As consultants, we’re expected to be ahead of the curve – to know about the latest innovations and advise our clients on how they could be applied to their transport projects. But what’s the best way to develop this knowledge? Tech Cells – an approach inspired by innovation hubs – offer us a refreshing way of learning by working in a collaborative, entrepreneurial manner.
Tech Cells are small groups of people who come together for between one and three months to develop their knowledge of a particular emerging technology. They work on topics that interest them, and which WSP has also identified as important to the market. Backed by internal investment from WSP, this typically involves learning, research, building proof-of-concept demonstrators and writing a technical paper that is shared with industry.
The Tech Cell process for participants
- Carry out preliminary research into what is already known
- Decide research topic and formulate preliminary research questions
- Finalise topic and decide methodology
- Submit research proposal to gain approval and internal investment
- Carry out analysis and data processing, using cloud-based technology
- Write up research to create a high-quality, thoroughly referenced report
- Submit report to meet deadline
- Promote the work internally and externally
Some topics are nearfield, such as machine learning. While it’s something everyone’s already talking about, we’re running a Tech Cell to understand exactly how it can be applied to transport projects.
Other topics, such as quantum computing, are further from practical application. So, in this case, our Tech Cell tracks the research being done into this disruptive technology, gaining knowledge about tools for developing programme languages for quantum computing and tracking development.
Artificial intelligence is another big area- we are exploring how semantic and symbolic understanding capabilities will drive artificial intelligence (AI) and help it understand the nuances of human behaviour. We are imagining a future ambient experience where physical and digital are intertwined so travellers shift to a more natural, intuitive experience for mobility.
Tech Cell case study: using machine learning to identify safe on-slip merges
The objective of this Tech Cell is to measure the impact of autonomous vehicle operations while merging from slip roads onto high-speed roads with traditional vehicles. The Tech Cell focuses on developing knowledge in applying video analytics and machine learning to measure individual vehicle speed profiles and distances between vehicles. It is due to publish a paper in 2022.
Developing knowledge in this way means, as consultants, we’re not reliant on current projects to learn new things. Instead, we’re already ahead of the game for future projects. We are, literally, Future Ready, and at the forefront of the rapidly evolving landscape of digital technology.
It also means we’re providing exciting learning and development opportunities for our people. We know this is the sort of environment we need to create if we’re going to keep attracting the brightest minds to solve our clients’ problems.
Clients benefit directly too, of course – from Tech Cells’ focus on exploiting market opportunities from disruptive or enabling technologies. And, in the future, we hope to broaden the Tech Cell programme to involve clients in the research, as well as linking up with academic institutions.
Ultimately, the more people who are switched on to the potential of new technology, the more value we can get from it for our clients and the communities we serve.
