Member Article

Digital Catapult launches new London-wide IoT network to support entrepreneurs and startups

Innovation network Digital Catapult has launched a new initiative that it hopes will help to drive the adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) technology and cement the capital’s pedigree as one of the world’s smartest cities.

The new Digital Catapult Things Connected programme, which launches today, will see 50 IoT hubs installed across London which businesses and entrepreneurs can freely use to help test their connected device innovations and products.

Working in collaboration with a roll call of big name partners, including BT, Imperial College London and UCL amongst many others, the programme will support the evolution of a new generation of tech that could improve the lives of Londoners.

Examples cited by Digital Catapult include the installation of smart sensors that can guide cyclists along the safest routes, the optimisation of drone deliveries and pollution sensors to help asthma sufferers; however, the potential of IoT smart devices is potentially endless.

Rajesh Agrawal, the Deputy Mayor for Business, described IoT technology as a ‘crucial sector’ and that this new initiative would help the city stay competitive in the burgeoning sector.

He commented: “Digital Catapult Things Connected will help to drive business innovation by embracing Internet of Things technologies across London.

“By continuing to make our city smart and connected, we are showing that London is Open as we work to improve the lives and wellbeing of many by tackling the big issues we face in healthcare, transport and energy.”

Things Connected will start by laying the groundwork for the capital’s LoRaWAN network, which is the wordy shorthand for the low power, low frequency technology that helps IoT devices communicate, with further low power technologies set to be added as the programme develops.

Following the project’s roll-out in London, Digital Catapult is looking to set up similar networks in cities across the UK to help entrepreneurs capitalise on a market that is set to grow to £20bn by 2018.

Touching upon the wider aims of the programme, Digital Catapult’s Chief Executive Officer, Jeremy Silver, said: “Things Connected is starting in London but we want it to cover the UK. To capture more of the digital dividend in the UK economy, we need to accelerate the adoption of the internet of things.

“Things Connected empowers London’s terrific tech community to test their IoT innovations so they can begin to improve the quality of life for those living or working across the capital. This is the beginning of our work.

“We aim to roll Things Connected out to help remove the barriers to IoT technology for businesses, and create new revenue opportunities for entrepreneurs and for smaller and larger companies.”