The UK Government has launched a £10m Internet of Things (IoT) competition as part of its planned £40m IoT investment announced in the March pre-election budget.
The competition allows cities and businesses to apply for funding to develop technologies which will revolutionise the way the IoT will work to the benefit of citizens.
The government wants to encourage and support local authorities to find innovative solutions for urban problems like noise pollution, air quality and traffic congestion.
The technologies should promise environmental improvements, economic opportunities, and better delivery of services such as transport, healthcare and energy.
Every participating project, which is expected to run for about two years, is required to involve several partners including at least one local authority, one local enterprise partnership and various businesses.
They should also include specific benefits for citizens, the city region and the environment; economic benefits for businesses and local authorities, both during and after the trial period; appropriate security and privacy features; and be able to work across several sectors.
The deadline for registration is 23 September and all submissions must be made by end of that month.
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UK Digital Economy Minister Ed Vaizey said: "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.
"This competition will be instrumental in discovering new connections between city services and their users, and identifying many more advantages that the Internet of Things could offer."
Macario Namie, VP of Strategy at Jasper, said: "IoT is already impacting our lives every day, often in ways that are completely invisible to the public. IoT is having dramatic effects on the transportation industry, making shipping and fleet management more efficient to reduce traffic in our cities and reduce fuel consumption.
"It is changing the face of public safety by enabling gunshot detection systems that help law enforcement reduce the occurrence of violent crime. IoT is also revolutionizing agriculture, helping to maximize water usage and increase crop yield to better feed an increasing population.
"Whether we realize it or not, IoT is making our lives more convenient, safer, and more productive. So it is very encouraging to see the government’s investment in continuing IoT innovation."
