Digital technology and artificial intelligence research are all vital parts of the current technological climate in Ireland. There has recently been a strong rise in the number of start-ups, mergers and further developments in this area.
The nation’s leading technological giants and academic institutions have a strong focus on the internet of things. This means improved tech and connectivity to make the lives of Irish citizens better. This means new hardware and software for all kinds of applications.
The scope of the industry means many various companies and programmes are working on IoT developments here.
Some large enterprises are leading the way here with Ireland’s IoT research.
The leading centre in Ireland for research into artificial intelligence is probably Accenture. They set up their new hub called The Dock to better analyse the rise of the internet of things.
Then there the Tyndall National Institute that receives EU funding for multiple projects and IoT start-ups. These groups partners with major organisations like the Telecommunications Software & Systems Group to support new ventures in IoT tech.
PwC is another major name for Ireland. This time the focus is on consultancy work and research into emerging technology. At the heart of much of this is strong research skills and opportunities.
Insight plays a big part here, with 400 researchers studying the use of the internet of things in health, social media, smart cities and much more.
The sophistication of the internet of things means that there are multiple components to consider – from communications and integration to hardware.
A strong IoT system requires good communication software and support. This is where BT come in with their global network and cloud software. They have a big hand in the Milton Keynes smart city project, so there is high hope in Ireland. They are not the only communication giants in the country.
Ericsson has arrived with 5G, Nokia Bell Labs partners with Amber, VT Networks are looking into zero battery consumption, and Vodafone is also after a piece of the pie.
There are all kinds of elements needed for strong biotech in the internet of things. Taoglas focuses on antennas for M2M connectivity within wireless devices. S3 Group, meanwhile, looks at semiconductors for satellite communications.
On a smaller scale, DecaWave proves new sensors. U-blox develops GPS systems within IoT products and solutions, with Cork as its national R&D centre. Movidius works with Intel to produce new chips with low power and high effectiveness.
Wearable devices and autonomous tech are an important part of the Ireland’s role in the internet of things.
Further AI work that goes beyond the IoT comes in the development of autonomous cars. This is what Analog are doing with laser beam steering technology.
On the subject of automotive cars, Cubic Telecom has a new global connectivity platform for Audi vehicles. Then there is Druid that uses IoT software in road safety tests and automation systems across Europe.
Bio-engineering and small scale production are also on the rise in Ireland thanks to agencies such as AMBER and their €4.4m Horizon 2020 research contract.
Wearable tech is a sub-industry with a lot of potential thanks to companies such as Comtrade. Here they are at work on IoT software with rapid development potential. There there are the new helmets and sophisticated tech of Daqri’s AR helmets down on Silicon Docks.
Firmwave is also keen to develop the internet of things within wearable devices, with the new Intel Quark microcontroller.
AMBER is part of Trinity College Dublin, one of the many educational institutions leading the way in technological research in Ireland.
This is more clearly seen with Connect, which collaborates with TCD, University College Cork (UCC), Dublin City University (DCU), University College Dublin (UCD), University of Limerick (UL) and more.
DCU has its electronic systems course and the DCU Alpha program. Here there is a separate campus for work on the internet of things and clean energy. Meanwhile, the University of Limerick offers an IoT summer school and the Lero Irish Software Research Centre. Ulster University hosted an Internet of Things Alliance event. Also, Maynooth University has the SFI’s national research centre for telecommunications.
Cork Institute of Technology’s Nimbus Centre covers a range of programmes on IoT-based systems integration, data analytics and cloud-based software. Many of these academic solutions are down to the PTC, who help with curriculums. PTC has also partnered with Deloitte.
It is all about taking the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence into exciting new directions.
Dublin has seen this with the redevelopment of Croke Park as a smart stadium and testing platform for new ideas. Over in farming, Dairymaster uses the IoT in the MooMonitor+ and Swiftflo Commander for up-to-date data on their herd and production. Then there are ventures in the ocean.
The SmartBay Subsea Observatory works with the Marine Institute and Sustainable Energy Authority on underwater sensors and marine data. Also, Wia is an IoT start-up creating an available link to school projects through helpful interfaces.
Then there are the intelligent buildings under developments at Johnson Controls. Here there is a desire to see greater energy efficiency and integrated infrastructure for smarter cities.
Finally, the growth of the internet of things in Ireland is now clear with the growth of international partnerships.
Silver Spring Networks shows the desire of the large international players to expand into Ireland. Here this US company works on new energy efficiency programmes. SAP, meanwhile, originated in Germany and looks at memory applications for real-time IoT and M2M systems.
Then there is the global PCH group that uses connectivity in devices with global skincare brands. Last, but not least, there is IBM. This company works on IoT solutions across the world and see Ireland as a great based on new healthcare tech and the Watson app.
The final thing to note here is that none of this would be possible without strong partnerships, funding and support. This is now clear with the links between companies and universities, but also the role of IDA Ireland.
This foreign direct investment agency steers everything in the right direction. They coined the terms Island of Things, highlighting Ireland’s place in IoT research once and for all.