In a move to make Australia the “innovation nation”, the iconic South Australian technology and communications company Hills is now based at Flinders University’s new $120 million Tonsley facility.

Hills, which provides solutions in healthcare, security and surveillance technologies, has moved its innovation centre and shared services teams from Hindmarsh to the state-of-the-art Flinders University building at Tonsley, which was officially unveiled this week.

Hills Limited Group Managing Director and CEO Mr Ted Pretty said the move represented a shift to, “a more collaborative space that can contribute to developing new products and driving new revenues”.

The company’s move to Flinders at Tonsley, located on the former Mitsubishi Motors site, will allow it to work closely with students and researchers to assist in developing cutting edge medical devices and assistive living technologies.

Hills is today transforming old world manufacturing by providing innovators and entrepreneurs with the opportunity to submit their ideas, projects and startups that can be developed and commercialised in its innovation centre at Tonsley.

The Flinders at Tonsley building centrally locates the University’s School of Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics, with the Medical Device Research Institute (MDRI) and Centre for NanoScale Science and Technology.

It is also the base for the Flinders New Venture Institute which already has significant links to the Hills innovation centre through its activities in business incubation and entrepreneurial training.

Internationally renowned biomedical engineer Professor Karen Reynolds said that having businesses such as Hills located at Tonsley would create exciting and dynamic opportunities.

“Tonsley offers enormous scope for Flinders to collaborate with industry partners to develop, harness and direct technologies incorporating the University’s teaching and research strengths in such areas as engineering, allied health, disabilities and aged care,” said Professor Reynolds.

“In terms of community wellbeing, this will bring widespread benefits locally, nationally and beyond.”