MediaCityUK has partnered with Connected Places Catapult to hold the UK Smart City Innovation Testbed program. It aims to discover how cities can use technology to adapt to a post-COVID world, especially how cities can evolve by using the Internet of Things (IoT).
Six start-ups will be taking part in the program and will have the chance to develop and prototype their products with the aim of securing investment at the end of the program – along with being able to access MediaCityUK’s technology infrastructure to deploy and test their products in a living lab environment.
The six companies taking part include:
- Atmo Technology: an air quality data company that uses IoT devices and advanced algorithms to help employers monitor the pollution levels within their offices;
- Cyber Defence Services: an IoT security platform – OvertAI – which monitors devices connected to the network and detects threats;
- Hello Lamp Post: technology that allows people to converse with street furniture, giving them the opportunity to share their ideas with town planners;
- Secure Sensor Innovative Design: an IoT system that allows organisations such as care homes to monitor temperature and humidity levels and can also detect sudden falls from elderly residents;
- R-Com: a comprehensive smart city solution with a suite of sensors that can count passengers on public transport, measure air quality, and monitor vehicles on roads; and,
- Pulse Systems: an IoT platform with sensors that help businesses make a building smart.
The program is led by UP Ventures.
“Working towards a post-pandemic world we have an opportunity to create a profoundly positive impact on the way people adapt and thrive,” said Steve Thomas, managing partner, UP Ventures. “At the heart of our smart city innovation testbed is a passion for technology, the role of places and how they can adapt to support how people live, work, play and learn. This is a challenging time for business, however, it has never been more important to innovate and that is why we intend to press on with supporting this talented group of innovators.”