IoT for a Better City - Porto Digital's Connected Urban Objects Lab (L.O.U.Co)

This paper presents the conceptual model for Porto Digitals Connected Urban Objects Laboratory (L.O.U.Co), a lab dedicated to the conception, development and prototyping of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions addressing wellness in urban environments. Within are detailed its mission, strategies, implementation plan, structure and objectives. The lab is Porto Digitals main strategy to address the concept of the IoT, both as a set of technologies, business opportunities and social impact possibilities. The lab, which will be fully functional in late 2015, will use a discipline from the Universidade Federal de Pernambucos Computer Science course as a bridgehead to generating IoT startups that will ultimately develop solutions for cities. The lab will be open, free-to-use and fully equipped with sensors, actuators, softwares and hardware necessary to the development of these solutions. The lab will also serve as a testing ground for established companies aiming to create new solutions using IoT.