Living lab for Cato Manor and Chesterville

INNOVATE Durban, together with partners Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), Software AG and the eThekwini Municipality’s Economic Development and Business Support Units, will establish a Living Lab at the Umkhumbane Entrepreneurial Support Centre in Cato Manor in Janaury, where the community will be able to access the lab and benefit from programmes.

The Living Lab will house the latest technology relevant to equipping people with skills for the 4th Industrial Revolution, including 3D printers, laser cutting machines, drones, robotics, artificial intelligence tools, and virtual reality. Focused programmes will be run to ensure citizens are not only exposed to the latest technology and thinking but are also trained to use the technology.

Innovate Durban was initially set up as a special purpose vehicle by eThekwini Municipality to drive innovation and to grow the innovation ecosystem in the city.

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The organisation now operates as a registered non-profit organisation and public benefit organisation. Aurelia Albert, CEO of Innovate Durban, said: “The lab will provide access to small businesses and entrepreneurs as well as unemployed youth in the area. Its aim is to provide access to tools, information and resources to people residing in townships in order for participants to become more innovative in problem solving and creating opportunities for new businesses, job creation, and tackling local social issues. It is a decentralised approach to our innovation programme that provides access to citizens that have limited access to opportunities that are mostly concentrated in the urban periphery.”

Software AG will set up a Digital Studio that will complement the programmes that will be offered at the Living Lab. The main aim is to empower customers to innovate, differentiate and win in the digital world by offering the world’s first digital business platform. According to Ndazi Nokoane, transformation director: “The intention of the design studio is to be used as a facility to draw on the creative juices of the youth from the area. The design studio will give access to the youth who want to help advance the city with their innovative ideas. The youth will have the equipment, environment, direction and enablement to help them realise their dreams, in line with the objectives of the city.”

Contact Innovate Durban on 087 365 3131 or email: info@innovate.durban.

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