Design news

An old person holding hands with a robot arm

New project to create friendly robotic service to support elderly people

A friendly robotic service for preventative care amongst older adults at risk of frailty is to be developed as part of a new collaborative project involving Loughborough University.

Close up of RAAC concrete

Expert explainer: What is Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) and why are people concerned about it?

In the wake of recent news items warning of school buildings in England being at risk of collapse, Professor Chris Goodier, an expert in Construction Engineering and Materials, explains what ‘RAAC’ is, why it is considered a safety risk, and what is being done nationally to address the issue.
An illustration of an EV vehicle charing from a house.

Study to explore if electric vehicles can power homes and help meet the UK’s energy demands while plugged in

Loughborough University is part of a new collaborative project exploring if electric vehicles (EV) could be used to power drivers’ homes and help meet UK energy demands while on charge.

Prototype AR shopping devices could benefit both consumers and retailers – new study

Augmented reality (AR) could change the way we buy clothes in the future.

Exhibition that brings together football related research across Loughborough University launches during the World Cup

Jumpers for Goalposts; Improvisation, Experimentation and Play is an exhibition that brings together art, design, science and football related research from across Loughborough University. Showcasing work from Fine Art, the Sports Technology Institute, Architecture, Design, and Coaching.
Six images of the wheelchair designed by the Aston and Loughborough academics.

Loughborough University expert helps design unique, low-cost rugby wheelchair

The game of wheelchair rugby is being opened up to children in South Africa, thanks to researchers from Loughborough and Aston universities.
An image of Orbit, an interactive robot that aims to teach children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) about emotions and social appropriateness through storytelling, physical interaction, and visual communication. It is dome shaped, and has a smiley face appearance on a screen.

Meet Orbit, the interactive robot that looks to help children with autism spectrum disorders develop social skills

“Hey there. Allow me to introduce you to your new companion, Orbit, a robot you can play with and listen to. Not only can Orbit hear you, they can feel you too.”
Sri Hollema's Mat Zero design

Loughborough graduand designs humanitarian aid kit to help refugees

Product design student Sri Hollema has created Mat Zero, a rechargeable heated mat that can be used as a heating solution for refugees around the world.

Design concept of Flux sculpture, with illustrations of people dotted around

Students and recent alumna collaborate to produce a new sculpture for Loughborough University’s campus

A team of current and recent graduate students from a range of disciplines have been commissioned to produce a sculpture for the Loughborough campus, which will be located at the Claudia Parson’s Hall of residence.

a man swimming

Headset training system Jukes wins LUinc. Sports Tech pitching competition

A training system which enables coaches to communicate with athletes through a headset rather than shouting over distance has won the first Sports Tech pitching competition, hosted by LUinc, the University’s incubator.

New digital platform devised by 12-year-old will help schoolchildren organise their work

A 12-year-old schoolboy has co-created a digital tool that lets pupils catch up on their lessons and homework.
Lewis Naughton and George Clarke in front of converted railway carriage

Loughborough University Architectural Engineering student’s renovation project featured on Channel 4

Lewis Naughton, a student from the School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering, appeared on the Channel 4 show George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces, showcasing his railway carriage renovation project.
Images of 3D bones with implants on them

Bone-building cells favour different orthopaedic implant designs and this can be exploited to create devices that promote faster healing, new study finds

New orthopaedic implant devices that promote faster healing and ultimately reduce the strain on the NHS could be available in the future thanks to new research by Loughborough University engineering experts that reveals which structures best promote bone healing.

New Loughborough research will use Artificial Intelligence to help reduce maternal harm amongst mothers from black ethnic groups

Researchers from Loughborough University are to develop a machine learning system capable of identifying factors that contribute to harm during pregnancy and birth for mothers from black ethnic groups.
Mark Evans

Industrial Designers Society of America honours Loughborough University academic as its first UK-based Fellow

In recognition of an international contribution to design research and education, Dr Mark Evans of the School of Design and Creative Arts has been inducted to the Academy of Fellows of the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA).
U-too by Michael Shaw

Loughborough artist creates striking giant inflatable sculpture that ‘breathes’

Much like a cuttlefish responding to its background, U-too, the latest sculpture by Loughborough University’s Michael Shaw, changes the closer visitors get to it, reflecting their outline and clothing colours.

Woman tying trainers with tech symbols around her

New study to develop smart textiles powered by body movement for remote health monitoring

The global population recently reached 7.8 billion, among which almost 15% suffer from disabilities mainly caused by ageing and chronic diseases.

Image of REACT by Joe Bentley.

Loughborough graduate wins James Dyson Award after designing life-saving device that rapidly stops bleeding from knife wounds

Recent Loughborough University graduate Joseph Bentley has been announced as the 2021 UK national James Dyson Award winner.
Shifa Technologies.

Record nominations for University research and enterprise in LeicestershireLive Innovation Awards

Loughborough University has a record 13 nominations across eight categories in the 2021 LeicestershireLive Innovation Awards, representing pioneering engineering research and dynamic start-ups which have been launched on LUSEP, the University’s science and enterprise park.
Woman sat in front of a fan

Urgent planning on heat and health needed to face climate change trajectory

An international team of leading experts, including academics from Loughborough University, caution that projections of a hotter future require urgent planning and more investment in research to reduce the risks of heat-related disease and death.
The components of AIDE

Student designs smart mobility aid to allow people with dementia to live independently for longer and reduce the strain on the care system

According to Alzheimer’s Research UK, one million people in the UK will have dementia by 2025 and this will increase to two million by 2050.

SERVITA rendering flying over water

Student designs compact lifesaving drone for beach rescue teams after witnessing teenage surfer battle dangerous waves

In 2017, while on holiday with his family in Cornwall, Loughborough University student Dominic Leatherland witnessed a teenager become detached from their bodyboard and pulled out to sea due to rough conditions.

Optic components.

Former competitive swimmer designs pool navigation aid for visually impaired athletes

Since its invention in the 1980s, the ‘tapping method’ has been used to guide visually impaired swimmers in the pool.
Illustration of a building with different energy supplies

New AI system predicts building energy rates in less than a second

At a time when the UK is trying to reach net zero by 2050, the timely, accurate calculation of energy efficiency is a vital component of the design process for new and refurbished buildings.
Illustration of a phone with a vaccine digital passport on it

Vaccine passports: what businesses need to know – and why they should have more say

Imogen, a night club owner from London, hopes that COVID-19 “passports” could help with the return of customers to her venue. But the 42-year-old told us she is not happy about subjecting her customers to additional checks, and has concerns over a lack of clear guidance on their use.