On Thursday 24 November the Technology Exchange Cell was opened. Initiated by Dick Arnold, Director Research & Technology in the Thales group, the T-Xchange cell is a project set up by the Technical University Twente in Enschede and Thales Nederland with the objective to stimulate the transfer of knowledge between companies and the university.

The opening ceremony was performed by Mr Arno Peels (President of Thales Nederland), Ms Carry Abbenhues (Provincial Executive for Economic Affairs and Innovation) and Henk Zijm (Rector of the University Twente). Subsequently, the audience witnessed a sensational demonstration in which a crisis centre was simulated; an example of a case from the T-Xchange Cell. This demo may be used to train emergency services and government officials in effectively dealing with time-critical situations.

The T-Exchange Cell, a cooperation between the Technical University and Thales-NL, is located on the premises of the University and uses the most advanced systems for gaming and the simulation of scenarios. New Virtual Reality technology is applied, using a semicircular projection screen for 3D visualisation and desks with tablet computers. In the T-Xchange Cell customers can have the most diverse innovation problems researched. Technology, but also market opportunities and social acceptability may be subjects. Several parties, including the Government, may participate in the programs. The basic principle of the laboratory is to shorten the development process so that innovations will be marketed earlier. Besides the University and Thales, the engineering firm Indes, Virtual Valley Twente and the Vrest company participate in the T-Xchange Cell.

Click here to read the English translation of an article that was published in the Financieel Dagblad of 24 November.