Intel supports 'tech for good' projects with UCL Computer Science

UCL IXN gives students hands-on industry experience as a central component of their course. The students work with companies and charities on proofs of concept that address real-world challenges. Intel collaborates on UCL IXN projects with other major corporates as well as Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations.

Two mentors from Intel are now officially joining the UCL teaching staff, Professors Pippa Chick and Costas Stylianou. At Intel, Pippa is Sales Director: Energy, Retail, Transportation, Health & Life Sciences: EMEA. Costas is Senior Technical Specialist for Public Sector and Health & Life Sciences.

Pippa Chick has become an Honorary Professor of Practice and also sits on our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) panel and Athena Swan committee. Costas Stylianou is an Honorary Associate Professor.

Costas and Pippa share more about their involvement with UCL IXN and what it's like advising the students.

Tell us about your mentoring roles

With Costas's software engineering background, he brings technical expertise. Pippa focuses on technology storytelling, teaching students how to explain the problems they are investigating and their solutions. 

What are your favourite UCL IXN projects?

There are so many! We'd like to mention some current ones.

MotionInput allows people to navigate a computer with physical gestures relayed by a standard webcam. The touchless technology has many use cases, from accessibility to gaming. We've helped this project evolve over the last three years from a concept to an app, which is now available on the Microsoft Store. It's fantastic that it's a longer-term project; the baton-passing structure enables subsequent teams of students to develop MotionInput iteratively.

Sight ++ addresses how we can make public spaces more accessible by assisting people who are visually impaired.

The Energy Monitor app encourages sustainability. The app informs people of their energy usage while working or gaming, allowing them to manage the energy consumption of their computers. 

GOSH wanted to alleviate the stress that families feel when a child is staying in hospital. The Bedside Tech project aims to use technology to bridge the physical distance between families by helping them do things together remotely, like having dinner.  

What's it like mentoring the students?

It's a privilege to work with such creative and talented students that can turn their hand to anything just by using off-the-shelf software kits and libraries. They piece them together and then create something wonderful. They really push our technology to find out what it can do, and there have been cases where they've even helped us improve our products. 

The students strive to enhance or improve the world around them and are not afraid of tackling big problems. Helping the teams lean in and develop solutions using Intel technology to drive positive change is a real joy.

Find out more about the UCL IXN programme.