Cambridge Wireless wins funding for IoT initiative

The independent wireless business plans to 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 Controla, 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' is designed to 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. According to Graham Fisher, the Cambridge Wireless board member managing the project, 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 Fisher. "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 TSB, this is the first government funded initiative aimed at encouraging and accelerating an IoT ecosystem. Following initial studies, the TSB will invest up to £4million later in 2012 in a further funding competition, leading to the development of a convergence demonstrator. "With the number of connected objects estimated to reach 50billion 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, pictured. "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."