The Future is PROTO and it's in Gateshead
PROTO: The Emerging Technology Centre, Gateshead is the North East's new home for innovation and digital disruption. Providing the latest emerging technology equipment such as VR headsets, haptics and wearable bodysuits, as well as motion capture equipment, to support industry in producing cutting-edge digital content.
The new facility provides a double height, multi-purpose and acoustically soundproofed complex that can be transformed to allow businesses an environment from which to explore emerging technology applications with no boundaries.
PROTO houses the only 360° 3D photogrammetry rig outside of the famous Pinewood Studios in London and 24Ten in Sheffield attracting businesses and tenants from all across the UK to the coolest space in town.
Gateshead Council continues to look to the future and position itself as a global leader in the drive to develop and bring to market emerging technologies. "As a council, when it comes to investment, Gateshead tends to put its money where its mouth is," explains Sheena Ramsey, chief executive of Gateshead Council. "We accessed £3m from the Regional Development Fund and just under £1m from the Local Enterprise Partnership but the rest we funded ourselves.
"We see this what's here already in Baltic Quarter as a catalyst for further growth. We want to create the ideal work-life balance and we're hoping to develop housing on the doorstep to complement the tech space already there.
"The interest we've had from digital businesses around PROTO has been incredible. When we talk to developers, particularly in London and internationally, they cannot believe the scale of the development and the opportunities which exist in Gateshead. They see that there's an opportunity to achieve something genuinely exciting, using state-of-the-art facilities and technology."
