The UK government will spend an extra £45m on developing so-called "internet of things" technology, David Cameron has announced. The announced pledge more than doubles the funds available to UK technology firms working on connecting everyday devices that can communicate over the internet.
The prime minister was speaking at the CeBIT technology trade fair in Germany. Mr Cameron said the UK and Germany could find themselves on the forefront of a new "industrial revolution".
"I see the internet of things as a huge transformative development – a way of boosting productivity, of keeping us healthier, making transport more efficient, reducing energy needs, tackling climate change," he said.
"Take British ingenuity in software, services and design, add German excellence in engineering and industrial manufacturing and together we can lead in this new revolution."
The extra investment announced at the Hannover event, of which the UK is the official "partner country", will take the total being made available to £73m. Sir Mark Walport, the government’s chief scientific adviser, will now carry out a review into how these new technologies can be best exploited. Analysts say the internet of things could transform daily life.