According to Transparency Market Research, the wearable technology market was worth more than $2.5 billion in 2012 and is expected to grow with a CAGR of 17.7% to over $8 billion by 2018. The WT Innovation World Cup sponsored by title sponsor STMicroelectronics, , a world leader in providing semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of electronics applications, Texas Instruments (TI), AiQ, C. Schneider—New Solutions, and VARTA Microbattery, recognized the importance of wearable technologies early on. Since 2009, the world’s leading wearable technologies competition has been looking for innovative ideas, products, apps, small electronic devices, and prototypes. As in the previous years, every submission will get the chance to win prizes worth a total of $200,000. Participation is free of charge.
Wearable technologies are becoming more prominent and useful every day. Start-ups and big companies alike are jumping on the wearable technologies bandwagon by announcing or releasing wearable devices. Who hasn’t heard about Google Glass, Apple’s plans to “explore” the wearable tech market, or seen the smart watches from Pebble? The potential for wearable computers and small electronic devices is huge, and business leaders are considering it to have at least as much impact as the Internet had.
For the fifth time, since June 1, 2013, the WT Innovation World Cup is looking for the best and most innovative new wearable solutions. Contestants can submit their product or solution until November 30, 2013 in the categories: Sports & Fitness, Healthcare & Wellness, Security & Prevention, and Gaming & Lifestyle.
This year, for the first time, the WT Innovation World Cup also established two special categories: “blukii® App 2.0”, sponsored by C.Schneider—New Solutions, and “Smart Textiles”, sponsored by AiQ Smart Clothing. For the Smart Textile special, AiQ Smart Clothing is looking for new and innovative total textile solutions including fabric (or textile construction on fabrics, or other textile objects), garment engineering, and power systems.
Through the integration of Bluetooth® smart and NFC interfaces in smartphones, tablets and notebooks the next generation of app is made possible. Standalone products become product systems, entirely new solutions are possible. blukii is an open hardware platform for the development of new App 2.0 solutions. Developers are invited to create their solutions based on this platform. To support developers, blukii® offers a development kit, all contestants who sign up for the special category blukii® App 2.0 will receive the blukii® kit at a 50% discount.
In addition to title sponsor STMicroelectronics, the WT Innovation World Cup is supported by preferred technology partner Texas Instruments (TI), sponsor VARTA Microbattery, as well as an international network of innovative technology regions, alliances, and trade shows including Wearable Technologies AG, Continua Health Alliance, Cluster 55, Medica, ISPO Munich, Taitra, and the development agency Team Côte d’Azur.
Marcello San Biagio Senior Manager at title sponsor STMicroelectronics says: “We have been supporting the WT Innovation World Cup from the beginning, and every year, the competition exceeded our expectations. The WT Innovation World Cup not only shows us exciting opportunities and future possibilities, it also connects us directly to innovative and inventive developers who may not already know of us.” STMicroelectronics will be providing four different Software Development Kits at a discounted price.
As the preferred technology partner, TI will again offer participants discounted development kits, the first 100 even for free, to speed development of wearable solutions. “The WT Innovation World Cup continues to shine a spotlight on the inventive and unique solutions being driven by the wearables market. TI is excited to be involved for its fifth year and can’t wait to see this year’s innovations,” stated Volker Prueller, Director of Marketing Wireless Connectivity Solutions at TI.
All innovative solutions will be assessed and judged by an international panel of industry experts according to predetermined criteria, including, but not only, level of innovation, marketability, and usability. The overall winner, the WT Innovator of the Year, will receive a cash prize of $5,000. All finalists and special category winners will also have the opportunity to present their solutions at the awards ceremony during the WT Conference at ISPO Munich in January 2014. The WT Innovation World Cup will be promoted during the Smart World Events as well as through marketing channels of Wearable Technologies, sponsors and partners. Besides bringing finalists together with potential business partners and provide them with valuable contacts, these activities will increase media awareness for wearable technologies.
Since June 1 until November 30, 2013 the competition is open to all participants. Visit www.innovationworldcup.com and smartworldevents.com for more information.
