This project seeks to develop Disinfecting RObots for Nhs England (DRONE). Our long-term vision is to allow machines instead of people to make complex/less deterministic decisions about what, where, when, and how often to monitor, sample, test, and disinfect areas in NHS hospitals/infrastructure, safeguarding the 1million patients passing through every 36hours, the 25million A&E admissions, all visitors, and the 1.05million professional staff, and health practitioners.

Surface Markings are a versatile and essential addition to asphalt or concrete surfaces. They play one of the most important safety functions on pavements and roads, as well as giving facilities owners the ability to construct education, leisure, and advertising in prime locations on the ground. This has led to a wealth of global opportunities in playgrounds, theme parks, car parks, stadia and other forecourts; in addition to road markings. The global markings industry is estimated at $50bn USD, and employees over 250,000 people (Gartner, 2014). There are 178 UK companies operating in this market. There are currently four main typologies of surface marking materials (paint, thermoplastic, resin, and tape), each differ in terms of cost, performance, durability, speed of application, and suitability. There is a growing trend towards using thermoplastics because of their zero solvent/VOC (Volatile Organic Content) level, safety, high retro reflectivity, variable thickness, bright colours, and ability to easily re-apply over old markings. However, there are commercial and technical issues with current installation processes that have prevented the use of thermoplastic markings in lucrative hazardous area industries e.g. Oil & Gas, PetroChem, Underground networks - not least the requirement to install with a naked flame (which is banned in hazardous areas). Further, current methods are expensive, labour intensive, slow and give inconsistent results. This project addresses these problems. Following three successfully funded TSB grants (POM, HVM Business Model, and POC - File Refs 700255, 221214 and 710487 respectively), we address the problems by developing a DOP Stage flameless device that can simultaneously apply heat, measure temperature, and apply the correct volume of antislip aggregate over the thermoplastic surface evenly, deploying it at the correct time to give optimised visual/retro reflective qualities, and without the use of a naked flame.

This project aims to demonstrate market feasibility of an autonomous multi-colour turf marking ‘robot’ and ‘turf-friendly’ colourant ink cartridge ‘refill’. Sports Pitch Markings (logos/media messages) are a versatile and recent addition to professional turf playing surfaces in stadia. They play an important function in communicating advertising/ sponsorship to public, feeding a US$trillion ad industry, as well as delivering social messages (e.g. stop bullying). As such, turf markings give facility owners ability to construct education and advertising in prime locations (on both playing surface and surrounding areas) which are televised to >100m viewers/wk in over 150 countries. This has led to a wealth of global opportunity for both stadia owners and businesses providing turf marking services. There are 100,000+ professional stadia globally, together providing 7.5bn seats to ticketholders every week. The total global markings industry is estimated at US$50bn, and employees >250,000 people. The new turf logo segment is estimated at US$1bn (Gartner, 2014). However, current multi-colour turf logo marking is done manually, requires a 6-8 person team with expensive equipment (pumps, compressors, paint applicators), and requires bespoke disposable templates designed/manufactured in advance to ensure proper logo appearance when televised. A further problem with current methods is that pigments in existing turf paints used can only be removed by applying a chemical, which does not entirely remove pigment from the turf, leaving visible stains. Further, current pigments are not compostable, so remain in the ground substrate, preventing drainage and irreparably damaging the turf. This is a major concern since a professional turf playing surface costs > £1m to install and is 95% of what is televised during a live sporting broadcast. TerraPrinter-TurfX solves these problems

This project aims to demonstrate market feasibility of an autonomous multi-colour turf marking ‘robot’ and ‘turf-friendly’ colourant ink cartridge ‘refill’. Sports Pitch Markings (logos/media messages) are a versatile and recent addition to professional turf playing surfaces in stadia. They play an important function in communicating advertising/ sponsorship to public, feeding a US$trillion ad industry, as well as delivering social messages (e.g. stop bullying). As such, turf markings give facility owners ability to construct education and advertising in prime locations (on both playing surface and surrounding areas) which are televised to >100m viewers/wk in over 150 countries. This has led to a wealth of global opportunity for both stadia owners and businesses providing turf marking services. There are 100,000+ professional stadia globally, together providing 7.5bn seats to ticketholders every week. The total global markings industry is estimated at US$50bn, and employees >250,000 people. The new turf logo segment is estimated at US$1bn (Gartner, 2014). However, current multi-colour turf logo marking is done manually, requires a 6-8 person team with expensive equipment (pumps, compressors, paint applicators), and requires bespoke disposable templates designed/manufactured in advance to ensure proper logo appearance when televised. A further problem with current methods is that pigments in existing turf paints used can only be removed by applying a chemical, which does not entirely remove pigment from the turf, leaving visible stains. Further, current pigments are not compostable, so remain in the ground substrate, preventing drainage and irreparably damaging the turf. This is a major concern since a professional turf playing surface costs > £1m to install and is 95% of what is televised during a live sporting broadcast. TerraPrinter-TurfX solves these problems

This project aims to demonstrate market feasibility of an autonomous multi-colour turf marking ‘robot’ and ‘turf-friendly’ colourant ink cartridge ‘refill’. Sports Pitch Markings (logos/media messages) are a versatile and recent addition to professional turf playing surfaces in stadia. They play an important function in communicating advertising/ sponsorship to public, feeding a US$trillion ad industry, as well as delivering social messages (e.g. stop bullying). As such, turf markings give facility owners ability to construct education and advertising in prime locations (on both playing surface and surrounding areas) which are televised to >100m viewers/wk in over 150 countries. This has led to a wealth of global opportunity for both stadia owners and businesses providing turf marking services. There are 100,000+ professional stadia globally, together providing 7.5bn seats to ticketholders every week. The total global markings industry is estimated at US$50bn, and employees >250,000 people. The new turf logo segment is estimated at US$1bn (Gartner, 2014). However, current multi-colour turf logo marking is done manually, requires a 6-8 person team with expensive equipment (pumps, compressors, paint applicators), and requires bespoke disposable templates designed/manufactured in advance to ensure proper logo appearance when televised. A further problem with current methods is that pigments in existing turf paints used can only be removed by applying a chemical, which does not entirely remove pigment from the turf, leaving visible stains. Further, current pigments are not compostable, so remain in the ground substrate, preventing drainage and irreparably damaging the turf. This is a major concern since a professional turf playing surface costs > £1m to install and is 95% of what is televised during a live sporting broadcast. TerraPrinter-TurfX solves these problems

This project aims to demonstrate market feasibility of an autonomous multi-colour turf marking ‘robot’ and ‘turf-friendly’ colourant ink cartridge ‘refill’. Sports Pitch Markings (logos/media messages) are a versatile and recent addition to professional turf playing surfaces in stadia. They play an important function in communicating advertising/ sponsorship to public, feeding a US$trillion ad industry, as well as delivering social messages (e.g. stop bullying). As such, turf markings give facility owners ability to construct education and advertising in prime locations (on both playing surface and surrounding areas) which are televised to >100m viewers/wk in over 150 countries. This has led to a wealth of global opportunity for both stadia owners and businesses providing turf marking services. There are 100,000+ professional stadia globally, together providing 7.5bn seats to ticketholders every week. The total global markings industry is estimated at US$50bn, and employees >250,000 people. The new turf logo segment is estimated at US$1bn (Gartner, 2014). However, current multi-colour turf logo marking is done manually, requires a 6-8 person team with expensive equipment (pumps, compressors, paint applicators), and requires bespoke disposable templates designed/manufactured in advance to ensure proper logo appearance when televised. A further problem with current methods is that pigments in existing turf paints used can only be removed by applying a chemical, which does not entirely remove pigment from the turf, leaving visible stains. Further, current pigments are not compostable, so remain in the ground substrate, preventing drainage and irreparably damaging the turf. This is a major concern since a professional turf playing surface costs > £1m to install and is 95% of what is televised during a live sporting broadcast. TerraPrinter-TurfX solves these problems

This project aims to demonstrate market feasibility of an autonomous multi-colour turf marking ‘robot’ and ‘turf-friendly’ colourant ink cartridge ‘refill’. Sports Pitch Markings (logos/media messages) are a versatile and recent addition to professional turf playing surfaces in stadia. They play an important function in communicating advertising/ sponsorship to public, feeding a US$trillion ad industry, as well as delivering social messages (e.g. stop bullying). As such, turf markings give facility owners ability to construct education and advertising in prime locations (on both playing surface and surrounding areas) which are televised to >100m viewers/wk in over 150 countries. This has led to a wealth of global opportunity for both stadia owners and businesses providing turf marking services. There are 100,000+ professional stadia globally, together providing 7.5bn seats to ticketholders every week. The total global markings industry is estimated at US$50bn, and employees >250,000 people. The new turf logo segment is estimated at US$1bn (Gartner, 2014). However, current multi-colour turf logo marking is done manually, requires a 6-8 person team with expensive equipment (pumps, compressors, paint applicators), and requires bespoke disposable templates designed/manufactured in advance to ensure proper logo appearance when televised. A further problem with current methods is that pigments in existing turf paints used can only be removed by applying a chemical, which does not entirely remove pigment from the turf, leaving visible stains. Further, current pigments are not compostable, so remain in the ground substrate, preventing drainage and irreparably damaging the turf. This is a major concern since a professional turf playing surface costs > £1m to install and is 95% of what is televised during a live sporting broadcast. TerraPrinter-TurfX solves these problems

This project aims to demonstrate market feasibility of an autonomous multi-colour turf marking ‘robot’ and ‘turf-friendly’ colourant ink cartridge ‘refill’. Sports Pitch Markings (logos/media messages) are a versatile and recent addition to professional turf playing surfaces in stadia. They play an important function in communicating advertising/ sponsorship to public, feeding a US$trillion ad industry, as well as delivering social messages (e.g. stop bullying). As such, turf markings give facility owners ability to construct education and advertising in prime locations (on both playing surface and surrounding areas) which are televised to >100m viewers/wk in over 150 countries. This has led to a wealth of global opportunity for both stadia owners and businesses providing turf marking services. There are 100,000+ professional stadia globally, together providing 7.5bn seats to ticketholders every week. The total global markings industry is estimated at US$50bn, and employees >250,000 people. The new turf logo segment is estimated at US$1bn (Gartner, 2014). However, current multi-colour turf logo marking is done manually, requires a 6-8 person team with expensive equipment (pumps, compressors, paint applicators), and requires bespoke disposable templates designed/manufactured in advance to ensure proper logo appearance when televised. A further problem with current methods is that pigments in existing turf paints used can only be removed by applying a chemical, which does not entirely remove pigment from the turf, leaving visible stains. Further, current pigments are not compostable, so remain in the ground substrate, preventing drainage and irreparably damaging the turf. This is a major concern since a professional turf playing surface costs > £1m to install and is 95% of what is televised during a live sporting broadcast. TerraPrinter-TurfX solves these problems

This project aims to demonstrate market feasibility of an autonomous multi-colour turf marking ‘robot’ and ‘turf-friendly’ colourant ink cartridge ‘refill’. Sports Pitch Markings (logos/media messages) are a versatile and recent addition to professional turf playing surfaces in stadia. They play an important function in communicating advertising/ sponsorship to public, feeding a US$trillion ad industry, as well as delivering social messages (e.g. stop bullying). As such, turf markings give facility owners ability to construct education and advertising in prime locations (on both playing surface and surrounding areas) which are televised to >100m viewers/wk in over 150 countries. This has led to a wealth of global opportunity for both stadia owners and businesses providing turf marking services. There are 100,000+ professional stadia globally, together providing 7.5bn seats to ticketholders every week. The total global markings industry is estimated at US$50bn, and employees >250,000 people. The new turf logo segment is estimated at US$1bn (Gartner, 2014). However, current multi-colour turf logo marking is done manually, requires a 6-8 person team with expensive equipment (pumps, compressors, paint applicators), and requires bespoke disposable templates designed/manufactured in advance to ensure proper logo appearance when televised. A further problem with current methods is that pigments in existing turf paints used can only be removed by applying a chemical, which does not entirely remove pigment from the turf, leaving visible stains. Further, current pigments are not compostable, so remain in the ground substrate, preventing drainage and irreparably damaging the turf. This is a major concern since a professional turf playing surface costs > £1m to install and is 95% of what is televised during a live sporting broadcast. TerraPrinter-TurfX solves these problems

This project aims to demonstrate market feasibility of an autonomous multi-colour turf marking ‘robot’ and ‘turf-friendly’ colourant ink cartridge ‘refill’. Sports Pitch Markings (logos/media messages) are a versatile and recent addition to professional turf playing surfaces in stadia. They play an important function in communicating advertising/ sponsorship to public, feeding a US$trillion ad industry, as well as delivering social messages (e.g. stop bullying). As such, turf markings give facility owners ability to construct education and advertising in prime locations (on both playing surface and surrounding areas) which are televised to >100m viewers/wk in over 150 countries. This has led to a wealth of global opportunity for both stadia owners and businesses providing turf marking services. There are 100,000+ professional stadia globally, together providing 7.5bn seats to ticketholders every week. The total global markings industry is estimated at US$50bn, and employees >250,000 people. The new turf logo segment is estimated at US$1bn (Gartner, 2014). However, current multi-colour turf logo marking is done manually, requires a 6-8 person team with expensive equipment (pumps, compressors, paint applicators), and requires bespoke disposable templates designed/manufactured in advance to ensure proper logo appearance when televised. A further problem with current methods is that pigments in existing turf paints used can only be removed by applying a chemical, which does not entirely remove pigment from the turf, leaving visible stains. Further, current pigments are not compostable, so remain in the ground substrate, preventing drainage and irreparably damaging the turf. This is a major concern since a professional turf playing surface costs > £1m to install and is 95% of what is televised during a live sporting broadcast. TerraPrinter-TurfX solves these problems

This project aims to demonstrate market feasibility of an autonomous multi-colour turf marking ‘robot’ and ‘turf-friendly’ colourant ink cartridge ‘refill’. Sports Pitch Markings (logos/media messages) are a versatile and recent addition to professional turf playing surfaces in stadia. They play an important function in communicating advertising/ sponsorship to public, feeding a US$trillion ad industry, as well as delivering social messages (e.g. stop bullying). As such, turf markings give facility owners ability to construct education and advertising in prime locations (on both playing surface and surrounding areas) which are televised to >100m viewers/wk in over 150 countries. This has led to a wealth of global opportunity for both stadia owners and businesses providing turf marking services. There are 100,000+ professional stadia globally, together providing 7.5bn seats to ticketholders every week. The total global markings industry is estimated at US$50bn, and employees >250,000 people. The new turf logo segment is estimated at US$1bn (Gartner, 2014). However, current multi-colour turf logo marking is done manually, requires a 6-8 person team with expensive equipment (pumps, compressors, paint applicators), and requires bespoke disposable templates designed/manufactured in advance to ensure proper logo appearance when televised. A further problem with current methods is that pigments in existing turf paints used can only be removed by applying a chemical, which does not entirely remove pigment from the turf, leaving visible stains. Further, current pigments are not compostable, so remain in the ground substrate, preventing drainage and irreparably damaging the turf. This is a major concern since a professional turf playing surface costs > £1m to install and is 95% of what is televised during a live sporting broadcast. TerraPrinter-TurfX solves these problems

This project aims to demonstrate market feasibility of an autonomous multi-colour turf marking ‘robot’ and ‘turf-friendly’ colourant ink cartridge ‘refill’. Sports Pitch Markings (logos/media messages) are a versatile and recent addition to professional turf playing surfaces in stadia. They play an important function in communicating advertising/ sponsorship to public, feeding a US$trillion ad industry, as well as delivering social messages (e.g. stop bullying). As such, turf markings give facility owners ability to construct education and advertising in prime locations (on both playing surface and surrounding areas) which are televised to >100m viewers/wk in over 150 countries. This has led to a wealth of global opportunity for both stadia owners and businesses providing turf marking services. There are 100,000+ professional stadia globally, together providing 7.5bn seats to ticketholders every week. The total global markings industry is estimated at US$50bn, and employees >250,000 people. The new turf logo segment is estimated at US$1bn (Gartner, 2014). However, current multi-colour turf logo marking is done manually, requires a 6-8 person team with expensive equipment (pumps, compressors, paint applicators), and requires bespoke disposable templates designed/manufactured in advance to ensure proper logo appearance when televised. A further problem with current methods is that pigments in existing turf paints used can only be removed by applying a chemical, which does not entirely remove pigment from the turf, leaving visible stains. Further, current pigments are not compostable, so remain in the ground substrate, preventing drainage and irreparably damaging the turf. This is a major concern since a professional turf playing surface costs > £1m to install and is 95% of what is televised during a live sporting broadcast. TerraPrinter-TurfX solves these problems

This project aims to demonstrate market feasibility of an autonomous multi-colour turf marking ‘robot’ and ‘turf-friendly’ colourant ink cartridge ‘refill’. Sports Pitch Markings (logos/media messages) are a versatile and recent addition to professional turf playing surfaces in stadia. They play an important function in communicating advertising/ sponsorship to public, feeding a US$trillion ad industry, as well as delivering social messages (e.g. stop bullying). As such, turf markings give facility owners ability to construct education and advertising in prime locations (on both playing surface and surrounding areas) which are televised to >100m viewers/wk in over 150 countries. This has led to a wealth of global opportunity for both stadia owners and businesses providing turf marking services. There are 100,000+ professional stadia globally, together providing 7.5bn seats to ticketholders every week. The total global markings industry is estimated at US$50bn, and employees >250,000 people. The new turf logo segment is estimated at US$1bn (Gartner, 2014). However, current multi-colour turf logo marking is done manually, requires a 6-8 person team with expensive equipment (pumps, compressors, paint applicators), and requires bespoke disposable templates designed/manufactured in advance to ensure proper logo appearance when televised. A further problem with current methods is that pigments in existing turf paints used can only be removed by applying a chemical, which does not entirely remove pigment from the turf, leaving visible stains. Further, current pigments are not compostable, so remain in the ground substrate, preventing drainage and irreparably damaging the turf. This is a major concern since a professional turf playing surface costs > £1m to install and is 95% of what is televised during a live sporting broadcast. TerraPrinter-TurfX solves these problems

This project aims to demonstrate market feasibility of an autonomous multi-colour turf marking ‘robot’ and ‘turf-friendly’ colourant ink cartridge ‘refill’. Sports Pitch Markings (logos/media messages) are a versatile and recent addition to professional turf playing surfaces in stadia. They play an important function in communicating advertising/ sponsorship to public, feeding a US$trillion ad industry, as well as delivering social messages (e.g. stop bullying). As such, turf markings give facility owners ability to construct education and advertising in prime locations (on both playing surface and surrounding areas) which are televised to >100m viewers/wk in over 150 countries. This has led to a wealth of global opportunity for both stadia owners and businesses providing turf marking services. There are 100,000+ professional stadia globally, together providing 7.5bn seats to ticketholders every week. The total global markings industry is estimated at US$50bn, and employees >250,000 people. The new turf logo segment is estimated at US$1bn (Gartner, 2014). However, current multi-colour turf logo marking is done manually, requires a 6-8 person team with expensive equipment (pumps, compressors, paint applicators), and requires bespoke disposable templates designed/manufactured in advance to ensure proper logo appearance when televised. A further problem with current methods is that pigments in existing turf paints used can only be removed by applying a chemical, which does not entirely remove pigment from the turf, leaving visible stains. Further, current pigments are not compostable, so remain in the ground substrate, preventing drainage and irreparably damaging the turf. This is a major concern since a professional turf playing surface costs > £1m to install and is 95% of what is televised during a live sporting broadcast. TerraPrinter-TurfX solves these problems

This project aims to demonstrate market feasibility of an autonomous multi-colour turf marking ‘robot’ and ‘turf-friendly’ colourant ink cartridge ‘refill’. Sports Pitch Markings (logos/media messages) are a versatile and recent addition to professional turf playing surfaces in stadia. They play an important function in communicating advertising/ sponsorship to public, feeding a US$trillion ad industry, as well as delivering social messages (e.g. stop bullying). As such, turf markings give facility owners ability to construct education and advertising in prime locations (on both playing surface and surrounding areas) which are televised to >100m viewers/wk in over 150 countries. This has led to a wealth of global opportunity for both stadia owners and businesses providing turf marking services. There are 100,000+ professional stadia globally, together providing 7.5bn seats to ticketholders every week. The total global markings industry is estimated at US$50bn, and employees >250,000 people. The new turf logo segment is estimated at US$1bn (Gartner, 2014). However, current multi-colour turf logo marking is done manually, requires a 6-8 person team with expensive equipment (pumps, compressors, paint applicators), and requires bespoke disposable templates designed/manufactured in advance to ensure proper logo appearance when televised. A further problem with current methods is that pigments in existing turf paints used can only be removed by applying a chemical, which does not entirely remove pigment from the turf, leaving visible stains. Further, current pigments are not compostable, so remain in the ground substrate, preventing drainage and irreparably damaging the turf. This is a major concern since a professional turf playing surface costs > £1m to install and is 95% of what is televised during a live sporting broadcast. TerraPrinter-TurfX solves these problems

This project aims to demonstrate market feasibility of an autonomous multi-colour turf marking ‘robot’ and ‘turf-friendly’ colourant ink cartridge ‘refill’. Sports Pitch Markings (logos/media messages) are a versatile and recent addition to professional turf playing surfaces in stadia. They play an important function in communicating advertising/ sponsorship to public, feeding a US$trillion ad industry, as well as delivering social messages (e.g. stop bullying). As such, turf markings give facility owners ability to construct education and advertising in prime locations (on both playing surface and surrounding areas) which are televised to >100m viewers/wk in over 150 countries. This has led to a wealth of global opportunity for both stadia owners and businesses providing turf marking services. There are 100,000+ professional stadia globally, together providing 7.5bn seats to ticketholders every week. The total global markings industry is estimated at US$50bn, and employees >250,000 people. The new turf logo segment is estimated at US$1bn (Gartner, 2014). However, current multi-colour turf logo marking is done manually, requires a 6-8 person team with expensive equipment (pumps, compressors, paint applicators), and requires bespoke disposable templates designed/manufactured in advance to ensure proper logo appearance when televised. A further problem with current methods is that pigments in existing turf paints used can only be removed by applying a chemical, which does not entirely remove pigment from the turf, leaving visible stains. Further, current pigments are not compostable, so remain in the ground substrate, preventing drainage and irreparably damaging the turf. This is a major concern since a professional turf playing surface costs > £1m to install and is 95% of what is televised during a live sporting broadcast. TerraPrinter-TurfX solves these problems

This project aims to demonstrate market feasibility of an autonomous multi-colour turf marking ‘robot’ and ‘turf-friendly’ colourant ink cartridge ‘refill’. Sports Pitch Markings (logos/media messages) are a versatile and recent addition to professional turf playing surfaces in stadia. They play an important function in communicating advertising/ sponsorship to public, feeding a US$trillion ad industry, as well as delivering social messages (e.g. stop bullying). As such, turf markings give facility owners ability to construct education and advertising in prime locations (on both playing surface and surrounding areas) which are televised to >100m viewers/wk in over 150 countries. This has led to a wealth of global opportunity for both stadia owners and businesses providing turf marking services. There are 100,000+ professional stadia globally, together providing 7.5bn seats to ticketholders every week. The total global markings industry is estimated at US$50bn, and employees >250,000 people. The new turf logo segment is estimated at US$1bn (Gartner, 2014). However, current multi-colour turf logo marking is done manually, requires a 6-8 person team with expensive equipment (pumps, compressors, paint applicators), and requires bespoke disposable templates designed/manufactured in advance to ensure proper logo appearance when televised. A further problem with current methods is that pigments in existing turf paints used can only be removed by applying a chemical, which does not entirely remove pigment from the turf, leaving visible stains. Further, current pigments are not compostable, so remain in the ground substrate, preventing drainage and irreparably damaging the turf. This is a major concern since a professional turf playing surface costs > £1m to install and is 95% of what is televised during a live sporting broadcast. TerraPrinter-TurfX solves these problems

This project aims to demonstrate market feasibility of an autonomous multi-colour turf marking ‘robot’ and ‘turf-friendly’ colourant ink cartridge ‘refill’. Sports Pitch Markings (logos/media messages) are a versatile and recent addition to professional turf playing surfaces in stadia. They play an important function in communicating advertising/ sponsorship to public, feeding a US$trillion ad industry, as well as delivering social messages (e.g. stop bullying). As such, turf markings give facility owners ability to construct education and advertising in prime locations (on both playing surface and surrounding areas) which are televised to >100m viewers/wk in over 150 countries. This has led to a wealth of global opportunity for both stadia owners and businesses providing turf marking services. There are 100,000+ professional stadia globally, together providing 7.5bn seats to ticketholders every week. The total global markings industry is estimated at US$50bn, and employees >250,000 people. The new turf logo segment is estimated at US$1bn (Gartner, 2014). However, current multi-colour turf logo marking is done manually, requires a 6-8 person team with expensive equipment (pumps, compressors, paint applicators), and requires bespoke disposable templates designed/manufactured in advance to ensure proper logo appearance when televised. A further problem with current methods is that pigments in existing turf paints used can only be removed by applying a chemical, which does not entirely remove pigment from the turf, leaving visible stains. Further, current pigments are not compostable, so remain in the ground substrate, preventing drainage and irreparably damaging the turf. This is a major concern since a professional turf playing surface costs > £1m to install and is 95% of what is televised during a live sporting broadcast. TerraPrinter-TurfX solves these problems

This project aims to demonstrate market feasibility of an autonomous multi-colour turf marking ‘robot’ and ‘turf-friendly’ colourant ink cartridge ‘refill’. Sports Pitch Markings (logos/media messages) are a versatile and recent addition to professional turf playing surfaces in stadia. They play an important function in communicating advertising/ sponsorship to public, feeding a US$trillion ad industry, as well as delivering social messages (e.g. stop bullying). As such, turf markings give facility owners ability to construct education and advertising in prime locations (on both playing surface and surrounding areas) which are televised to >100m viewers/wk in over 150 countries. This has led to a wealth of global opportunity for both stadia owners and businesses providing turf marking services. There are 100,000+ professional stadia globally, together providing 7.5bn seats to ticketholders every week. The total global markings industry is estimated at US$50bn, and employees >250,000 people. The new turf logo segment is estimated at US$1bn (Gartner, 2014). However, current multi-colour turf logo marking is done manually, requires a 6-8 person team with expensive equipment (pumps, compressors, paint applicators), and requires bespoke disposable templates designed/manufactured in advance to ensure proper logo appearance when televised. A further problem with current methods is that pigments in existing turf paints used can only be removed by applying a chemical, which does not entirely remove pigment from the turf, leaving visible stains. Further, current pigments are not compostable, so remain in the ground substrate, preventing drainage and irreparably damaging the turf. This is a major concern since a professional turf playing surface costs > £1m to install and is 95% of what is televised during a live sporting broadcast. TerraPrinter-TurfX solves these problems

This project aims to demonstrate market feasibility of an autonomous multi-colour turf marking ‘robot’ and ‘turf-friendly’ colourant ink cartridge ‘refill’. Sports Pitch Markings (logos/media messages) are a versatile and recent addition to professional turf playing surfaces in stadia. They play an important function in communicating advertising/ sponsorship to public, feeding a US$trillion ad industry, as well as delivering social messages (e.g. stop bullying). As such, turf markings give facility owners ability to construct education and advertising in prime locations (on both playing surface and surrounding areas) which are televised to >100m viewers/wk in over 150 countries. This has led to a wealth of global opportunity for both stadia owners and businesses providing turf marking services. There are 100,000+ professional stadia globally, together providing 7.5bn seats to ticketholders every week. The total global markings industry is estimated at US$50bn, and employees >250,000 people. The new turf logo segment is estimated at US$1bn (Gartner, 2014). However, current multi-colour turf logo marking is done manually, requires a 6-8 person team with expensive equipment (pumps, compressors, paint applicators), and requires bespoke disposable templates designed/manufactured in advance to ensure proper logo appearance when televised. A further problem with current methods is that pigments in existing turf paints used can only be removed by applying a chemical, which does not entirely remove pigment from the turf, leaving visible stains. Further, current pigments are not compostable, so remain in the ground substrate, preventing drainage and irreparably damaging the turf. This is a major concern since a professional turf playing surface costs > £1m to install and is 95% of what is televised during a live sporting broadcast. TerraPrinter-TurfX solves these problems

Surface Markings applied to asphalt give facilities owners ability to construct safety, education, and advertising in prime locations, leading to global opportunities in playgrounds, car parks, road safety markings. A $50bn industry, employing 250,000 people. Current systems typically apply as thermoplastic bonded to surface using a naked flame. This gives variable results, is unsafe, and banned in underground applications /confined spaces. This project develops the worlds 1st outdoor ground marking 3D printer system capable of printing ultrathin markings; which can be 3D print-coated/embedded with machine readable electronics (tags). Tags will be readable by 1bn cars and 0.28bn partially sighted pedestrians, enabling them to ‘see’ curb edges, road markings, etc. Key challenges are, speed of heating, material choice,effectiveness of 3D printed electronics. A demonstrator system will be built to show the system in operation.

Surface Markings are a versatile and essential addition to asphalt or concrete surfaces. They play one of the most important safety functions on pavements and roads, as well as giving facilities owners the ability to construct education, leisure, and advertising in prime locations on the ground. This has led to a wealth of global opportunities in playgrounds, theme parks, car parks, stadia and other forecourts; in addition to road markings. The global markings industry is estimated at $50bn USD, and employees over 250,000 people. There are over 178 UK companies operating in this market. There are currently four main typologies of surface marking materials (paint, thermoplastic, resin, and tape), each differ in terms of cost, performance, durability, speed of application, and suitability. There is a growing trend towards using thermoplastics because of their zero solvent/VOC (Volatile Organic Content) level, safety, high retro reflectivity, variable thickness, bright colours, and ability to easily re-apply over old markings. However, there are commercial and technical issues with current installation processes that have prevented the use of thermoplastic markings in lucrative hazardous area industries e.g. Oil & Gas, PetroChem, Underground networks - not least the requirement to install with a naked flame (which is banned in hazardous areas). Further, current methods are expensive, labour intensive, slow and give inconsistent results. This project addresses these problems. Following two successfully funded TSB grants (Proof of Market, and to validate novel High Value Manufacturing Business Models - TSB File Refs 700255 and 221214 respectively), we address the problems by developing flameless device that can simultaneously apply heat, measure temperature, and apply the correct volume of antislip aggregate over the thermoplastic surface evenly, deploying it at the correct time to give optimised visual/retro reflective qualities, and without the use of a naked flame.

Surface Markings are a versatile and essential addition to asphalt or concrete surfaces. They play one of the most important safety functions on pavements and roads, as well as giving facilities owners the ability to construct education, leisure, and advertising in prime locations on the ground. This has led to a wealth of global opportunities in playgrounds, theme parks, car parks, stadia and other forecourts; in addition to road markings. The global markings industry is estimated at $50bn USD, and employees over 250,000 people. There are over 150 UK companies operating in this market. There are four typologies of surface marking materials (paint, thermoplastic, resin, and tape), each differ in terms of cost, performance, durability, and speed of application. There is a growing trend towards using thermoplastics because of their zero solvent/VOC (Volatile Organic Content) level, safety, high retro reflectivity, variable thickness, bright colours, and ability to easily re-apply over old markings. However because thermoplastics are solid at ambient temperatures, they can only be bonded successfully to a surface by softening with a naked flame at temperatures approaching 200 deg C, inhibiting sales opportunities in hazardous areas, including the 9000 underground stations worldwide, and other confined spaces. Further, the correct application of heat using a blow torch is time consuming and often results in over-heating, damaging material qualities. Thermoplastic markings also include antislip provision, the application of which involves applying an aggregate by hand when the surface is hot enough for the particles to penetrate, but not too hot that they sink below the surface, giving variable results. This project seeks to demonstrate the market feasibility of an innovative flameless device for thermoplastic installations in hazardous areas. The project has the potential to positively impact the safety of 35bn underground passenger rides each year.

This project will investigate an Additive Manufacturing (AM) PPU (Pay Per Use) business model to underpin possible global developments in new surface marking techniques that build advanced ultra-reflective markings layer by layer, cured using laser or microwave technology. Surface Markings applied to asphalt and concrete give facilities and highways owners the ability to add safety, education, and advertising in prime locations, leading to global opportunities in schools, retail, car parks, stadia; as well as road surface markings. Current systems typically apply thermoplastics bonded to the surface with a naked gas flame. This gives variable results, is time consuming, and presents health and safety issues, as well as being banned from use in all 144 underground applications Worldwide. If viable, this business model will migrate HVM technology into a traditional unskilled industry, creating new products and jobs, and raising awareness of HVM in a new audience.