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Digital Catapult names Sunderland as one of three key areas for IoT project

Digital Catapult, the body responsible for driving the UK economy via digital innovation, has today announced three regional partners to support a new project aiming to establish infrastructure for Internet of Things (IoT) development.

Alongside Ulster University and Amphy Ltd, Sunderland Software City has been named as a partner in the initiative to establish Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) across the UK.

Awarded funding as part of the Catapult’s Things Connected programme, the three networks will expand upon Digital Catapult’s existing network in London and will be free to use for experimentation and prototyping, with associated SME innovation programmes.

Partnerships were awarded following a competitive Open Call, whereby consortia submitted their plans for IoT testing and development through varied initiatives across the private and public sectors.

From remote healthcare and wellness monitoring, to improving efficiency in the manufacturing sector, connected technologies will enable regions to better meet local business challenges and drive economic growth.

Dr Jeremy Silver, CEO, Digital Catapult, explained: “With 25 percent of IoT services expected to be delivered over LPWAN by 2025, failure to establish an accessible network could dull the UK’s competitive edge.

“The Things Connected programme aims to counter this threat by supporting the development of IoT, placing the UK in a better position to grasp a sizable chunk of this multitrillion-dollar global market.

Its regional roll-out will democratise resulting economic growth, ensuring that businesses across the country reap the day-to-day rewards this technology offers.“

Sunderland Software City will employ the network to develop smart water metering, streamline supply chain logistics and improve rail infrastructure.

Ulster University will drive efficiencies in healthcare service provision and manufacturing distribution. It will also use connected sensors to better understand tourism patterns

Amphy is working with WND UK to develop smart street barriers that will improve safety and monitoring systems for landslides, which it hopes to export to other vulnerable areas

Dr Silver continued: “IoT is set to revolutionise British business. Businesses using LPWAN-based IoT stand to benefit from low-cost connected tracking and monitoring capabilities, driving significant efficiencies.

“LPWAN technology is particularly suited to fundamental, low-data IoT requirements – connecting devices that send small amounts of data over a long range, using very little battery life.”

David Dunn, CEO, Sunderland Software City, added: “LPWAN will allow us to develop and deliver new IoT-based initiatives across the region and improve existing ones.

“In anticipation of several high profile events next year, IoT development will help us manage million-strong crowds and deliver the best possible visitor experience.

“It will also support our ambitions to improve our rail infrastructure, make Sunderland the first city in the UK to benefit from a fully-connected water metering system and smooth logistics at the region’s ports.”