How Academia and Unifi.id are pushing Radio Communications for Industry 4.0

We are living in an era where fusing connectivity and the internet of things (IoT) has been at the heart of transforming technologies into new industries and changing our lives like never before. Thirty years ago, we did not imagine that simple wireless communications would have such a huge and rapid impact on our lives. Wi-Fi was invented and launched for the first time to consumers in 1997 and changed the way we function completely. As we now move on to the first phases of 6G and other communication frequency innovations, it is key that the opportunities that these new communication protocols offer are explored and new industries or innovations assessed.

The importance of technology is obvious to all, reducing the time and effort needed for multiple tasks and delivering more security in many areas for us personally and in our business processes. Emergencies often occur when we least expect them and the execution of right technology at the right time could tackle any critical situations intelligently. Today, thanks to many other radio communication systems being combined with technologies such as AI and Big Data, companies like Unifi.id offer technology that enables automated movement intelligence within a building using long-range RFID which delivers 10 meter read ranges, all embedding in Smart access or Smart ID cards. This type of innovation is particularly significant in the Smart Cities sector, it enables for example real-time emergency insights on evacuations, a significant global issue as building rise ever higher.

But in this current crisis that the commercial property sector finds itself in, there is a crucial need for reporting systems. By monitoring the location of occupants in buildings it will help in minimising contamination risks, with track and trace insights on whom was where when occupants become ill. By deploying contactless experiences, for example, virtual doors, it allows buildings to function with the security protocols required, but with none of the cross contamination of all staff handling doors, so risks are lowered considerably. 

The urgency for new solutions has focused many of us on how multiple communication channels can be meshed to trigger insights, immediate alerts and automated communications to deliver interventions. Solutions are necessary to illustrate to former occupants that, it is safe to return to offices and universities and get economies globally back to some normality.

Industry 4.0 professionals understand that all this evolution is only possible through a comprehensive technological knowledge management strategy, where external sources of knowledge occupy an important part of this ecosystem. Continued collaboration with multiple diverse sectors enables and represents a feedback loop that paves the way for the improvement of products and services. There is therefore a growing demand for partnerships with academia. The research and development sector are where new ideas emerge; research that needs to be tested in the university sector where specialist resources can be focused in key areas. There is also a willing and able source of bright PhD’s pushing frontiers under expert guidance. A strong R&D culture and knowledge sharing through effective association is essential, as they embody the overall process leading to innovation and execution of novel ideas.

Universities also benefit from this collaboration; businesses focus on the commercial opportunities that they can take on at points where academia is reaching a hiatus. In both cases, it is the marriage of university research and commercial focus that leads to innovation being driven forward faster. These mainly young PhD’s are open-minded and thirsty for opportunities where their efforts can change the world. Dissociation between universities and the business sector directly interferes with the productivity and competitiveness of the industrial environment, universities clearly contribute to the country's economic development when fully engaged.

Unifi.id leads in multiple aspects of automated motion intelligence but also in the promotion and support of programs with key universities where we work to encourage new talent through driving innovations under the guidance of professors aware of the talents available to them. These partnerships with universities such as Manchester Met University help us develop innovative solutions and nurture the talent required for longer term hires to manage deeper innovation programs. For example, our latest hire Jeena George, had worked on complex radio communication interfaces, an R&D engineer at Manchester Met University she worked in close partnership with Unifi.id contributed to the definition of long-range passive UHF RFID design requirements. This work under the guidance of Dr Sunday Ekpo enabled the successful completion of the first phase of an “RF Wireless Energy Harvesting” research project, funded jointly with the university. Jeena's participation in the company has not been limited to this first phase, based on the results of this partnership, she continues to develop disruptive intelligent radio communication solutions for Unifi.id, but now directly employed.

For industries, the main advantage of this cooperation is access to the latest research results, testing facilities that are otherwise too complex and expensive to invest in. It is a win-win situation for both. Companies offer business ideas and students contribute new knowledge, technologies and future opportunities that are fundamental for the design of innovative products and processes. Just as emerging technologies need new forms of communication and connectivity, universities move from theoretical to substantive solutions. Visionary companies and startups need this relationship with academia, supporting and innovating together for success.

Companies looking to seek out the most ideal universities to work with have the KTN (knowledge Transfer Network) or Innovate UK at their disposal. The knowledge is out there to transform and accelerate the next advances in product development. It just needs the effort to seek out the ideal marriage with academia that works for both parties.

By Paul Sheedy, Jeena George & Florença Ferreira

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#RFID #5G #6G #Industry40 #smartbuilding #innovation