The centre is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Technology Strategy Board, and by industry.

Funding has been announced for a major new research centre based at the Department of Engineering.

The 'Innovation and Knowledge Centre' (IKC) on Smart Infrastructure and Construction will combine business knowledge with the most up-to-date research to harness the full potential of emerging technologies - ensuring the UK is first to develop this cutting-edge research. The centre is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Technology Strategy Board, and by industry. The Cambridge IKC on Smart Infrastructure and Construction will be led by Professor Robert Mair and Professor Kenichi Soga of the departments Civil Engineering Division. The IfM’s Professor Duncan McFarlane will also play a leading role while IfM colleague Dr Paul Heffernan will be the full-time IKC Director. The IKC will bring together four leading research groups in the Cambridge Engineering Department and the Computer Laboratory, along with staff in the Judge Business School and the Department of Architecture.

The Cambridge IKC will combine research in sensor and data management with innovative manufacturing processes to provide radical changes to the construction and management of infrastructure.

The IKC will complement the Laing O'Rourke Centre for Construction Engineering and Technology at Cambridge, a new multi-disciplinary academic centre of excellence to advance the engineering profession and leverage innovative thinking to benefit the construction industry.

Innovation and Knowledge Centres (IKCs) are centres of excellence with five years' funding to accelerate and promote business exploitation of an emerging research and technology field.

Funding for the Cambridge IKC will be £10million from EPSRC and the Technology Strategy Board, with an additional £7million from a number of industry organisations.

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