Projects to support custodial staff, hospitals, mental health facilities and social housing among those to win backing from sensor and imaging systems centre
A handful of internet of things (IoT) projects with public service potential are among those to have been chosen for support as part this year’s CENSIS IoT Explorer competition.
The industry led innovation centre for sensor and imaging systems (SIS) – one of eight centres supported by the Scottish Funding Council – has chosen seven projects in all to receive up to 20 days’ support from its engineering and project management team.
Four have a clear potential for use in public services:
- Angel Monitors technology for custodial staff to monitor detainees’ health.
- Beringar sensors to help hospitals make better use of their movable assets and facilities.
- iOp Assets’ IoT technology for social housing landlords to monitor conditions such as damp and fuel poverty.
- Safehinge doorsets for mental health environments.
The other three projects deal with smart sportswear for monitoring physical performance, sharing mountain biking trails and optimising the suspension on bicycles.
The projects will also receive access to facilities at Glasgow’s Tontine incubator – supported by Glasgow City Council and the Department for Energy, Business and Industrial Strategy – and assistance in developing an investor pitch.
Social challenges
Dr Mark Begbie, business development director at CENSIS, said: “These businesses demonstrate that a wide range of organisations are embracing what the IoT has to offer. Not only are they new and innovative ideas, but many of them tackle fundamental social challenges we face today.
“While some are established companies, looking to offer new services and products, others are starting from scratch. There are exciting developments underway across Scotland’s broad tech scene.
“The IoT can change the way businesses of all types work – Scotland is leading the way with a commitment from the Scottish Government to establishing a national IoT network and six regional networks already in place. Our aim is to help as many companies as possible, regardless of their size or sector, to be at the forefront of these developments.”
Image from US Federal Trade Commission, public domain through Wikimedia.
