Intel announces support for support for iHub Research

Intel announces a collaboration with iHub Research, the first User Experience lab in sub-Saharan Africa, to support rapid product innovation

Intel Corporation has today – during the inaugural Makers Builderthon Challenge – announced support for iHub Research – an open space Innovation Hub for the technology community in Kenya.  IHub Research works from within iHub (the nerve center of Kenya’s technology) and aims to support young innovators who are keen on developing innovative hardware technologies.

The Makers Builderthon, which was organised by Intel Corporation and iHub Research, saw the growing maker community in Kenya get hands-on training and an opportunity to interact with the Intel® Edison development platform.

Intel launched the Intel® Edison platform to inspire new concepts, fuel innovation and evolve personal computing in exciting new ways. Intel® Edison technology is an ultra-small computing platform that packs a robust set of features into its small size, delivering great performance, durability, and a broad spectrum of input/output (I/O) and software support.

It offers a wirelessly-enabled general purpose computer environment and is specially designed for inventors, entrepreneurs and consumer product designers, who work hard to create smart devices to be sold through commercial channels to individual users.

It is believed that this development platform will contribute towards unlocking the barriers to rapid production innovation by lowering the entry level for innovators, who have grand ideas but often lack requisite expertise in hardware development technologies.

Speaking at the event, Agatha Gikunda, Intel Corporation’s Software Services Group Lead for East Africa, said, “Intel® Edison technology helps makers and builders venture into new areas that will bring the potential of the Internet of Things (IoT) landscape to life.”

“Imagine a world where cars can recognize their drivers, supermarket displays help plan dinner menus, baby clothing that delivers real-time information about your child, and devices that automate energy and water use for optimal savings. That’s how Intel’s Internet of Things (IoT) technologies are seeking to change the way computing is woven into our everyday lives,” she added.

Today’s maker community is made up of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and interests, including art, design, performance, music, engineering and technology. From Do-It-Yourself and crafting to programming and prototyping, the maker community – “tinkerers” – is gaining momentum in Kenya.

“The Internet of Things is creating a world with endless possibilities. Our goal with Intel technology is to help solve real problems and enable experiences that are truly desired by people and businesses. Intel’s IoT focus is to deliver products and technologies that embed intelligence into everyday objects to connect and share data and enable the connected world,” added Agatha.

Whether challenging people to think differently or providing the technologies that can bring ideas to life, Intel supports the maker movement to encourage innovation.