New approach to Wearable devices wireless performance testing

Project Information

WearMark

Grant agreement ID: 717350

DOI

10.3030/717350

Project closed

EC signature date 17 February 2016

Start date 1 March 2016

End date 31 August 2016

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies - Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

VERKOTAN OY
Finland

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - WearMark (New approach to Wearable devices wireless performance testing)

Reporting period: 2016-03-01 to 2016-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The objective of the feasibility study was to determine the business and technical feasibility of the Verkotan’s new OTA wireless performance testing method and environment, providing vital input to the final product development. In order to do so, three tasks were set. First of all, a comprehensive business plan was developed to ensure successful commercialisation of the innovation project results. Secondly, an independent specialist patent attorney was subcontracted to carry out „freedom-to-operate“-study on OTA test environments. Thirdly, technical feasibility assessment of the OTA test environment on Healthcare & Medical and Industrial Smart Clothing wearables categories was carried out.

The project provided clear indication about a strong market need for such OTA testing services for wearables in several applications. The market study results were used for drafting a detailed business plan for Verkotan. The freedom-to-operate study demonstrated that Verkotan has all the necessary rights for commercial exploitation of project results. Finally, the technical feasibility study provided proof that the testing methods developed by Verkotan match the technological needs of wearables developers.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The SMEI Phase 1 feasibility study has proven the economic and technical feasibility of Verkotan’s new OTA wireless performance testing method and environment. Different business segments where our wireless performance test services could be used were closely examined by Verkotan’s marketing team.

Testing the GPS tracking accuracy of wearable devices has currently been the focus of Verkotan’s development activities, and the results in this area are closest to commercially usable solution. Also, cooperation with potential clients interested in GPS performance testing is ongoing (e.g. Polar Electro) and successful implementation in the segment can be used as a reference case for future sales in other segments.
The study indicated that positioning capabilities are extremely important for healthcare devices, connected cars, smart clothing and UWB services. Still, the most relevant market segments for the next new test methods are wearable healthcare devices and connected cars, since wireless performance is one of the key indicators in their successful development process.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The feasibility assessment confirmed that Verkotan’s OTA testing method and chamber for wearables has clear technical advantages over the competing solutions of the market. The market is very fragmented and there is no standard. Given the advantages of Verkotan’s solution, there is a good opportunity to set the new method as the de facto standard on the market.

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