The Z-Wave Alliance, an open consortium of global companies deploying Z-Wave’s ecosystem of wireless control products and services, has a...
The Z-Wave Alliance, an open consortium of global companies deploying Z-Wave’s ecosystem of wireless control products and services, has announced a brand new competition to support and incentivize innovation on the Z-Wave platform.The yearlong
Z-Wave Labs Program will accept applications from start-up companies and entrepreneurs looking to bring Z-Wave products to market.
In order to accelerate innovation on the Z-Wave platform and lower the barrier of entry for new companies to develop IoT products, the program will reward one selected individual/company each month starting in May 2015 with a 12-month membership to the Z-Wave Alliance as well as one of the newly available IoT-ready 500 Series Z-Wave Developer Kits from Sigma Designs.
"The Z-Wave Alliance recognises the importance of start-ups and disrupters in the industry both to jump start innovation but also to accelerate widespread adoption of smart home and IoT technology," says Mary Miller, Senior Director of Corporate Marketing at Sigma Designs and a Principal Board member of the Z-Wave Alliance, "With over 1200 Z-Wave-certified devices currently on the market and 300 companies working together to create more solutions every single day, this program is a unique opportunity for young start-ups and entrepreneurs to engineer exciting new products for the Z-Wave ecosystem."
Winners can choose from the new 500 Series Developer Kits for support in building either controller or embedded Z-Wave products. The
Z-Wave Controller Development Kit is designed to meet IoT for Smart Home market needs for both in-home and cloud-based services, as well as development for gateways, portals, televisions, set-top boxes, and additional consumer electronics products and services. Feature-rich, IoT-enabled development is greatly expedited through the inclusion of serial API, Z/IP Gateway, Z-Ware C-API, and access to full source code.
"Winners will have mentors that provide access to an extensive network of companies who know how to manufacture, distribute and market Z-Wave products. Winners will have an opportunity to leverage the diverse go-to market channels that Z-Wave Alliance membership will afford them," said Miller.
More details on the Z-Wave Labs Program, including the application process, judging criteria and timelines will be announced in April 2015.
 https://z-wavealliance.org