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Students from the IEEE Student Branch at Queen Mary University of London recently visited the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus for an industry-focused tour hosted by Prof David Owens and the Virgin Media O2 team.

The visit provided students with first-hand experience of emerging technologies shaping the future of automation, communications, and intelligent systems. Highlights included a ride on an autonomous shuttle developed through the DARWIN Connected Autonomous Vehicles Project, where students learned about the advanced sensing, positioning, and communication technologies underpinning autonomous mobility.

Students also toured the Virgin Media O2 Lab, where they explored a range of cutting-edge innovations, including holographic communications, contactless biomarker sensing, robot-assisted technologies, Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS), and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN). The demonstrations showcased how advanced communication networks can support developments across artificial intelligence, robotics, sensing, and next-generation connectivity.

The visit was organised by the IEEE Student Branch leadership team with support from the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science and funding from the IEEE Region 8 Industry Engagement Fund.

By engaging directly with pioneering technologies and industry experts, students gained valuable insights into the innovations that are expected to shape the future of engineering and digital communications.