The UK government is offering a £10m fund to spur public-private initiatives in the Internet-of-Things(IoT) space. The fund targets the application of IoT in various socio-economic segments including environmental improvements, economic opportunities, and more efficient and effective delivery of services such as transport, healthcare and energy. The £10m fund offered by UK's Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Innovate UK is part of a wider £40 million UK government's investment in IoT.
The £10m fund will be granted for projects that are able to meet these objectives and that comply to the funds' requirements including the need for the projects to be led by at least one local authority or one local enterprise (or an equivalent body outside England) along with a number of private businesses. Participants are required to register by the 23rd of September.
In its statement, the UK government cited a few examples on how the IoT can translate into immense benefits for citizens. The examples, which illustrate the use of IoT for smart cities include the following:
- Smart lighting and sensing allows a city to gather and share information on footfalls, air quality and noise pollution levels.
- Commuters information helps the measurement of passenger journeys and provides location-based services to help speed up journeys and enhance passenger experiences across various forms of transport.
- Data collection from traffic and road sensors helping ease congestion and reduce emissions within the city.
Digital Economy Minister Ed Vaizey
The Internet of Things is rapidly becoming part of our everyday lives. The UK technology sector is renowned for its creativity and pioneering research and development.
Nick Appleyard, Innovate UK’s deputy director for government partnerships
The Internet of Things is on the brink of connecting communities and commerce across the UK. The transformative technology will make our lives more connected, allowing us to make more informed decisions based on data and drive the productivity of companies. The UK has the opportunity to become a world-leader in this sector, boosting the economy and creating the jobs of tomorrow. Innovate UK has a vital part to play in working with companies and local partnerships to make this happen.
