Third Annual Bluetooth Innovation World Cup Now Open
Global contest challenges innovators to create new uses for Bluetooth® technology
KIRKLAND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) is once again looking for ideas and prototypes in the areas of health care, sports and fitness, automotive, entertainment, and more, that use Bluetooth technology version 4.0, in this year’s edition of the Innovation World Cup (IWC). Now in its third year, the trade organization contest calls on developers, entrepreneurs and students to submit concepts for applications making use of the low energy feature of Bluetooth v4.0.
“We have seen some powerful ideas and prototypes in our past two competitions and this year should be no different, especially as v4.0 commercializes over the course of 2011,” said Michael Foley, Ph.D., executive director of the Bluetooth SIG. “Bluetooth wireless technology offers enormous potential for the development of innovative, wireless solutions in a wide range of markets. The low energy feature of Bluetooth v4.0 allows for low cost and low power wireless connectivity, while also retaining the simplicity, security and massive install base that is inherent with Bluetooth technology. That’s a lot of functionality to play around with for this competition.”
Entries for the 2011 IWC competition are being accepted May 1 through September 15 at www.InnovationWorldCup.com. Finalists’ ideas and prototypes will be presented at MEDICA in Dusseldorf in November 2011 and at CES in Las Vegas in January 2012, where international audiences will have the chance to rank the finalists. The Innovator of the Year award will be announced and presented at ispo in Munich, also in January 2012. The Innovator of the Year will receive prize money of USD 5,000 and a Bluetooth Qualification Program voucher worth up to USD 10,000, as well as an Ellisys Bluetooth protocol analyzer.
2011 IWC Sponsors
Texas Instruments (TI) is the title sponsor of this year’s IWC. TI will be awarding free Bluetooth v4.0 development kits to the first 20 developers who submit prototypes to the competition. Additional sponsors for this year’s competition include Ellisys and Freescale Semiconductor as preferred technology partners, and Bluegiga, Nordic Semiconductor, STMicroelectronics and VARTA Microbattery. Freescale will give out free sensor toolboxes to interested participants, and Bluegiga will award starter kits to the nine finalists. Furthermore, the IWC is supported by an international network of partners including the Continua Health Alliance, ispo, Team Côte d’Azur, Wearable Technologies and the WFSGI.
Bluetooth Innovator of the Year 2010
Last year’s Innovator of the Year award was presented to the Pervasive Computer Group at Imperial College, London for its small ear sensor that measures balance, body posture, activity level and heart rate.
"We were delighted to win the 2010 Bluetooth Innovation World Cup. Bluetooth low energy technology represents an important step towards realizing the full potential of body sensor networks for the future of health care, well-being and sports," said Professor Yang at The Pervasive Computing Group at the Imperial College in London.
About the Bluetooth Innovation World Cup
In its first two years, the Bluetooth Innovation World Cup received submissions from more than 500 developers around the world. The ideas made use of the unique characteristics of Bluetooth v4.0, such as low power consumption, and the possibility of transforming entire industries with a simple, secure and super-efficient networking technology. For the third year, the Bluetooth SIG is looking for new applications and products that use the low energy feature of Bluetooth v4.0, primarily in the fields of health care, sports and fitness, automotive and entertainment. The contest begins May 1, 2011. For more information, visit the Innovation World Cup site at www.InnovationWorldCup.com. The Bluetooth Innovation World Cup 2011 is sponsored by Texas Instruments, Ellisys, Freescale Semiconductor, Bluegiga, Nordic Semiconductor, STMicroelectronics and VARTA Microbattery. For information on becoming a Bluetooth SIG member, visit www.bluetooth.org.
About Bluetooth® Wireless Technology
Bluetooth wireless technology is the global wireless standard enabling simple connectivity for a broad range of electronic devices. Version 4.0 featuring Bluetooth low energy technology creates new application opportunities for products within the mobile phone, consumer electronics, PC, automotive, health & fitness and smart energy industries. With nearly two billion devices shipping annually, Bluetooth technology is the only proven wireless solution for developers, product manufacturers, and consumers worldwide. Backed by industry leading companies, the Bluetooth SIG empowers more than 14,000 member companies to collaborate, innovate and guide Bluetooth wireless technology. For more information please visit www.bluetooth.com. Bluetooth wireless technology: Simple. Secure. Everywhere.
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KEYWORDS: United States North America Washington
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Technology Consumer Electronics Telecommunications Mobile/Wireless
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