Research published today highlights the untapped potential to use “real-world testbeds”, environments that test innovation as close to real-world conditions as possible, to tackle some of the UK’s Grand Challenges.

The report, “Testing innovation in the real world”, shows that a gap exists between the current real-world testbeds operating across the UK and the challenge areas that will help transform the future of the UK as exemplified in the four Grand Challenges prioritised by the government. Nesta is calling for the government to realign these priority areas by investing in these experimental testing approaches, helping to ensure the enhancements in innovation tackle the issues most urgent to the UK public.

Real-world testbeds are an experimental approach to testing innovation that allows policymakers to understand the positive impact of an innovation and the risks that may be associated with it in an environment as close to authentic conditions as possible. It can also help governments, businesses and citizens understand how they might benefit from a particular innovation.

The research, conducted by Arup for Nesta, reviewed 95 real-world testbeds internationally, giving an overview of lessons learned and practical tips for policymakers considering setting one up. An interactive tool has been released alongside the research giving policymakers more in-depth information on the case studies and a picture of global trends in innovation testing.

Based on our definition of a real-world testbed, the sample in our research shows that of the 17 real-world testbeds taking place or to have taken place in the UK,

• Only 1 out of the 17 was related directly to the Grand Challenge, “Ageing society”
• A majority are related to the Grand Challenge, “Future of mobility”
• Only a few were related to the Grand Challenges of “Clean growth” and “AI and data”

It is no surprise that experimentation with testbeds in a real-world setting is more prevalent in transport technologies, however this does not mean that using real-world testbeds should be overlooked in other sectors. This is particularly pertinent when considering the areas the UK government has chosen to prioritise as fundamental to the future.

Jen Rae, Head of UK Innovation Policy and report co-author, said:

“Testing out how innovation has an impact in the real world is key to understanding that ways in which new technologies truly benefit society and we hope that this report is an inspirational and useful toolkit for policymakers looking to set up an innovation testbed .”

“Our research also unearthed the gap that exists between the real-world testbeds currently operating in the UK and the key issues facing society as outlined in the government’s Grand Challenges. Nesta is calling on the government to invest more in setting up real-world testing that will help tackle some of the UK’s key challenges for the future, such as ageing society and clean growth.”

As a result of this research, Nesta is calling for

• Real-world testbeds to be integrated as a key policy tool for national and local industrial strategies. Our research shows beyond simply testing that innovation works, setting up a testbed has multiple advantages for policymakers.
• All testbeds to have a plan for how to engage the public on the purpose and the design of testbeds from the start. This is key to ensuring a testbed truly meets the needs of the citizens involved.
• The Government to compile a national overview of the infrastructure available to test and demonstrate innovation so that learning from each one can be more easily spread to other places and sectors.

Nesta is currently experimenting with innovation testbeds within the education sector, helping schools and colleges trial technology that suits their needs.

ENDS

For more information, please contact Wallis Grant in the press office at [email protected] or on 0207 438 2581 / 07557 162 651

About Nesta

Nesta is an innovation foundation. For us, innovation means turning bold ideas into reality and changing lives for the better. We use our expertise, skills and funding in areas where there are big challenges facing society. We've spent over 20 years working out the best ways to make change happen through research and experimenting, and we've applied that to our work in innovation policy, health, education, government innovation and the creative economy and arts. Nesta is based in the UK and supported by a financial endowment. We work with partners around the globe to bring bold ideas to life to change the world for good.

www.nesta.org.uk

Nesta is a registered charity in England and Wales 1144091 and Scotland SC042833.

About Arup

Arup is the creative force at the heart of many of the world’s most prominent projects in the built environment and across industry. Working in more than 140 countries, the firm’s designers, engineers, architects, planners, consultants and technical specialists work with our clients on innovative projects of the highest quality and impact.

www.arup.com