Government Pumps £8.6m Into ‘Internet Of Things’ And Green IT Research
Internet of Things, energy-efficient computers, and better batteries are all on David Willetts’ list
Universities and science minister David Willetts has announced a £6.2 million competition focused on the ‘Internet of Things’, as well as £2.4 million for green IT projects.
The Internet of Things is the name given to interconnected networks of human-controlled and automated machines, which can include anything from light switches to cars. The government wants to spur innovation in the area, announcing that eight business-led projects will develop smart applications across areas such as transport, energy and the “built environment”.
Internet of Things gets government backing
“Investing in new ideas for technology now means that the UK will maintain its position as a global leader for innovation,” Willetts said today.
“Through our life sciences strategy and Innovation and Research Strategy we are laying the foundations for future financial benefits in these high growth areas of technology.”
The Technology Strategy Board is bringing the funding. Another £2.4 million is to go on energy efficiency research, £1.25 million of which will see nine businesses develop research on how to make computers consume less energy. The remainder will go into a competition for 10 organisations to research energy harvesting, looking at ways to make batteries last longer or remove them altogether.
The funding was announced at the Innovate UK 2013 event in London today, where Willetts also announced £47.2 million was to be invested in the Biomedical Catalyst project, which will help 51 businesses in the industry with their research initiatives.
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