Mar 29, 2017A partnership between Taggen, a company specializing in Internet of Things projects and solutions, has formed a partnership with the EMBRAPII unit of CPqD, a research institution focused on innovation based on information and communication technology. This has resulted in the development of the first beacon entirely designed and manufactured in Brazil.
When first announced, what would become the current Taggen Beacon aroused great interest since it offered numerous differences from existing beacons available on the international market. The Taggen Beacon has since been received with enthusiasm by the Brazilian market.
The Taggen Beacon is a small device that emits signals via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, which can be captured by any Bluetooth-enabled device, such as smartphones, tablets and notebooks. The beacon works with industry standards created by Apple (Apple iBeacon) and Google (EddyStone), ensuring compatibility with international applications.
Until now, there were only imported beacons on the market that could not be used in Brazil without Anatel certification. For manufacturing, the company reports, the Taggen Beacon offers a competitive and certified alternative that allows for a wide range of innovative business applications.
"CPqD has been acting strongly through various initiatives in the development of technologies related to the Internet of Things concept," says Alberto Pacifico, CPqD's device and sensor development manager. The beacon is an enabling technology for the IoT concept, allowing the exchange of information among diverse objects, he says, adding, "Communication with smartphones, for example, opens the possibility of numerous applications for this technology."
Since the Taggen Beacon can be detected by any smartphone, apps can offer endless services, the company indicates. These include promotional announcements, delivery of instant messaging, instant promotions, locating individuals and objects, indoor and outdoor navigation, traceability and more.
Mário Prado, Taggen's CTO, notes that the beacon is characterized by the use of embedded technology. "In the last four months," he explains, "we have fully validated the features and benefits of our beacon for a consistent launch in the domestic market with the help of our main partner, CPqD." This, he adds, highlights the role of professionals, laboratories and testing procedures for the new product.
"As a result," Prado states, "we've had exciting numbers, such as reduced power consumption, increasing battery life by more than 15 percent when compared to major international competitors, extremely stable broadcast signal and up to 150 meters of range in the open."
"Our beacon is fully configurable," Prado says, "supporting the EddyStone and iBeacon standards, and some extremely useful extensions for developers of solutions like polyphonic buzzer, event button and various sensors." A tool platform will soon be launched to facilitate the use of technology by companies that wish to develop their solutions, he reports.
Werter Padilha, Taggen's CEO, explains the company's strategy to enter the market: "The effective go-to-market is validated by the exceptional results of field trials, along with several early-adopter partners," he says. "During 2016, we received many contacts from companies interested in using technology to create new business units. We take care to consolidate the productive process with national partners, and we are able to produce tens of thousands of beacons within a few weeks."
The first orders are already being served, according to Padilha. "Brazil once again proves that it has the expertise and technological capability, as well as innovative entrepreneurship, to stand out from the best and biggest players in the world who are also preparing for this race," he says.
"Twenty years ago, the internet became a fever in Brazil," Prado recalls. "With the development of technology, there has been an almost infinite flow of information and different forms of free communication, but its usability has evolved in such a way that today, there is already the possibility of connecting objects of daily life to the great network."
According to Cisco, there will be 50 billion devices connected to the internet by 2020. This breaks down to 6.58 devices per person, assuming a world population of 7.6 billion humans.