RPL named as finalists in four categories at the NZ Innovation Awards
Announced today are the finalists who represent game changing innovation from every corner of the country, with new ventures, products and services from a broad range of industries and business disciplines.
Finalists in the New Zealand Innovation Awards 2016 demonstrate that Kiwi innovation is thriving, with over a 30% per cent increase in entries that are of world class standard. Included in the finalists are an exciting range of entries; from motion activated wheel chairs, cancer diagnostic tools, sustainable meat substitutes and educational projects that help disadvantaged kids. Spoilt for choice with this year’s entries – these are everyday Kiwi’s doing world changing things.
New Zealand Innovation Council CEO Louise Webster says she has seen a significant shift in Kiwi innovation that is focused on high growth, export markets that demonstrate world leading approaches to innovation with many businesses going global from day one.
In addition to the innovative products and services entered, one of the biggest changes this year was a rise in entrants focused on making the world a better place. “We saw a new wave of innovative businesses focused on solving social issues. These organisations are still profit making entities, but are driven by a purpose to help solve the world’s problems and have a global impact,” says Ms Webster.
Bayer New Zealand Managing Director Derek Bartlett, says the quality of entrants is impressive. “The aim has always been to recognise great Kiwi talent and the commercialisation of innovative New Zealand products and services, and the awards certainly achieve that.”
Other foundation sponsors include the New Zealand Innovation Council and Idealog, as well as category sponsors Auckland University of Technology (AUT), Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, Chorus, Datamine, Jade Software, James & Wells, KPMG, 3M, MediaWorks, MOTAT, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), Paymark, Poutama Trust, Plant & Food Research Limited, Radio LIVE, Regus, Sovereign, Veda, Yealands Family Wines, Yellow and 90 Seconds.
The winners of the New Zealand Innovation Awards will be announced at the awards event held on Thursday 20 October at SKYCITY CONVENTION CENTRE. For more information and to purchase tickets to the awards event, go to www.innovationawards.org.nz or call 0800 2 INNOVATE (0800 2 46668).
Robotics Plus have been announced finalists in the following categories:
INNOVATION IN AGRIBUSINESS & ENVIRONMENT - Sponsored by KPMG
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Robotics Plus Limited - Robotic Apple Packer
INNOVATION IN DESIGN & ENGINEERING - Sponsored by James & Wells
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Robotics Plus - Robotic Apple Packer
INNOVATION EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH - Sponsored by Auckland University of Technology (AUT)
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Robotics Plus - Robotic Apple Packer
YOUNG NEW ZEALAND INNOVATOR - Sponsored by MOTAT
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Alistair Scarfe - Robotics Plus