CoSTAR Live Lab Welcomes Three Innovative R&D Projects
CoSTAR Live Lab Welcomes Three Innovative R&D Projects
CoSTAR Live Lab has welcomed three new R&D projects as part of their Prototypes & Pilots Programme. The CoSTAR Network's inaugural call - "New Frontiers in Live Performance" - awarded three UK SMEs with comprehensive support packages worth over £100,000, including cash funding of up to £13,000 per project to research and develop innovative products and technologies for the creative sector.
The new cohort's projects span diverse areas including user experience research for immersive technologies, interactive artistic experiences, and live performances in virtual environments.
Glen Kelly, Programme Manager at CoSTAR Live Lab, said: "This R&D funding call was highly competitive, attracting applications from some of the UK's most innovative creative technology companies. The Live Lab team are excited to work with this cohort of businesses as they push the boundaries of what's possible in live performance. These projects represent the future of creative technology - where art, audience, and innovation converge to create entirely new experiences."
Project Spotlights
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.