MUNICH–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Bluetooth Special
Interest Group (SIG) today announced Guilherme de Paula from Pancreum, LLC as
the Bluetooth Innovator of the Year for 2011. Pancreums CoreMD design was
selected by an expert panel based on the most innovative use of Bluetooth low
energy technology and the company was awarded US $5,000 prize money, a Bluetooth
Qualification Program voucher worth up to US $10,000, and the revolutionary
dual-mode Bluetooth protocol analyzer from Ellisys, valued at US $40,000. The
CoreMD was chosen from over 330 entries submitted into this years Bluetooth
Innovation World Cup.
The Bluetooth enabled CoreMD provides a wireless
communication and power infrastructure for replaceable, wearable medical
devices that can sense body conditions like temperature, heart rate, or
interstitial glucose, alert the user that a certain threshold has been reached,
or even administer drugs such as insulin, glucagon, or amylin. The CoreMD is
used in the Pancreum Genesis, an artificial pancreas system that acts as an
insulin pump, continuous glucose monitor, and glucagon pump. Using Bluetooth
technology to securely link the CoreMD to a simple application on the users
smartphone transforms their daily experience. Gone are the constant needs to
test levels, monitor data changes over time, and manually administer
injections. Instead, the smartphone app puts real-time integrated health
information at the users fingertips and empowers them to control their
Pancreum Genesis with a few taps on their phones screen.
“With the CoreMD from Pancreum, we see the power of Bluetooth
Smart devices, which use our low energy technology to improve the lives of
users in ways that werent possible just a few years ago. The sheer number,
variety, and quality of Bluetooth low energy entries we received this year
shows the transformative nature of this technology and its appeal in the
market,” said Michael Foley, Ph.D., Executive Director, Bluetooth SIG.
“Everything from consumer electronics, to fitness equipment, to medical devices
are better with Bluetooth technology by making it easy to give users better
information and more control through applications that run on familiar devices
like smartphones or tablets.”
“As the 2011 Bluetooth Innovation World Cup comes to a
close, we congratulate Pancreum and all contest finalists who echo the ways in
which Bluetooth technology v4.0 will greatly improve peoples lives,” said
Volker Prueller, marketing manager, Low-Power RF, Texas Instruments
Incorporated (TI). “For the third year in a row, TI is proud to be the title
sponsor of the Bluetooth IWC and hopes to see these products on the market to
further grow the Bluetooth Smart device space.”
In addition to Pancreum, two runners up were selected from
the nine finalists. Michael Settons Senspods were selected in the “Automotive,
Entertainment & More” category and Diesel Dogs Smart Weights was chosen in
the “Sports & Fitness” category. All three winners won a trip to the Nordic
headquarters in Trondheim, Norway, for a special Bluetooth
training sponsored by Nordic Semiconductor. All nine finalists received
development kits from Nordic Semiconductor and from Bluegiga Technologies. All
contestants who finalize a prototype will also be eligible to purchase a
specially discounted Ellisys BEX400LE protocol analyzer.
Winner Automotive, Entertainment & More
Senspods by Michael Setton, Sensaris:
Senspods are small sensors that combine real-time environmental data
with social networking tools. They have an intuitive interface with single-click,
drag-and-drop functionality, allowing data from the sensors to be sent to
wearable displays via Bluetooth low energy technology. The environmental
sensors are currently used to monitor air quality, noise, and radiation.
Senspods is also integrating them into solar cells and plans to use them to
monitor water quality as well.
Winner Sports & Fitness
Smart Weights by Diesel Dogs LLC:
This product is revolutionizing weight training through the innovative
combination of Bluetooth low energy technology and high accuracy motion
sensors. While maintaining the look and feel of standard weight lifting
equipment, Smart Weights provide the user with the ability to automatically log
and track repetitions, sets, resistance levels, duration, and form; define
custom exercises and routines; and upload workout summaries to social
networking sites. At the center of the Smart Weights design is a core module
that consists of a low energy Bluetooth transceiver, a microprocessor, and
motion sensors. The small size of the components and the low power requirements
of the system result in a compact core module. This allows for it to be
integrated into various free weight equipment, such as standard dumbbells,
adjustable dumbbells, and barbells. An application that runs on a smartphone,
tablet, or other Bluetooth Smart Ready device interfaces with the core module
of the Smart Weight to display the various features.
Congratulations to all winners and finalists!
The Bluetooth Innovation World Cup 2011 was sponsored by Texas
Instruments (Title Sponsor), Ellisys and Freescale Semiconductor (Preferred
Technology Partners), and Bluegiga Technologies, Nordic Semiconductor,
STMicroelectronics and VARTA Microbattery.
About Bluetooth Wireless Technology
Bluetooth wireless technology is the global wireless standard enabling
simple connectivity for a broad range of electronic devices. Version 4.0
featuring Bluetooth low energy technology creates new application
opportunities for products within the mobile phone, consumer electronics, PC,
automotive, health & wellness, sports & fitness and smart home
industries. With nearly two billion devices shipping annually, Bluetooth technology
is the only proven wireless solution for developers, product manufacturers, and
consumers worldwide. Backed by industry-leading companies, the Bluetooth SIG
empowers more than 15,000 member companies to collaborate, innovate, and
guide Bluetooth wireless technology. For more information, please
visit www.bluetooth.com. Bluetooth wireless technology:
Simple. Secure. Everywhere.
Posted by Sean Fenske, Editor-in-Chief, MDT
