Nordic sponsorerer Bluetooth-innovation

Bluetooth Innovation World Cup hedder en ny innovationskonkurrence, der sponsoreres af bl.a. Nordic Semiconductor (in english)

In conjunction with the Bluetooth SIG – an 11,000 member strong organization driving the development of Bluetooth wireless technology – the Bluetooth Innovation World Cup is also being sponsored by the world’s largest winter sporting goods trade show – ispo; and the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI).

Application entries should be submitted to the Bluetooth SIG between June 1 and October 31, 2009 (see tinyurl.com/dy8yyq) and will be unveiled at the next ispo show in February 2010. Three regional winners will be announced for Asia, Europe and the US, of which one will also receive a global “Bluetooth Innovator of the Year” award.

Nordic Semiconductor’s proprietary ULP 2.4GHz wireless connectivity solutions have been successfully employed in millions of fitness, healthcare and sports applications such as heart rate monitors (HRMs), ECG recording monitors, odometers, pedometers, speed and distance sensors, pulse oximeters, and thermometers.

These proprietary solutions are ideal where an OEM is manufacturing both ends of the wireless link (for example a HRM/sports watch combination from a company such as Sunnto or Polar). However, the market will expand rapidly when an interoperable alternative becomes available so that products and peripherals from different manufacturers can communicate seamlessly with each other after a simple pairing operation.

Traditional Bluetooth wireless technology is not suitable because it requires more power than can be supplied by the modest capacity – typically coin cell (watch) or AAA/AA – batteries powering the wireless sensors in fitness, healthcare and sports applications.

Bluetooth low energy wireless technology addresses the challenge, having been designed from the outset to be compatible with small battery devices. The technology will be based on an open specification and be the catalyst for a wide range of new low-power and -cost, interoperable wireless peripherals in fitness, healthcare, and sports.

- Nordic Semiconductor’s sponsorship adds greatly to the credibility of the Bluetooth Innovation World Cup, says Anders Edlund, Marketing Director, EMEA, Bluetooth SIG.
- Nordic has been involved in drafting the specification for Bluetooth low energy since its inception and the company is renowned for powering wireless connections in exactly the kind of innovative products we expect to become even more widespread once Bluetooth low energy is launched.

- We are delighted to be involved with the Bluetooth SIG’s inaugural innovation event, says Geir Langeland, Nordic Semiconductor’s Director of Sales & Marketing.
- Nordic is an innovative company in its own right, and plans to be the premier supplier of Bluetooth low energy wireless ICs. We therefore have a natural affinity for the Innovation World Cup and it was a simple decision to become a sponsor.

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) is a privately held, not-for-profit trade association. The SIG was founded in September 1998. The Bluetooth SIG itself does not make, manufacture, or sell Bluetooth enabled products. The main tasks for the Bluetooth SIG are to publish Bluetooth specifications, administer the qualification program, protect the Bluetooth trademarks and evangelize Bluetooth wireless technology.

The SIG has more than 11,000 member companies that are leaders in the telecommunications, computing, automotive, music, apparel, industrial automation, and network industries. SIG members drive development of Bluetooth wireless technology, and implement and market the technology in their products.