22 February 2012: Cambridge Wireless - the leading independent wireless business and technology community – has been awarded an initial £50k funding for a multi-company research project under the government-backed Technology Strategy Board’s Internet of Things (IoT) Convergence initiative.
Designed to move towards an IoT application and services marketplace, the work will explore how data collected from environments, buildings, vehicles, clothing, portable devices and other objects can be shared over the internet to transform how people manage their lives and travel sustainably, and how services and entertainment can adapt dynamically as surroundings change.
The partners in the Cambridge Wireless led project are The University of Bath Department of Computer Science, Docobo, Secure Controls, SciSys, Personal Information Broker-Development and Bathcube. By bringing together specialists from the telemedicine, transport and environmental monitoring, energy and emerging information brokerage sectors, the Cambridge Wireless project, entitled ‘Cross domain IoT interchange Broker’, will examine how data can be shared securely to minimise the effects of a 'severe weather episode' on individuals, utilities, transport and the wider UK economy. This real-world example will harness information from disparate sources and of differing sensitivity, ranging from publicly available weather data through to confidential medical records.
“The Internet of Things is seen by most analysts as a major driver of new service and business revenues but is being held back by lack of data sharing,” said Graham Fisher, the Cambridge Wireless board member managing the project. “For example, data from smart meters or road traffic surveillance cameras are used for one isolated application and not available for general use. The future is a ‘converged IoT’ world where real value can be obtained by sharing data and creating a sustainable marketplace for innovative applications and services.”
Managed by the Technology Strategy Board (www.innovateuk.org), this is the first Government-funded initiative aimed at encouraging and accelerating an Internet of Things ecosystem. Following the initial studies, the Technology Strategy Board will invest up to £4 million later in 2012 in a further funding competition, leading to the development of a convergence demonstrator.
Cambridge Wireless believes that bringing together academic computer scientists and leading commercial data processing experts to investigate the realization of an 'information broker' system, delivering a secure data interchange market, will put them in a strong position for next ‘demonstrator’ project phase.
“With the number of connected objects estimated to reach 50 billion by 2020, The Internet of Things has the potential to change the way we live by creating exciting new applications and services,” said David Cleevely, Chairman of Cambridge Wireless. “Many of our members and those affiliated through the Silicon Southwest organisation are pioneering different aspects of IoT and this Technology Strategy Board funding is a great opportunity to bring together these skills and expertise to study the challenges and promote economic growth in this field.” Simon Bond, CEO and Founder of Silicon Southwest added, “The IoT project demonstrates the benefits of two clusters from Silicon Southwest and Cambridge Wireless working together and we hope the links formed will lead to long term commercial relationships between the organisations.”
About Cambridge Wireless
Cambridge Wireless is a leading industry forum and vibrant community with a rapidly expanding network of companies actively involved in the development and application of wireless technologies. In addition to high level networking dinners and events, a strong educational programme and business development activities, Cambridge Wireless runs the annual Future of Wireless International Conference along with the prestigious Discovering Start-Ups programme and competition to support emerging, innovative wireless companies.
Over 15 Special Interest Groups focused on specific technologies and market sectors, also provide opportunities for members to meet, form partnerships to exploit new commercial opportunities, and share knowledge and information about the latest industry trends and hot topics. Cambridge Wireless has partnerships with other leading industry clusters and organisations around the world to extend its international reach and to keep members up to date with the latest global developments and business opportunities. For more information, please visit: www.cambridgewireless.co.uk
For more information on Silicon Southwest, please go to: www.siliconsouthwest.co.uk
About the Technology Strategy Board
The Technology Strategy Board is a business-led government body which works to create economic growth by ensuring that the UK is a global leader in innovation. Sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Technology Strategy Board brings together business, research and the public sector, supporting and accelerating the development of innovative products and services to meet market needs, tackle major societal challenges and help build the future economy. For more information please visit: www.innovateuk.org.
The University of Bath, Computer Science Department ( http://www.bath.ac.uk/comp-sci/)
Docobo Ltd ( www.docobo.co.uk)
Secure Controls UK Ltd ( www.horstmann.co.uk)
SciSys UK Ltd ( www.scisys.co.uk)
Personal Information Broker- Development Ltd ( www.pib-d.net)
Bathcube Ltd, Telecommunications and Innovation Consultants ( www.BathCube.co.uk)
For more press information, please contact:
Peter Rennison or Allie Andrews,
PRPR
Tel: + 44 (0)1442 245030
Email: pr[at]prpr[dot]co.uk / allie[at]prpr[dot]co.uk
