Closing Keynote Presentation

4:40pm 17 September 2010

Ian Taylor
Ian Taylor

Founder, Animation Research Ltd

After a successful television career, Ian Taylor shot to fame in the computing world in 1992 by revolutionalising the way the world watched sport, with the creation of real-time 3D graphics for the Americas Cup.

In 1999 Virtual Spectator was born – a real-time 3D graphics tracking system enabling the Americas Cup to be tracked and viewed in 3D in real time. This created even more revolutionary graphics for TV as well as the ability to broadcast the race online in a digital form for the first time ever. This was later expanded to cover other sports such as Golf, Cricket, Motorsport, Gliding and Aerosports.

His company is credited with many other international breakthroughs in digital and 3D graphics, and were responsible for content as diverse as the Bluebird’s Skiing Penguins.

Ian claims to know nothing about technology but, having recently turned 60, can claim to having been on hand throughout the 50 year journey to watch it develop. From having electricity arrive in his home at the age of 10 to seeing his son admitted as the first cochlea implant student to Otago Medical School, Ian has seen first hand the miracles that technology has delivered.

About Ian Taylor

Ian Taylor (Ngati Kahungunu) is recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading Maori innovators.

After a 20 year career with Television New Zealand, featuring in popular programmes such as Play School, Spot On and NZ Funniest Home Videos, Ian left in 1988 to establish three successful technology businesses from his base in Dunedin.

Taylormade Media, a television and multi media company, brought to life such things as the Bluebird Chips skiing penguins. Animation Research Ltd (ARL) was and still is one of the country’s most celebrated high tech companies; and BookIt, a specialist on line booking company.

Taylor was inducted into the New Zealand Technology Hall of Fame in 2009 and was named North & South Magazines 2010 New Zealander of the Year.