Students from Watford got a glimpse of the digital future when they piloted miniature robots and flying cameras last week.

Year 12 and 13 students from West Herts College took part in Middlesex University’s Digital Futures event, held at Hendon campus.

Russell Pearson, associate dean of engineering and information sciences, said: “Computing degrees are not just about being in front of a screen, many IT students create the inventions of the future.”

Students also worked with digital sound to create club and dj-style rhythms.

Using USB sensors they turned the vibrations into rainbow patterns displayed on a large screen, which changed size depending on the volume of sound.

Robert Higginson, tutor, said: “I think what students will take from today’s event is that IT has so many applications in real life.

“It’s opening their eyes to a whole range of experiments and design currently going on in the IT world”.

Students were shown a mobile microscopic camera designed for the Police Force, which can be programmed to move up lampposts and other metal structures and relay images from above ground level.

For more information, telephone Middlesex University on 020 8411 5000 or go to www.mdx.ac.uk/eis.