The Research Hub will combine a small number of leading universities. The funding for this activity will be led by the RCUK Digital Economy Theme, through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), in conjunction with ESRC and AHRC. The research focus will be on the challenges associated with privacy, security and trust in the IoT, including the various interactions, policy and governance, beliefs and behaviours between people and the IoT systems.
The funding is part of an integrated £40 million, three year programme, which has been laid out by Government to maximise capabilities and opportunities that will help the UK become a leader in the Internet of Things.
The programme is a collaboration between the Digital Economy Unit (in DCMS), InnovateUK, the Digital Catapult, the Future Cities Catapult and EPSRC. Stretching from the research base towards feasibility and market, it will build on UK strengths in technology, security and design and accelerate the UK lead in the IoT.
Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Mark Walport said: “The Internet of Things has the potential to boost productivity, make transport more efficient, reduce our energy consumption and to make us healthier. The Research Hub will help to catalyse the technologies and address the challenges associated with the Internet of Things to make the UK a world leader. I would encourage universities to make the most of this opportunity.”
Professor Philip Nelson, EPSRC’s Chief Executive said: “Our lives are becoming ever-more interconnected with digital devices and the internet. The potential benefits are wide, an exchange of information in an emergency could save time and lives. However, it is also clear that people have concerns about how their data is handled and kept secure so the Internet of Things Hub will address these challenges. Successful economies are economies that invest in science; this is an investment in the science of the future and will help deliver a successful and secure UK.”
