The Control 21 Innovation Lab™ is for problems that do not fit neatly into consulting, software, engineering or product-development categories. It combines those disciplines around the outcome.
Who it is for
- Organisations with a new product or service concept
- Teams needing a rapid prototype before committing to full development
- Clients integrating digital and physical systems
- Property, museum, visitor or command environments requiring intelligent control
- Specialist problems that require CAD, automation, software or additive manufacturing together
Capabilities
- Concept and solution design
- Digital products and internal tools
- CAD and product engineering
- 3D printing and rapid prototyping
- IoT and automation integration
- Building/environment control
- Interactive and immersive systems
- Pilot and manufacture-readiness support
Stage-gate method
Explore
Clarify the problem, users, constraints, commercial intent and success criteria.
Concept
Develop solution options, architecture, sketches, workflows or early digital designs.
Prototype
Build the minimum artefact needed to test assumptions.
Validate
Test usability, technical feasibility, operational fit and stakeholder response.
Refine
Improve the preferred concept and resolve major design risks.
Pilot
Prepare a limited real-world deployment or manufacture-ready handoff where appropriate.
Engagement options
Early-stage
Concept Sprint
Rapid exploration of an unusual problem or opportunity.
- Problem framing
- Concept options
- Feasibility view
- Recommended next step
Validation
Prototype Build
Design and build a testable digital or physical prototype.
- Design
- Prototype
- Testing
- Iteration
Operational trial
Pilot Program
Move a validated concept into a controlled real-world pilot.
- Pilot design
- Integration
- Operational testing
- Handover recommendations
Control 21 examples
- Control 21 Cable Identification System — field-focused product-development concept
- Orthodontic bracket design concepts — specialist physical-product design example
- Command and control environments — integrated displays, dashboards, automation and operational interfaces
- Immersive/interactive environments — museum, visitor, learning and simulation applications
- Intelligent buildings — lighting, HVAC, metering, security, IoT and automation
IP and ownership
Project-specific IP ownership, background IP, licensing and commercialisation rights are defined in the applicable proposal or development agreement. Control 21 does not assume one ownership model for every project.
Typical timing
A concept sprint may take 1–3 weeks; prototypes commonly take 3–10+ weeks; pilot timing depends on integration, manufacture and site constraints.
What is not included
- Regulatory certification unless explicitly scoped
- Mass manufacture or production tooling unless agreed
- Patent/legal advice
- Safety-critical engineering certification unless provided by appropriately qualified parties
Success measures
- A validated solution direction
- Reduced technical/commercial uncertainty
- A testable prototype or pilot
- Clear go/no-go decision evidence
- A credible pathway to implementation or manufacture
FAQs
Do you only work on digital products?
No. The Innovation Lab intentionally crosses digital and physical product, automation and intelligent-environment work.
Can you start with just an idea?
Yes. A Concept Sprint is designed for that stage.
Who owns the IP?
That is agreed project by project in the commercial terms.