Montbonnot-Saint-Martin, France: IoTize SAS announced today that TapNLink has won the NFC Forum Award for the “Most Innovative Use of NFC.” The NFC Forum Innovation Awards recognize the development, deployment and use of state-of-the-art of NFC products, services and applications worldwide. For the 2020 awards, TapNLink was selected from a field of ninety entries from around the world, competing in five categories.
IoTize won the “Most Innovative” prize for its TapNLink modules that enable NFC 3-StrokeTM configuration of programmable features in HVAC equipment. Added to thermostats on heating appliances, the TapNLink modules allow users to configure usage schedules from apps on their mobiles. Users do this in three simple steps: 1) tap to connect and retrieve the actual configuration, 2) modify parameters on a mobile app, and 3) tap again to record the changes. This approach encourages users to program energy-saving features that were inconvenient and difficult to program using the LCD interfaces found on previous generations of appliances.
For manufacturers of these HVAC appliances, TapNLink also simplifies adding NFC to their products with its “integration-by-configuration” approach and automatic generation of apps for iOS and Android mobiles. By reducing expertise requirements and project complexity, TapNLink speeds deployment of NFC-equipped appliances and apps.
TapNLink NFC for 3-Stroke(TM) configuration is already being integrated in a controller solution from Cotherm, a leading European supplier for HVAC appliance manufacturers. Combined with the deep application knowledge of Cotherm, it provides unique user friendly benefits to OEMs, installers and final users. The first NFC-enabled heating products are expected to reach the European market in 2021.
“Even though NFC is commonly perceived as a payment technology, it plays a key role in our products for the industrial and consumer markets because of its intuitive and secure approach to device inter-connection,” explained Francis Lamotte, IoTize president. “Working with Cotherm, we’ve demonstrated how TapNLink NFC provides a pertinent solution to challenges in consumer appliances and industrial equipment,” stated Francis Lamotte.
TapNLink NFC modules (TnL-FIT203) are optimized to reduce power consumption. Based on an ST25DV dynamic NFC tag (Type 5) and STM32G0 processor, the TapNLink power optimization even allows it to function entirely on energy harvested from a mobile phone during connection and communication. IoTize is a member of the ST Partner Program.
The Innovation Awards are organized annually by the NFC Forum, the global standards-body for NFC technology. IoTize was recognized with the other grand prize winners at the NFC Forum online awards ceremony on September 30, 2020. The winners were selected by an independent panel of judges. NXP Semiconductors is the Platinum Sponsor of the Innovation Awards as well as the sponsor of the Best NFC Application in the iOS Award Category.
