Uppdaterad: 8 december 2009
Fiber optics with applications in the medical industry that can monitor physiological characteristics in humans, or fiber optic cables with sensors that can tell you where in your home there’s a fire: in Fiber Optic Valley, many new digital services are being developed for the elderly as a new market.
Fiber Optic valley is a European fiber optics centre for research, competence and business, with societal value as a goal. The growing population of elderly presents new needs that open up for new markets in fiber optics, explains Fiber Optic Valley’s CEO Magnus Burvall. An example is increased demand for electronics services in the home, such as digital health care services. One such service developed at Fiber Optic Valley makes it possible to “go to the doctor” at home, using digital equipment that enables direct contact with healthcare service providers. “Fiber Optic Valley is trying to address these needs by investing resources in research and development projects. We even offer technology parks for development and commercialisation of products and services aimed at this new target group,” says Magnus Burvall.
In the laboratory, characteristics are being built into fiber optics under development for the medical industry that make it possible to monitor human physiological traits, such as oxygen concentrations in the bloodstream. A patient can continue living at home, and if his or her condition were to change or deteriorate, signals would be sent instantly to a healthcare centre. Another project that increases security for many elderly, and that has already been commercialised, is a fiber optic fire alarm. It is fiber optic cable that senses head and traces its source in a home. The cable can also send a warning signal if, for example, the stove hasn’t been turned off.
Growth is a driving force
The driving force for Fiber Optic Valley, according to Magnus Burvall, in addition to creating growth in the region, is to be on the cutting edge of development toward the digital society of the future. Fiber Optic Valley has raised the bar. The goal is to be Europe’s fiber optic centre for research competence and business within ten years. Magnus Burvall says that the foundation has already been laid. Fiber Optic Valley currently offers a range of laboratory and test environments in the field, there is applied research that is coordinated by Fiber Optic Valley, and there are opportunities for financing new innovative projects.
