IT pioneer to inspire

About 450 people are expected at the 2018 South Island Dairy Event (SIDE) in June at the Dunedin Town Centre. 

Taylor founded Animation Research Ltd (ARS) 30 years ago after choosing Dunedin as his home town. 

He had been a rock singer, a soldier, a law student and a TV presenter; change had been a constant. 

Animation seemed an unlikely next step, but a joint venture with Otago University’s computer science department in 1989 led to the creation of ARS and a resulting revolution in televised sport. Today ARS covers sports events worldwide and has built Formula 1 race car simulators and air traffic control simulators.

Taylor says ARS’ achievements have come from a small team who, from day one, had open minds and believed there was nothing they couldn’t do. 

“We didn’t discover the digital world; it discovered us,” he said. “Someone invented the internet and they gave us a highway to that world. We have been travelling it ever since.” 

The dairy sector will hear this and other insights when Taylor addresses the conference on June 25.

Conference chair Terry Kilday says SIDE has always been led by farmers, for farmers. “Because of this, we know what is front and centre in farmers’ minds, and tailor the event to meet these needs.

“It gives them an opportunity to hear and see cutting-edge research, technologies and farming systems from leading farmers and business people.

“It also brings together many enthusiastic people to share their experiences one-on-one and learn from each other to progress.”