Strategic Innovation Fund: $7.3M for Smart Home Security Technology
Based in Waterloo, Ontario, Cognitive Systems is contributing to the continuous development of motion technology to advance the smart home ecosystem. Their primary technology, WiFi Motion™, uses wireless signals to sense motion in homes and is intended for the security, smart home, and wellness monitoring markets. This disruptive technology uses predictive analytics and artificial intelligence to recognize and localize motion based on the unique user. Cognitive Systems has received funding from the Canadian government to further advance their smart home technology.
The Strategic Innovation Fund has awarded Cognitive Systems $7,300,000 to continue to develop and implement WiFi Motion technology in homes across Canada.
The Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) is a Canadian government funding program that offers industrial and technology-based businesses financial support to fuel company expansion and R&D of processes, products, and services, and facilitates the growth of innovative firms. SIF funding for Cognitive Systems’ technology will progress the development of WiFi Motion’s algorithm to more effectively track motion.
WiFi Motion Technology Awarded $7M from Strategic Innovation Fund
Cognitive Systems owns the largest and most current portfolio of patents in the motion detection sector, with over 37 patents granted to date and 140+ pending. Their WiFi Motion technology is conveniently layered onto existing WiFi networks, building a sensor network across the home to alert users to motion. It’s able to apply learning patterns over time for a fully automated and customized user experience, made possible with algorithms incorporating AI and localization capabilities to provide motion context.
Government funding from the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) has been invested into Cognitive Systems’ WiFi Motion development initiatives.
SIF funding will advance WiFi Motion’s AI engines, providing users with more innovative motion localization and wellness monitoring features such as sleep tracking, vitals monitoring, and fall detection for aging parents, persons with disabilities, or ill family members.
WiFi Motion will also be optimized to measure energy management in connected homes, allowing for automatic prediction and response to user behaviour – such as turning off and on devices that drain energy, like lights and heating systems. The firm will also be hiring more staff to hit market expansion targets.
About the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)
The Strategic Innovation Fund is a Canadian government funding program that offsets research and development costs to help innovators commercialize disruptive technologies. To qualify for the Strategic Innovation Fund, applicants must have high growth potential and the ability to drive innovation.
The Strategic Innovation Fund provides up to 50% of eligible project costs with a minimum funding request of $10 million in business expansion funding.
There are five streams of the Strategic Innovation Fund:
- Research, Development, and Commercialization
- Business Growth and Expansion
- Investment Attraction and Retention
- Collaborative Technology Development and Demonstration
- National Innovation Ecosystems Collaboration
Please note: stream five is under development and expected to launch soon.
Canadian firms interested in learning about additional programs for research and development for advanced technologies are encouraged to check out Mentor Works’ Canadian Business Funding Guide.
