UCD hires IoT expert with €5m funding to develop IoT technology

5 Nov 2014

Prof Robert Bogdan Staszewski at University College Dublin's School of Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering. Photo via Nick Bradshaw, Fotonic

University College Dublin (UCD) has brought in Prof Robert Bogdan Staszewski to develop Ireland’s leadership in the internet of things (IoT) with the help of €5m in Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) funding.

As part of his remit with the university, world-renowned engineering researcher Staszewski will lead an advanced research programme with the help of the SFI funding awarded to him as part of its research fellowship programme.

Having spent the last few years researching IoT technology in Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, Staszewski has a considerable track record in the field, having produced numerous highly cited papers that are important in the development of digital radio frequency (DRF) techniques.

He also holds a prestigious European Research Council Consolidator grant, spun out two start-up companies based on his research, and holds more than 120 US patents. 

His research in DRF circuits drove size and cost reductions that enabled mobile telephony to go from 22pc global penetration in 2003 to more than 96pc in 2013.

Ireland’s push to lead IoT

This move marks another sign that Ireland is attempting to establish itself as the driving force behind IoT technology that will make various devices at home and in the world inter-connected, as panellists at Siliconrepublic.com’s recent Innovation Ireland Forum explained.

Welcoming Staszewski, president of UCD, Prof Andrew Deeks, said, “UCD has prioritised research focusing on IoT within our research strategy, as a natural complement to our existing strengths in data science.

“The appointment of Prof Staszewski will further strengthen UCD’s portfolio in this area, which is now a crucial and vibrant part of the Irish economy. Furthermore, this research programme will provide a pipeline of PhD-qualified circuit designers for Ireland’s microelectronics industry.”

Colm Gorey was a senior journalist with Silicon Republic

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