Work will target multi-protocol integration and Ambient IoT for scalable, low-power deployments in retail, logistics and smart offices.
Hanshow, a provider of electronic shelf labels (ESL) and digital store solutions, has entered into a multi-year research collaboration with the University of Cambridge. The partnership will focus on joint research into next-generation intelligent hybrid wireless technologies as part of Hanshow’s continued investment in core technology development and long-term innovation.
The collaboration combines the University of Cambridge’s expertise in fundamental wireless technology research with Hanshow’s industry experience to strengthen multi-protocol integration and support scalable applications for a range of retail environments. Working with a focus on innovation, collaboration, openness and knowledge sharing, the two parties plan to move research outcomes into practical industrial use that can support solutions across multiple industries.
The University of Cambridge, founded more than 800 years ago, is associated with scientists including Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Alan Turing and Stephen Hawking. The university has long worked to connect academic research with industry, and its expertise in intelligent sensing, smart spaces, high-precision positioning and wireless technologies aligns with Hanshow’s approach to integrating industry, academia, research and application to support digital transformation in retail.
Hanshow has worked on low-power wireless communication technologies for more than a decade with a focus on applying new technology to industry use cases. Through its proprietary HiLPC wireless communication protocol, the company supports electronic shelf label deployments designed to operate at scale in complex, high-density retail environments while keeping power use low. Hanshow also participates in the development of global communication standards. The company’s CTO, Min Liang, has served for many years as chair of the ESL Working Group within the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (Bluetooth SIG).
Building on this work and its experience in retail deployments, Hanshow is developing next-generation IoT approaches, including Ambient IoT. Ambient IoT combines ultra-low-power wireless communication, ambient energy harvesting and distributed sensing to support longer-term device deployments and lower operational overhead in retail environments, as well as ongoing development of intelligent store infrastructure.
As part of the collaboration, Hanshow and the University of Cambridge will use a coordinated innovation model that combines theoretical modelling, simulation testing and experimental validation to advance research and industrialisation of next-generation intelligent hybrid wireless technologies. The work will focus on multi-protocol integration to improve communication efficiency and consumer interaction in retail environments. The partners also plan to apply the outcomes beyond retail, including food, beauty, consumer electronics and apparel, as well as areas such as smart offices and smart logistics to support digital transformation efforts.
The collaboration is intended to support Hanshow’s product and solution development through academic research input and to connect fundamental research with technology development and industrial application. The partnership also aims to inform future IoT solutions in retail and support sustainability goals for the sector.
Hanshow said the project aligns with its global innovation ecosystem strategy. The company plans to continue working with external partners, develop its global technology framework and strengthen deployment processes to support customers across industries.
For more information, visit hanshow.com.
