London Internet of Things start-up crowdfunding its way to expansion

Development kits allow rapid prototyping of IoT ideas

Tech City-based Internet of Things (IoT) start-up SAM Labs this week unveiled a development kit aimed at educators, innovators and businesses who want to explore the IoT market.

The company is now raising money via social media to fund its expansion, and has already beaten its own targets.

On Monday, SAM Labs launched a series of open-source Bluetooth "Sensor Actor Modules" (SAMs), which can be programmed by drag-and-drop from its app or via a SAM Cloud. The tile-like sensors detect touch, distance, light, sound, and/or pressure, while "actors" can be programmed to emit light and sound, or send control data and move objects, including motors.

Three development kits are available, including a Pro package aimed at businesses. All allow experimenting and rapid prototyping of concepts and products, using a simple LEGO-style approach.

At the launch, SAM Labs CEO, Joachim Horn, said: “We want to level the playing field in innovation development, away from corporations with millions to spend on development and empower designers, start-ups, kids, and small businesses.”

The ambitious start-up is raising funding via Kickstarter. As of noon today, it had raised more than £63,000 from 430 backers, with 25 days still to run on its crowdfunding campaign. The target was £50,000.

SAM Labs' nearest competitor is the education-focused littleBits, a US company that has secured over $15.6m in venture capital investment.