effective drug treatment to a patient at the right time – and avoiding unwanted side effects – is a cornerstone of medical practice. Until now, it has largely been based on a diagnosis of symptoms and a review of the patient’s history. But that’s set to change, thanks to what is known as companion diagnostics. (File size: 6.21Mb)

The highs and lows of recycling

Low cost is a high priority when it comes to everyday devices – particularly in the current economic climate. Whether it’s a television, a computer or a washing machine, consumers expect the maximum bang for the buck – and manufacturers need to drive down costs to maintain their margins. (File size: 6.21Mb)

The dawn of a new era?

Magnetic resonance imaging is generally considered a harmless procedure but it can have serious consequences for patients with implanted medical devices. The real challenge comes for patients who have an active medical implant, such as a pacemaker or neurostimulator. (File size: 6.21Mb)

So near and not so far away…

An elderly woman, living alone, needs to call her carer. Instead of having to use fiddly buttons on her mobile phone, she simply holds the phone near a small sticker on the wall to initiate the call. This is just one example of how near field communication could transform the way we use our mobile devices. (File size: 6.15Mb)

How technology can plug the gap

Electric vehicles are often hailed as the route to a brighter, greener future. But their increasing use is sparking a new debate on the issue of charging – not only how, but when. Smart-charge technology has a crucial role to play in enabling the industry to embrace this potentially disruptive new world. (File size: 6.19Mb)

Shedding new light on innovation

Disruptive products may appear to come from nowhere – but they can often be traced back to significant changes in the science and engineering underpinning existing technologies. When is it the right time to internally drive innovation and when is it appropriate to hedge? (File size: 6.19Mb)

Hindsight is a wonderful thing…

In any market, leadership is no guarantee of future success. Innovations change markets, create new value and deliver competitive advantage – but they can also create significant losers. Being first allows clarity of thought. (File size: 6.23Mb)

The secret of success

How do you get the ‘wow’ factor into a product? What is it that takes a solution to a problem and transforms it into something that users love, need and want? The secret ingredient is design. (File size: 6.25Mb)

Turning red tape into a green light

Whether you’re developing a groundbreaking medical device, a $25 computer or financial services, regulations play an increasing role in specifying what must – or must not – be done. So, as a project manager in charge of the development of a new product, where do you start? (File size: 7.56Mb)