Facility is a joint venture between the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University and focuses on the ‘internet of things’ or the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool’s £15m Sensor City project has secured its first tenant after contractors handed over the kets to the facility.

A joint venture between the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University, Sensor City aims to be a world-leading research centre for sensor technology – and is a key component of the wider Knowledge Quarter Liverpool initiative.

Internet of things

Sensors are integral to what has been called the “internet of things” or the “Fourth Industrial Revolution”.

They are increasingly being used in industrial processes to record, store send real-time information via the web. Both Jaguar Land Rover and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital are using the technology locally.

Sensor will also become increasingly common in the home, offering connectivity to traditional domestic appliances.

Work completed

Kier Construction, has now completed works on the 25,000 sq ft project in Russell Street, Liverpool and handed the building over to the Sensor City team, which is currently fitting out the space. 

Fatigue Management International (FMI), which works to improve driver safety through the detection of fatigue via sensor technology, is the first tenant to move into Sensor City.

The company has taken a 344 sq ft suite on the second floor of the building and will use its in-house facilities to drive innovation and trial new products.

Driver fatigue

FMI is focused on the fatigue science market, in particular in the transport, mining and heavy trucking industries.

The company has developed ASTiD, an early warning system designed to help drivers become more aware of their own limitations and of the risk of falling asleep at the wheel.

Dr Joanne Phoenix, business development manager at Sensor City, said: “The practical completion of Sensor City is an exciting milestone, as it allows us to finally open our doors to organisations that are looking to bring their ground-breaking sensor technology ideas to market.”

By offering technical expertise, specialist equipment, business support and an international platform for collaboration, Sensor City will help to promote UK sensor technology globally, working with SMEs and entrepreneurs to create their prototypes and accelerate the process of bringing them to market.

It has received £5m of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and £5m from BEIS, as well as ongoing support from the university partners.

There are 21 flexible suites available to let at Sensor City, ranging from 140 sq ft to 849 sq ft, as well as hot desking and collaborative work spaces.

Cushman & Wakefield is agent on the Sensor City scheme.