OLSO, NORWAY - Nordic Semiconductor is sponsoring the Bluetooth Innovation World Cupa Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) competition targeting fitness, healthcare, and sports products. The competition will promote the rollout of Bluetooth low-energy wireless technology later this year. In conjunction with the Bluetooth SIGan 11,000-memberstrong organization driving the development of Bluetooth wireless-the Bluetooth Innovation World Cup is being sponsored by the world's largest winter sporting goods trade show, ispo, together with the World Federation of Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI).
Application entries should be submitted to the Bluetooth SIG between June 1 and October 31. Winners will be unveiled at the next ispo show in February 2010. Three regional winners will be announced for Asia, Europe, and the U.S. Of those winners, one will also receive a global "Bluetooth Innovator of the Year" award.
Traditional Bluetooth wireless technology requires more power than can be supplied by the modest-capacity, typically coin cell (watch) or AAA/AA batteries powering the wireless sensors in fitness, healthcare, and sports applications. In contrast, Bluetooth low-energy wireless technology addresses this challenge because it has been designed from the outset to be compatible with small-battery devices. The technology will be based on an open specification. It is expected to be the catalyst for a range of new low-power and low-cost interoperable wireless peripherals in fitness, healthcare, and sports. For more information on the contest, visit tinyurl.com/dy8yyq.