IoT Platforms Initiative

The scope of Internet of Things (IoT) European Platforms Initiative (IoT-EPI) is to create ecosystems of “Platforms for Connected Smart Objects”, integrating the future generations of devices, embedded systems, network technologies, and other evolving ICT advances.

These environments support citizens and businesses for a multiplicity of novel applications. They embed effective and efficient security and privacy mechanisms into devices, architectures, service and network platforms, including characteristics such as openness, dynamic expandability, interoperability, dependability, cognitive capabilities and distributed decision making, cost and energy-efficiency, ergonomic and user-friendliness.

Such smart environments are enriched through the deployment of wearable/ambulatory hardware to promote seamless environments. The platforms from the beginning involve and connect technology developers and application developers and complementors who will enhance the impact of the IoT platform. The IoT European Platforms Initiative is coordinated by two consortia UNIFY-IoT, Be-IoT and include seven research and innovation projects.

The IoT-EPI program includes the research and innovation consortia that are working together to deliver an IoT extended into a web of platforms for connected devices and objects. The platforms support smart environments, businesses, services and persons with dynamic and adaptive configuration capabilities.

The goal is to overcome the fragmentation of vertically oriented closed systems, architectures and application areas and move towards open systems and platforms that support multiple applications. The European Commission funds the IoT-EPI with EUR 50 millions. The projects are presented in the following sections.