Belfast firm 360 Production has developed an app which is being used as part of a documentary on BBC Four called Contagion: BBC 4 Pandemic, part of a citizen science experiment to see how quickly a devastating pandemic could spread across the country. The app is being used as part of a citizen science experiment to see how quickly a devastating pandemic could spread across the country. It will collect data on the travel habits of users over a 24-hour period with results to be revealed in a 90-minute documentary to air on February 27, 2018, on BBC Four. Antony Fraser, CEO of 360 Production, said: “Invest NI’s ongoing advice and support has been invaluable in helping us to transform an initial concept into a viable product very quickly.

Worked collaboratively with local company

"We used the R&D support to work collaboratively with local company, Big Motive, to develop the BBC Pandemic app. The app will be used to collect data which will drive the content of the documentary.” 360 Production has partnered with the BBC to produce the documentary. The company also boasts clients including Smithsonian Channel, Discovery Channel, PBS, ARTE, Channel 4, Channel 5 and YouTube. “As well as securing this production contract with the BBC, we have also received interest from TV outlets in the US to produce a similar show. This is hugely encouraging and our next steps are to push the technology into Australia and Europe and raise our profile in these new markets,” added Fraser. “360 Production is working at the forefront of TV production," Dr Vicky Kell, Invest NI’s director of innovation and R&D said. "With our support, the company has undertaken R&D for the first time and in turn it has opened up a whole new market for its business and increased its potential for export growth. "This project demonstrates the wide range of areas that can be positively impacted by innovation of which research & development is part. “Investing in innovation will give a business a great chance of success. There are many aspects to innovation from developing new processes, improving packaging, or refining and developing new products. "I would encourage local businesses to take advantage of the full range of Invest NI support on offer to engage in innovation and ensure the long-term future of their business.” Invest NI’s R&D support is part-funded by ERDF under the EU Investment for Growth and Jobs Programme 2014-2020.