February 2009 – Mindsheet

Mindsheet attends launch of MOD’s Defence Technology Plan

Mindsheet were one of 5 companies granted research contracts by the MOD to attend the Defence Technology Plan launch event at Whitehall on 26th February, along with our reconnaissance robot, Testudo.

GADGETS and gizmos that could equip our troops of the future have helped to launch the MOD’s new Defence Technology Plan.

The Defence Technology Plan is the first time the MOD has unveiled its long-term research needs. It underlines the importance of science and technology in providing cutting-edge kit for the battlefield.

Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies, said:

“Innovation is at the heart of our success on the battlefield and by launching the Defence Technology Plan today, we are looking to embrace and encourage novel, cutting-edge ideas to provide our future forces with the latest technological advances so they can stay one step ahead of the enemy.

“It is more vital than ever that we exploit new and emerging technologies because the threats our troops face are always evolving. To do this, we need to make the best use of the Defence industrial base, as well as the wealth of ability and expertise found among small businesses, talented individuals and academia”.

Mindsheet were one of 5 companies granted research contracts by the MOD, to attend the launch event at Whitehall on 26th February along with our reconnaissance robot, Testudo.

Further coverage of the event:

Mindsheet Wins MOD Contract to Develop a Portable “Battle-Winning” Reconnaissance Robot

Mindsheet is pleased to announce that we have been awarded an MOD contract to develop a rugged mini-robot to act as a reconnaissance scout for troops.

Mindsheet Press Release
25 February 2009

Mindsheet is pleased to announce that we have been awarded an MOD contract by the CDE (Centre for Defence Enterprise) to develop a rugged mini-robot, named Testudo, to act as a reconnaissance scout for troops.

Originally unveiled at the MOD Grand Challenge 2008, the robot scout is a platoon level asset that supports hazardous ground manoeuvres such as early warning of threat events, clearance of hazardous ground, compounds and buildings and could even help locate enemy fire. This low cost, man portable device acts as a force multiplier that could ultimately save lives.

The £28k contract, awarded in January 2009, will enable Mindsheet to further develop the robot for field testing in March with a view to realise the production system later in 2009.

Mindsheet has already been awarded Innovation of the Year by The News, Portsmouth, for work on the robot to date.

Raglan Tribe, the Managing Director of Mindsheet, says:

“It’s a great honour to be given the opportunity to support our troops. Hopefully, this programme will allow us to get the technology in a state where it could help save lives. If so, then our job is done”.

END

Ever wondered what goes on when you are out of the office?

While the Cat’s Away, the Mouse will Play…….

Raglan’s deserted the Mindsheet camp for a week for a much overdue break and so it’s a case of while the cat’s away, the mice will play. Don’t get me wrong, we’re not all sitting here with our feet up. On the contrary, it’s a chance for me, Yvette, to play the creative card and write the latest blog for your enjoyment (I hope).

But a free reign to write what you want can be a kiss of death to all but the most creative. I don’t profess to be an innovation expert like Raglan (I’m on steep learning curve having spent many years in financial services marketing), so I’ve been looking for a bit of inspiration.

Where to start? I did the first thing many of us do, I went on Google. Looked to see what’s hot on innovation, searched for ideas. And then it hit me in the face. It was obvious. I’m struggling for ideas so why not put together a little piece on how to be creative in the first place.

I’m sure you already know there is a wealth of information out there on the subject, so I’ve done some digging in order to compile a short guide to creativity. My intention was to pick the best ideas from a selection of thinkers but I came across one blog called Gaping Void by Hugh Macleod that really inspired me so I make no apologies in quoting directly from it.

Here, in my opinion, are some of the best bits:

Ignore everybody
The more original your idea is, the less good advice other people will be able to give you

The idea doesn’t have to be big. It just has to change the world
The two are not the same thing

Put the hours in
Doing anything worthwhile takes forever. 90% of what separates successful people and failed people is time, effort and stamina

If your business plan depends on you suddenly being “discovered” by some big shot, your plan will probably fail
Nobody suddenly discovers anything. Things are made slowly and in pain

Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten
As you get older they take the crayons away and replace them with books on algebra etc. Being suddenly hit years later with the creative bug is just a wee voice telling you, “I’d like my crayons back, please.”

Companies that squelch creativity can no longer compete with companies that champion creativity
Nor can you bully a subordinate into becoming a genius

Everybody has their own private Mount Everest they were put on this earth to climb
You may never reach the summit; for that you will be forgiven. But if you don’t make at least one serious attempt to get above the snow-line, years later you will find yourself lying on your deathbed, and all you will feel is emptiness

The more talented somebody is, the less they need the props
Meeting a person who wrote a masterpiece on the back of a deli menu would not surprise me. Meeting a person who wrote a masterpiece with a silver Cartier fountain pen on an antique writing table in an airy SoHo loft would SERIOUSLY surprise me

Don’t worry about finding inspiration. It comes eventually
Inspiration precedes the desire to create, not the other way around

The hardest part of being creative is getting used to it
If you have the creative urge, it isn’t going to go away. But sometimes it takes a while before you accept the fact

Well I hope that gave you a little bit of inspiration for the day. Must get back to the mountain of jobs Raglan has given me now……..