Call closed CoSTAR Screen Lab: 5G Innovation in Screen Technologies

The CoSTAR Screen Lab is exploring how 5G is accelerating innovation in the screen and performance sectors including film, TV, gaming, and beyond. 5G offers faster speeds, lower latency, higher capacity, increased flexibility, and increased reliability, supporting a range of digital applications in the creative industries such as virtual production, broadcast, advertising, digital twinning, automation and generative AI, amongst others.

This programme is designed to support innovative applications of 5G in the screen and performance sectors and will encourage proposals addressing a range of potential challenges including those in content production, multi-site collaboration, data access, distribution, consumption, net-zero and sustainability. This call is now closed but you can find out more about it in the Full Call Brief  document. 

Announcement about the successful companies coming soon.

Machine Earth specialises in creating custom systems for interactive and artistic experiences, with a focus on live performance through installation-based approaches. The company explores the intersection between arts and technology, providing insights into how technology can advance artistic expression.

Founded by directors Erin and Anthony, who bring together their experiences as self-taught coders and artists, Machine Earth aims to create unique tools that enable artists to seamlessly integrate audiences into their creative processes. Their CoSTAR project will develop an innovative tool for live artistic performances, allowing creators to bridge the gap between performer and audience through technology.

Copper Candle integrates live events and theatre with XR technology-based solutions. The company made headlines by launching the first independent music venue in Fortnite and has since developed cutting-edge solutions to enhance virtual space performances.

Their CoSTAR project investigates motion capture solutions that enable musicians to remotely animate their performances, evaluating the sustainability of artist-led workflows without direct technical intervention. The project addresses user experience and workflow challenges presented by AI-driven solutions that have yet to be optimised for high-quality independent performances in the metaverse.

Precision Devices, a UK component loudspeaker manufacturer with expertise in creating high-end professional audio equipment, will work with CoSTAR on groundbreaking research to advance the boundaries of live sound immersion through innovative loudspeaker technology.

The funded projects will run from August 2025 to October 2025, with ongoing support and guidance from the CoSTAR Network Labs.

Environmental Sustainability and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are central to our work at CoSTAR and all our Access Programmes. All projects, regardless of their main R&D focus, are expected to have a demonstrable engagement with either EDI, sustainability or both. This will be supported by training and mentorship in areas that include; equitable design, developing environmental sustainability principles and working with diverse user groups. 

Timeline: 

Open Date for Applications: Thursday 6 February 2025 

Closing Date for Applications: Thursday 20 March 2025

Project Start and Duration: Projects up to 3 months in duration and must begin after 1 May 2025 and end no later than 31 October 2025.

Supported by CoSTAR National Lab Prototypes and Pilots Programme costar.pilots@rhul.ac.uk