4 minute read
Innovation – Mo-Sys
INNOVATION SPECIALIST fuels growth of local firms
Mo-Sys is leading the way in technology-led innovation. The company designs and builds unique, highly sophisticated camera technology products for top-end film and broadcast, such as camera tracking, broadcast robotics and virtual production hardware. Not only are these products rapidly transforming visual effects (VFX) and virtual production (VP) techniques that are vital to the modern-day filmmaking process, they are attracting global interest and serving customers in more than 50 countries around the world.
However, while Mo-Sys itself is doing well, much of the company’s value lies in its ability to fuel the growth of other ambitious businesses - many of which are in south east London.
In assisting their expansion, Mo-Sys is also helping to create jobs and wealth and add value to the local economy. Here we take a look at just a few examples...
Morden Wolf
ThIs a video production company specialising on video communication for corporates that choose to communicate in more sophisticated ways than Zoom and want to communicate more like a top level broadcaster. Using Mo-Sys’ technology, Morden Wolf trialled the use of virtual backgrounds and multiple moving cameras to increase its production value. Mo-Sys provided the technological know-how, mentoring and business space for Morden Wolf to carry out the work, with the latter establishing a production and filming stage on Mo-Sys’ top floor. This partnership has enabled Morden Wolf to refine the filming process with virtual backgrounds and started to work with Fortune 500 companies like SalesForce, who are coming back for more and more productions. In return, Morden Wolf has given valuable feedback on the technology, which has allowed Mo-Sys to refine it to make it even more useful to the film production companies that the company works with.
Rizvan Wadan
Rizvan, or “Riz” as he’s more commonly known, is a Greenwich-based Muslim filmmaker who’s passionate about incorporating the views of minority or underrepresented groups into his work. He is well-known for his anti-terrorism campaign video, “Error in Terror”, which tackles the sensitive subjects of hate, terrorism and extremism through visual media, and he has also produced striking films on the subject of knife crime. Based in Mo-Sys’ premises, Riz is now starting to use Mo-Sys’ virtual technology to make his films even more eye-catching, innovative and interesting. They’re now being used as a visual tool by local authorities to educate people on terrorism and other important topics. Riz is also benefiting from the expertise of experienced Mo-Sys technology experts and entrepreneurs as they guide him through the next phase of his exciting journey. ❛❛This year alone we will have invested a combined total of close to £500,000 in start-ups and spin-off companies. In addition to the investment are significant amounts of support services using Mo-Sys’ resources as well as mentoring and guidance. We’re trying to create a culture of innovation and high-tech entrepreneurialism in Greenwich.❜❜
Stellar Robotics
A Mo-Sys spin-off company, Stellar Robotics is using some of Mo-Sys’ patented technology and applying it to the burgeoning robotics sector. The company is developing a robotics distribution technology that can increase safety, efficiency and productivity. The project has already attracted interest from chemicals giant BASF, and Mo- Sys is currently working with a former BASF employee who has joined Stellar Robotics to commercialise the patented technology. Having secured a government grant two years ago for £400,000, Stellar Robotics has developed a technology demonstrator of an indoor robotic vehicle. They are now preparing for the automated vehicle to seamlessly navigate from the inside to the outside. Looking at the Greenwich Smart City project for testing self-driving cars and supply vehicles, Greenwich is on the way to becoming a centre for robotic research.
Catena Studios
Catena Studios is a company working on automated generation of higher quality backgrounds from 3D models. It uses a patented near-time process to achieve better than real-time render quality. To increase quality further and reduce time, Catena Studios started to collaborate with Amazon Web Services, which provides a cloud computing platform to film productions globally, for e.g., real-time rendering. Initially the company started with only a few researchers to develop a proof of concept for the technology and over the last two years more resources have been added to strengthen Mo-Sys’ increased investment and employment. Initial customers include Netflix and we see significant growth potential for Catena Studios.
Liveche
Liveche is a new business that will put the passion for cooking together with Mo-Sys’ innovative automation ideas to create a new way of corporate lunch supplies. The project is currently in discussions and means to change the way large quantities of meals are made whilst being healthy and offering a great variety and choice, thus healthy meals can be produced more efficiently while providing a large variety of choice. As well as providing a cash injection, Mo-Sys will also provide business space, technology, business support and mentoring.
