Innovation UK > News > Innovation UK Vol4-1 > Location and Timing KTN

Location technology is becoming ubiquitous: market penetration of personal navigation devices is predicted to reach 50% in Europe and the USA within 3 years. This, combined with rapidly increasing mobile internet use, is driving explosive growth in Location Based Services and creating many new opportunities for established players and start-ups.

Globally, the satellite navigation market was worth $20b in 2007 and is growing at a compound rate of 20% to 25% per year. In the professional market, vehicle tracking for afficient logistics and personal tracking for lone worker protection are becoming widespread. There are exciting opportunities in health care, including remote monitoring and assisted living.

New technology such as the revamped eLoran terrestrial radio navigation network, systems using the physical location of WiFi addresses and dedicated radio beacons are creating opportunities for innovation. In timing and synchronisation, telecoms networks are undergoing a revolution as they change from hardwired circuits to packet switched systems. This, plus new products such as multi-player online gaming and TV-over-the-internet, are generating new challenges and opportunities. Low cost chip-scale atomic clocks are on the horizon and look set to be a major disruptive technology.

The Location and Timing KTN covers all location and timing technologies and applications. The KTN links research, suppliers, and users, is a voice for the location and timing community, signposts and facilitates access to funding sources, and advises government.

The KTN is a managed network of nearly 900 members in 550 organisations, three quarters of which are industry. The KTN communicates via fortnightly e-mail news alerts, printed newsletters, and through technology translators who are active in the field. It holds events to inform the community on the latest technology, applications and funding opportunities, and to promote networking. Many events are held jointly with other networks and organisations to increase the reach of the KTN.

It also raises the profile of location and timing through media activity. It has helped to secure ?60m funding for its members.

The KTN is operated by the National Physical Laboratory on behalf of the Technology Strategy Board.

Contact Karen Barlow, , 020 8943 8711,
or Bob Cockshott, , 020 8943 6754.
www.locationktn.com

Accelerating business innovation;
a Technology Strategy Board programme