pro² network+

Infrastructure for Device Production funding call webinar
2024-03-13 10:00 - 11:00 UTC | Zoom
Registration Link

As creators of electronic devices move beyond prototypes to refine and scale up their products, interactions with external stakeholders multiply. Specialist designers, manufacturers, auditors, end users… the list goes on. Managing interactions between these stakeholders requires various tools, techniques, standards and platforms.

We believe that software infrastructure will play an increasingly important role in facilitating these interactions, helping device creators overcome the many barriers to working with other stakeholders as they refine and scale their designs for production.
The pro² Network+ is soliciting exemplars that demonstrate how infrastructure, beyond traditional production manufacturing, can play a role in overcoming the barriers to refining and scaling a device prototype. Infrastructure may include asynchronous or synchronous technologies, potentially leveraging advances in ubiquitous computing, XR (including augmented and virtual reality), the internet of things (IoT), data aggregation and AI, and computer-supported collaborative work (CSCW).
This webinar will provide further information about the call and allow time for interested applicants to have their questions answered. We strongly encourage anyone planning to apply for the call to attend. Please register using the link on the top right of this page to attend on Zoom.
Additional information about the call and the application form can be found on our Funding page.

Exploring the Challenges of Prototyping Interactive Devices with Emerging Technologies and Materials
2024-02-05 10:00 - 13:00 UTC
Many innovative interactive devices are built on emerging technologies and materials that are not traditionally part of the prototyping process, for example, responsive materials that change their state, shape, or form, require novel approaches to control (e.g. flexible electronics), or must operate in non-traditional environments (e.g. underwater or in the body).
While there are numerous tools and processes available to support traditional prototyping (CAD, circuit board layout, additive/subtractive manufacturing) there is far less support when prototyping with emerging technologies and materials. This poses significant challenges for innovators who wish to produce their first prototype, let alone replicate that prototype for testing or larger production.
The goal of this workshop is to explore the challenges innovators are facing when producing ‘non-traditional’ prototypes that include emerging technology and/or materials. We will hear from people who have been through this prototyping process, have small break-out groups to expand our understanding of the challenges, and examine what might be required to address those challenges. We aim to leverage the outcomes of this workshop to generate innovative ideas that can subsequently be funded through our pro² initiative or larger UK, EU, or international consortium.
Speakers for the workshop include:
– Marianna Obrist, Chief Scientific Officer & Co-Founder of OW Smell Made Digital and Professor of Multisensory Interfaces at University College London
– Marc Teyssier, Principal Investigator & Creative Technologist at Pôle Léonard de Vinci
– Paul Worgan, Lecturer in Mechatronics at the University of the West of England
– John Rudin, Founder at Folium Optics, Epinal Ltd, and Iremia Technology Ltd
This workshop is open to people from academia, industry, and hobbyist backgrounds or anybody interested in emerging technologies and materials that may be currently under-utilised: how to create or hack materials, how to access them, how to manipulate them, how to fabricate with them and which processes or equipment may help.
This event is run by the pro² Network+, an EPSRC funded network that aims to democratise digital device production. Our goal is to make it easier for people to make digital devices.
Registration for this workshop is now closed. All questions about the event can be directed to admin@prosquared.org.

Funding Call Webinar Q&A pro² Network+
2023-05-25 11:00 - 12:30 (Europe/London) | Zoom
Following the launch of our first funding call on the theme of ‘Replicability’, we held a question and answer webinar to give prospective applicants the opportunity to find out more about the theme and eligibility, as well as what we’re looking for with this funding.
If you weren’t able to attend the webinar on 25 May, you can now watch the full recording on our Funding page. On that page you can also find all the key information you need to apply.
This call closes on 15 June 2023. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if your question wasn’t answered in our webinar.

pro² Launch
2023-03-27 10:00 - 17:00 UTC | BS8 1QU
The launch event for the pro2 Network+ took place on 27 March in Bristol, attracting academic and industry professionals with expertise in areas including electronics, manufacturing, digital health, business, journalism, inventions, materials and robotics.
Members of the pro2 team delivered presentations on the network’s objectives, which include plans for future events, networking opportunities, and upcoming funding calls to support the democratisation of digital device production.
Digital device makers showcased their production journeys and challenges at the event as well as offering innovative solutions for improving production processes. Feedback following the launch event highlighted that it was a great opportunity for networking with like-minded individuals and organisations.
Read the full story on the pro2 blog.
