In collaboration with Mountain Rescue England and Wales (MREW), Mapyx have developed unique search and rescue software.

Pioneering digital mapping specialists relocate to the Innovation Centre

Mapyx Limited is one of the latest clients to relocate at the Innovation Centre. The team provide Geographic Information Solutions (GIS) for personal users, search and rescue, education, military and commercial customers.

The company is the official GIS provider to leading rescue organisations in Great Britain and part sponsors, supplies, trains such organisations including Mountain Rescue, Lowland Rescue and Cave Rescue.  They provide specialist software for search management, tracking, crime and counter terrorism to 40 per cent of the police forces and also develop and supply software for the MOD.

In 2010 Mapyx revolutionised the search management industry by introducing the first computerised search management tool.  Following a collaboration with Mountain Rescue England and Wales (MREW) they developed unique search and rescue software providing a crucial edge in time critical search and rescue scenarios. The technology has been utilised in a number of high profile investigations including missing person search, murder enquiries, defensive search, crime and counter terrorist operations.

As the recommended provider of tracking technology for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, the Mapyx technology is being used to track upwards of 10,000 participants on busy expedition weekends. The technology and support protocols have direct links with the UK Mission Control Centre and Maritime & Coastguard Agency who coordinate the rescue operations.  Each year typically, the system is utilised for formal rescues between 6 and 10 times and has proven itself as life-saving technology.

The Mapyx team chose Exeter for their relocation thanks to its quality of life and access to skilled talent.  Chairman, Steve Wood explained: “On a personal note, I chose Devon to purchase a small holding and finally live the good life! However, for our business, the unique location of the Innovation Centre allows the R&D nature of our business to expand. We look forward to utilising the resource at the University alongside postgraduate support for several projects in the pipeline.  We also plan to work with other like-minded clients based at the centre.”

The Mapyx team want to continue developing their communications modules for search and rescue management technology including smart phone interfaces. They aim to internationalise their offering and would like to see all UK based police forces using their products. Steve explained: “Our aim is to have all Police Forces in the UK utilising our systems as a common platform and to internationalise our product suite.  We have had a number of international projects and enquiries including USA, Canada, Poland, Germany, New Zealand, Kenya, Myanmar, Bhutan, Greenland, Eastern Europe and Africa. We have a unique product suite that is geographically transferable and look forward to exploring this international market.  At this very moment we are tracking 54 vehicles on an international rally in Japan, providing their emergency support and ‘top-cover’.”

Joe Pearce, Business Support said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome such a forward-thinking company like Mapyx to the Innovation Centre. They’ve made such progress in their field and I look forward to facilitating their collaboration with like-minded centre businesses and academics at the University to accelerate their impact.”

Date: 27 April 2017