How IoT World contributes to economic, ecological and social sustainable development – Sweden

Background to the project

The project, led by Linköping Science Park in collaboration with RISE and Region Östergötland, aimed to further develop the existing IoT hub and to accelerate the use of IoT solutions. The goal was to contribute to economic, ecological and socially sustainable social development in Östergötland. The project period has spanned from 2021-06-01 and ended in 2023-03-31.

The vision of the project was to create important synergies and knowledge transfer between members and to increase the use of IoT solutions. The project is in line with Region Östergötland’s Smart Specialisation Strategy, which includes both efficient logistics and smart, secure and robust connected products and systems. In addition, the project partly linked to regional priorities for Life Science, Welfare and E-Health as well as tomorrow’s energy solutions.

By bringing together actors from different sectors and areas, the project was able to create synergies that foster innovation and growth. This has helped Östergötland continue to develop as a leading region in IoT and thus contribute to sustainable social development.

Objectives of the project

The overall goal of IoT World is to accelerate the use of IoT solutions to contribute to economic, ecological and social sustainable societal development. By achieving this objective, the project contributes to the following long-term effects:

• Accelerated and broadened use of IoT solutions, increasing efficiency and sustainability in different sectors.
• More and growing regional IoT companies, making them competitive both nationally and internationally.
• Accelerate the transition to a fossil-free and more equal society, by promoting environmentally friendly and inclusive technology solutions.
• Sustainable digitalisation of the public sector and private companies in Östergötland, which contributes to more efficient and resource-efficient management of community services and business operations.
• Increasing regional attractiveness, by creating a dynamic and innovative environment that attracts talent, investment and collaboration.
• Contributes to strengthening Region Östergötland’s strategies for smart specialisation and regional development, by supporting areas with high growth potential and innovation.

By working towards these goals, IoT World strives to create a more sustainable and competitive future for the region and for Sweden as a whole.

Implementation

When IoT World was established in a previous project aimed at building an IoT hub, working groups were missing. In connection with the transition to new funding for IoT World, it wanted to offer a forum for those members who wanted to get extra involved in different working groups. This is why we have worked with an agile model based on the Special Interest Group (SIG).

IoT World has organised its work in four areas:

1. Showroom: There are events, lectures, workshops, SIG meetings, fairs and meetings to showcase and discuss IoT solutions, technology and ideas. These activities contribute to increasing collaboration, knowledge and engagement among members and stakeholders.
2. Processes: IoT World organises workshops and processes to capture project ideas and match needs and skills. By bringing together different actors and their expertise, new collaborations and innovations in IoT can be created.
3. IoT Lab: IoT World offers an open laboratory where members and partners can test and experiment with IoT solutions. The lab serves as a test environment where you can share equipment and resources to develop and improve IoT products and services.
4. Marketing and Communication: IoT World is actively promoting and communicating its work and results, both internally and externally. By making IoT World and its activities visible, you can attract new members, partners and stakeholders as well as spread knowledge about IoT and its opportunities.

By combining these four areas, IoT World creates a dynamic and engaging platform where members and stakeholders can collaborate, share knowledge and develop innovative IoT solutions for sustainable societal development.

Conclusion

During the project period, IoT World has organised 39 events, either on its own or in collaboration with other actors. Special Interest Group meetings, workshops, networking meetings and Open Lab Days have been arranged. These events have contributed to increased collaboration between the parties, learning and collaborations that can lead to future business opportunities. Many members have been active at the events, for example by presenting their ideas, generating new ideas or disseminating knowledge about ongoing projects.

Some of the positive effects noted from these activities include:

• New collaborations and new ideas
• Increased knowledge of needs owners’ challenges, companies’ services and solutions and IoT technologies
• Improved collaboration with academia
• Increased capacity to contribute to the green transition

By arranging these events, IoT World has created a platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience, which in turn helps to foster innovation and collaboration in the IoT field.

Lessons

To gain a better understanding of IoT World members’ needs and wishes, an internal evaluation was carried out in accordance with the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth’s recommendations. The purpose of the evaluation was to identify the members’ expectations of the cluster and to identify how they can meet in order to create a more efficient and rewarding collaborative environment.

Different members were asked different questions depending on the type of organisation they are:

• Public sector
• Research institutes/academia
• Companies

Summary of what members want:

The members of IoT World have expressed their wishes and expectations for the cluster’s continued work. Here’s a summary of what members want to see in the future:

1. Continued opportunities for networking and collaboration: Members value the opportunities to network and collaborate with other actors in IoT and want these opportunities to continue to exist.
2. More joint projects: Members want more joint projects to be initiated and implemented within IoT World. These projects can contribute to increased innovation, dissemination of knowledge and collaboration between members.
3. Business intelligence and skills development: Members want access to business intelligence and information exchange about current events and trends in IoT. This can be done through events and workshops, where members can work together to spread competence and increase learning.
4. Increased engagement: IoT World wants to take advantage of the wishes of its members and increase engagement in the cluster. Many members also want to increase their commitment to IoT World – 24 want to increase their engagement, while 31 want to maintain their current commitment.

By listening to members’ wishes and working to meet these needs, IoT World can continue to develop as a strong and dynamic platform for innovation and collaboration in IoT. This in turn contributes to sustainable social development and strengthens the cluster’s position as a leading player in the field.

Why is this a good example?

This project is a good example because:

1. Promotes cooperation and networking: Bringing together companies, public sectors, academic institutions and development environments creates a platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing and joint innovation in the IoT field.
2. Accelerates the use of IoT solutions: The project aims to increase the use of IoT technologies to promote economic, ecological and social sustainability, leading to faster transition to a fossil-free and more equal society.
3. Supports regional development and attractiveness: By contributing to Region Östergötland’s strategies for smart specialisation and regional development, the project increases the region’s attractiveness and competitiveness at national and international level.
4. Stimulates innovation and skills development: The project offers members opportunities to participate in workshops, networking meetings and practical experiences in the IoT lab, which increases their expertise in IoT technologies.
5. Raising awareness of IoT solutions: By arranging events and presentations of IoT products and services, the project raises awareness of the opportunities that IoT offers for sustainable social development.
6. Creating new business opportunities and collaborations: By bringing together different actors and offering opportunities for networking and collaboration, the project increases the chance for new business opportunities and collaborations between its members.