Inverness firm Aiber plans to take on more workers following an upgrade of its innovative in-flight medical technology.
An unspecified number of jobs will be created next year as Aiber rolls out its product to customers across the aviation and maritime sectors in areas including Europe, the US and Middle East.
The company’s new and improved system for managing medical emergencies in the air follows trials of an earlier version with aircraft manufacturing giant Boeing.
Our work with Boeing has really been fantastic in terms of developing our product and setting Aiber on the path to further growth.”
Anne Roberts, chief executive, Aiber.
Aiber – the trading name of Mime Technologies – expects to create a range of new roles, including in software development, sales, and service support.
The firm’s technology is expected to benefit the many thousands of travellers who fall ill on flights annually.
It provides fast and accurate support to cabin crew, pilots and clinicians on the ground.
According to Aiber, one leading airline diverts as many as 60 flights a year due to health problems.
A single diversion caused by a medical incident can cost a commercial airline anything from £25,000 to £500,000.
Compact system will help crew in times of stress
Aiber said six months of “intensive” trials with Boeing had underlined the need for its device to be as lightweight and compact as possible for stowage on aircraft.
Technologists and aviation health experts were also able to evaluate how the technology performed in a range of real-world emergency scenarios.
A subsequent upgrade and re-design has made the system more compact, with an easy-to-use layout and clear labelling to help crew in times of stress.
Our product video explains how our onboard medical emergency solution works, what the main challenges are that Aiber solves and how your crew/company can benefit.#Aiber #productvideo #medtech #aviation #maritime pic.twitter.com/fbyikpVRmN
— Aiber (@aiber_uk) October 21, 2022
Aiber co-founder and chief executive Anne Roberts said: “Our work with Boeing has really been fantastic in terms of developing our product and setting Aiber on the path to further growth.
“At the heart of everything we do is supporting air crews with lifesaving skills and emergency management by giving them the tools they need to communicate the emergency properly, so they can respond in a calm and confident manner whilst the airline can demonstrate responsible safety mitigation.”
Boeing invested a six-figure sum in the technology and also accepted Aiber on to its ATI Boeing Accelerator, now known as Aerospace Xelerated, which aims to shape the future of sustainable aerospace.
Jacqueline Davidson, programme director, Aerospace Xelerated said: “We are delighted to have supported the Aiber team with this important phase of testing and validation of their inflight emergency product.
“Coupled with their successful investment in May 2022, this testing lays foundation for growth and for the company to service their customers on a global scale.”
Aberdeen University roots
Aiber was established at the end of co-founder and chief operating officer Alasdair Mort’s postgraduate studies at Aberdeen University’s Centre for Rural Health in Inverness.
BGF – formerly the Business Growth Fund – ploughed £1.6m into the medical technology company earlier this year.
Existing investors Scottish Enterprise and Equity Gap also committed new funds.
Conversation