A BED which converts into an Exercise Station among the best Essex inventions In newly released Government figures

Other inventions include a mistreatment monitoring system for people in care and a vehicle headlight system which lowers the beam when an oncoming vehicle is detected.

An exercise station bed that capitalises on the home workout trend, and a monitoring device which alerts authorities to possible signs of abuse suffered by patients in care are just two of the 96 inventions dreamed up in Essex in 2021. 

Figures show that Harlow was Essex’s most innovative local authority of 2021, with 14 patent applications published. It was followed by Colchester in second with 12 applications and Tendring in third with 10 applications. 

Despite having one of the largest populations in Essex, Thurrock came in last place with just 1 patent application to its name. 

Harlow’s inventions include a vehicle headlight system which detects light from oncoming vehicles and automatically provides a lower beam illumination of the oncoming vehicle, preventing glare and discomfort to the other road user. Invented by Lazer Lamps Ltd, a camera light-based sensor system would be installed within the vehicle and allow road users to permanently use a high beam at night whilst the sensor automatically alters the beam when other vehicles are detected.

An innovation from Epping Forest-based Ashley James Rolfe is a wearable device with sensors worn by patients connected wirelessly to a hub device. The system would detect movements and keywords indicative of the mistreatment of those in care. The wearable device would include a panic button, which would trigger a video and sound recording function through the hub, notifying the person/s receiving alerts via a mobile phone which can access a live feed. According to the patent application, both the wearable and hub device could be disguised as everyday items such as a watch (wearable sensor) or air freshener (the hub), so they would not be noticed by others.

Another innovation which caught the eye also originates from Epping Forest – it is the bed frame which converts into an exercise station. The invention from Colin Montgomery and applicant Zenith Pivotal Ltd provides home fitness enthusiasts with a pull-up bar and dip bars, all from the comfort of their own bed. The application’s description states that limited floor space available in many types of accommodation can preclude effective exercise at home, a problem the invention can alleviate. 

The information was obtained from the UK Intellectual Property Office through a Freedom of Information Act Request by Essex-based accountants Devonports R&D, which specialises in Research and Development Tax Relief for SMEs. 

Speaking about the figures and inventions, Steve Collins, Director of Devonports R&D commented:

“It’s great to see that Essex continues to be a place of innovation and creativity. From caring for the most vulnerable in society to improving people’s everyday lives, the inventions of 2021 provide great insight into how inventors were reimagining a post-COVID-19 world.

“At Devonports R&D, we get to see the best innovations Essex has to offer every day, and the new local authority figures we have obtained, together with the value of the inventions themselves reaffirm our belief that Essex will continue to thrive when it comes to innovation.”

Out of 367 local authorities in the UK, Harlow ranked 101 overall. Westminster with 216 patent applications came on top, followed by Wiltshire with 210 in second and Coventry in third with 167.

The grand total of patent applications in the UK amounted to 5,679.