This project aims to build on top of the IP created during the IOF-Advanced ‘Better Than Wired project’ with the final target to valorize the produced results through the materialization of a start-up. We are now in a unique position to not only push forward technically but also business-wise as the results of our work and the prototype demonstrator were welcomed with enthusiasm from relevant key players. We are now in intensive discussions with important key players in the market of industrial communications to investigate the possibility of a future collaboration.

During our in-depth discussion with possible end-users and integrators two major issues were identified that need to be addressed before they are ready to adopt our MVP. The first was the need to further test the current solution and minimize the impact of random external interference on our system’s offered QoS at all times. A clear threshold based on the maximum possible interference the system can withstand in order to maintain correct operation needs to be clearly defined through testing. This will enable the end-user to know exactly under which conditions our system can provide the advertised QoS performance. Furthermore, it was identified that the system’s control channel, although robust by design based on the physical layer coding used, is not protected enough against external interference. Hence, a dynamic control channel allocation scheme needs to be designed and integrated in the system that will make the control channel of the BtW system really robust against any kind of interference.

Business-wise, we aim to continue discussions and complete negotiations with integrators in the field of industrial communications systems so we can define the way to move forward for valorization. The successful finalization of these negotiations is essential to gain credibility before reaching out to Venture Capitalists and other types of investors for external funding that will enable our project to be transformed into a start-up and implement our business plan.