Local school takes part in Autonomous Systems disaster response film project
Local Year 10 students from the New Forest Academy in Holbury, have been working with Southampton University’s Autonomous Systems research group to make a short film based on a hypothetical disaster simulated at Fawley power station.
The film aims to demonstrate how robotics can be used in civil applications such as search and rescue, disaster recovery and dealing with an extreme pollution/ contamination event. The project is the University’s response to the EPSRC Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) network Grand Challenge 2017. The students were part of scenes filmed at the decommissioned Fawley Power Station, famous as the film set for the 2015 movie ‘Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation’ and the 2017 Channel 4 programme ‘Spies.’ All those who took part in the film will be invited to the film première which will be held at the University of Southampton in June alongside a hands-on exhibition of some of the robotics demonstrated in the film.
Professor James Scanlan, who leads the project, was mightily impressed by the professionalism and maturity of the Year 10 cast. The students, along with Hampshire Fire and Rescue, Police and participants from the team at Fawley; were the stars of the opening scene of the film. The film crew, from film company, Robin Creative Media, also paid tribute to the students. Production Coordinator, Julia Waldman said: ‘The students were magnificent in their approach; response to direction; patience and good humour. We felt really pleased with the shoot and hope that they also enjoyed the experience.’
The film will be on show in June as part of UK Robotics Week, follow the link for details.
We are delighted that New Forest Academy wanted to take part and grateful to the students for being such an excellent cast. We hope young people will be inspired by what autonomous systems can do when they see our film.