Earlier today, Sigfox revealed the creation of its Foundation dedicated to the Tech For Good projects. As part of this new division, Sigfox unveils an initiative in Antartica, where it can track people or assets and later monitor global warming effects through a network of dozens of wireless sensors.
The startup –who raised 115 M$ last year– announces the creation of its Foundation as well as a first project.
In partnership with Belgian Polar Secretariat and devices-maker Sensolus, Sigfox co-founders announced today they have successfully deployed and tested its IoT network in Antartica.
Sigfox connects Antartica
The 7th continent will help the Toulouse-based startup demonstrate the characteristics of it’s low-power wide area network (LPWAN) allowing to connect a vast amount of wireless sensors for a fraction of the cost of GSM/LTE connectivity and with a low energy consumption.
Sigfox partnered with Belgian startup Sensolus to send 45 GPS tracker to the Princess Elisabeth Polar Research Station. The devices can work up to 5 years with only 3 AA batteries and allow explorers to efficiently locate assets and team members while carrying out operations on the ground.
The Sigfox Foundation
Sigfox Foundation is one of a kind in France as the country is more used to CAC40 companies and big privately-held diversified groups building modern-art collections and/or operating private museums as part of their communication strategy.
The Sigfox Foundation will be led independently by Marion Moreau –besides Sigfox current attempt to create a global M2M network for IoT devices– and will announce further initiatives later this year as well as new sponsors.
All we know at the moment is that the co-founder of LeWeb and San Francisco-based Géraldine LeMeur will join the board of the Foundation.
The Sigfox Foundation will focus on use cases that make sense both in term of economics and connectivity needs in a wide range of applications including environmental and wildlife protection, health and social issues.
Ludovic Le Moan has already quoted several promising uses for low-power wide-area connectivity including rhinos-horn trackers in Africa, connected life-vest in south-east Asia or ice drift monitoring devices for research purposes.
More will be announced soon on a dedicated website: www.sigfoxfoundation.org