A new European Union (EU) consortium is creating a three-year project to mass develop internet of things (IoT) solutions using a wireless optical networking technology that relies on light emitting diodes (LEDs) for data transmission.
Li-Fi uses LED light bulbs, such as those commonly found in household lighting and offices, to provide data through a chip in the bulb that modulates the light for optical data transmission.
The consortium, called Enhance Lighting for the Internet of Things (ELIoT), will explore new ways that Li-Fi can help the future of IoT, as it places high demand and emphasis on the data rate, reliability and latency of wireless connections. These high demands for the IoT will come from software-controlled production, virtual and augmented reality and autonomous driving, all examples where Li-Fi could prove useful.
Li-Fi has use cases for commercial, industrial and outdoor applications and could function in areas where certain radio frequencies are not possible or not allowed. In outdoor use, Li-Fi could offer next-generation networks high-bandwidth, point-to-point links from rooftops, between streetlights or in a smart home.
ELIoT started what it claims is the biggest research and innovation program called Horizon 2020. The program is targeting ideas from the lab to the market. ELIoT will receive $6.7 million in funding from Signify, Nokia, MaxLinear, Deutsche Telekom, KPN, Weidmüller, LightBee, the University of Oxford, Eindhoven University of Technology and the Fraunhofer Institute's Heinrich Hertz Institute HHI and FOKUS.
