A panel of local innovators will take the stage at The Frontier on Thursday for a discussion on all things “smart” tech.

The panelists represent organizations that are leading the way in IoT, civic engagement, immersive technologies, textiles and health.

Speakers include Wynns Family Psychology Owner Dr. Kristen Wynns, NCSU Nano-EXtended Textiles Research Group Director and Textile Engineering Associate Professor Dr. Jesse Jur, City of Cary CIO Nicole Raimundo, K4Connect Engineering Operations and Quality Director Shannon Smith, and RTI Head of Immersive Technologies Lab Lucas Blair.

The event, held January 17 from 5-7:30 p.m., is part of Research Triangle Park’s monthly RTP180 series, sponsored by RTI International—a gathering of entrepreneurs, researchers, university faculty/staff, professionals and tech enthusiasts. The Frontier hosts five experts, hailing from local universities, startups, corporations and nonprofits, for a panel discussion on the selected theme.

Amanda Frystock, director of programs at The Frontier, says this month’s “smart” focus is representative of a larger movement in the Triangle exploring solutions in this space.

“With the talent coming out of our local universities and the opportunities from job creation in the area, the work done in this region is having not only a national, but global impact,” Frystock said.

Frystock cites evidence of the Triangle’s “smart wave” in innovations such as the medical data devices developed by BD Technologies in RTP, or the “Smart Toilet” disease detection platform from Duke University’s Center for Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Infectious Disease.

Due to the broad range of industries developing smart technology in the Triangle, Frystock says it was important for The Frontier to curate a lineup with different backgrounds.

“No two speakers interact with or interpret ‘smart’ the same way,” Frystock added. “Our goal is to give a holistic view of the topic at hand each month, and with that encourage attendees to step outside their comfort zone and consider viewpoints they may not be familiar with, or, at times agree with.”

The event is free and open to the public but will also be livestreamed on RTP’s website. Tickets are available on Eventbrite. Attendees can follow along with the event hashtag #RTP180.

https://wraltechwire.com/event/rtp180-smart/