An innovative sensor, alerting operators of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) to the presence of local hazards, has been developed via a KTP between Niftylift and the University of Bath that has just been awarded an Outstanding Grading – the highest possible from Innovate UK.

Niftylift’s new sensor will enable operators to continue to work safely at height by maintaining a safe distance from any predicted hazards. The company is a leading UK manufacturer of elevating work platforms with a worldwide market, and has a commitment to developing high-quality, innovative products with cost and environmental advantages.

Steve Redding, Development Director at Niftylift, says: NiftyLift is thrilled to have partnered with the University of Bath on this KTP and it has been an exceptional example of how industry and academia can collaborate to solve a problem, bringing innovative solutions and products to the marketplace to reduce accidents and save lives.

KTN’s Knowledge Transfer Adviser on the project is Kamran Hussein who was equally delighted with the outcome of the partnership saying: This outstanding project is the result of an exceptionally good relationship and shared vision amongst the project partners. We congratulate Hela, KTP Associate, on her project delivery. It’s fantastic news that Niftylift will continue to apply the knowledge from the KTP for the continuous innovation of their new life-saving power-line detection technology for Niftylift’s global portfolio of products.

The Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the University of Bath was the lead academic on the KTP: We were able to produce an intelligent sensor system through the technologies that we pioneered at the University of the Bath’s Engineering Tomography Lab (ETL). These were applied through our KTP Associate, Dr Hela Garbaa, to improve the operator safety for Niftylift’s range of MEWPs. We are delighted that Hela now continues to work for them as a valued member of staff.

Dr Hela Garbaa, the KTP Associate on the project added: This was a really exciting project and partnership to be involved with, as the final product will improve operator safety and will help to reduce accidents and injuries by providing the operator with an early warning of impending hazards in their work environment…..I am delighted to be to be working with Niftylift bringing this innovative safety system to market. 

Innovations from the KTP will ensure MEWPs used in a wider degree of applications will continue to be considered the safest method of working at height. 

This KTP project was co-funded by UKRI through Innovate UK.

Funding competitions for KTP are open throughout the year. If you think your business could accelerate innovation via a collaborative partnership with a UK Knowledge Base, find out more about KTP here.