Section menu

Graduate Success Koule Future For Innovative Graduate

Computer Science graduate Tamie Salter speaks about how her time at the University has helped her set up Que innovations and develop KOULE, a robotic child development device.

A degree of opportunity

Tamie completed her Computer Science degree at the University in 2001 and went on to carry out a PhD with the world renowned AuRoRa Project based at the University.

Her PhD investigated the use of robotic devices as a tool or therapy aid for children with autism. In 2004 she was given the opportunity to spend some time with a research group in Canada as part of a collaboration with the university.

Tamie said: “It was an amazing opportunity, for both me and my young son, something that I am so grateful for.”

Whilst in Canada the successful graduate finished her PhD and went on to do Post Doctoral Research with the same research group.

Development of KOULE

Whilst carrying out her Post Doctoral research Tamie became increasingly frustrated that the results of the research didn’t seem to filter to the real world.

Tamie said: “I would see children with severe autism laugh and be happy with a robotic device, but afterwards we took the devices back to the lab and put them on a shelf.”

She added: “I wanted to see the devices stay with the children, so I decided to commercialise KOULE, as it was the best device I had worked with.”

KOULE is a rolling ball that uses smart games, motion, sounds, lights and patented touch sensing technology to stimulate the curiosity of the children interacting with it.

The device helps keep children active, assisting in improving their overall health and emotional wellbeing, it also includes special games for children with autism.

Current Role

Tamie set up her own company Que Innovations, an innovative product development company based in Canada, the USA and the United Kingdom. Que Innovations are about to bring KOULE into the market.

She said: “As a struggling single parent, I could never have believed the journey I was beginning: that it would lead to a PhD in robotics and being the President of an international robotics technology company.” The company is made up of an award-winning development team and is guided by some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs.

Tamie’s work with the company means she is now based between Canada and the USA but she comes back to the UK as much as possible.

University experience and future plans

Tamie feels studying a degree at the University of Hertfordshire is one of, if not the best decision she has ever made: “It gave me the tools and confidence I needed to go on, which have enabled me to achieve the things I have in my life.”

She added: “I cannot tell you how much the decision to go to the University of Hertfordshire has affected my life. I now have an international company that is bringing a product to the market that can make a real difference to the world.”