Doha, April 9th, 2012: The QU Wireless Innovations Center (QUWIC) located at the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) announced the official launch of its innovative Air Quality Monitoring System (HAWA'AK) and the commencement of a field trial at Education City. The launch was announced during a ceremony jointly held by QUWIC and the Health, Safety, Security & Environment Directorate (HSSE) of Qatar Foundation. The event was held at the QSTP campus and was attended by senior representatives from both parties and invited guests from many national entities.

HAWA'AK is a rich and flexible platform fully developed locally by QUWIC to support real time monitoring of air quality and other environment conditions. It will allow users to access such information through innovative applications which can be accessed through multiple channels including mobile delivery, web, SMS, and voice interaction. HAWA'AK utilizes a new generation of sensor stations that will allow the delivery of localized and personalized air quality information. Such information will drive the creation of new services and applications targeting enterprises, government agencies, and consumer.

As part of the launch event, QUWIC and QF's HSSE Directorate announced the beginning of HAWA'AK field trial in the Education City campus. The field trial includes the deployment of multiple sensors with different functionalities. The data collected by the sensors is collected wirelessly and processed by QUWIC's Intelligent Sensing and M2M Services Platform (LabeebTM)  that will provide air quality information in real-time and store the data for further analysis and research. This information is accessed through innovative web and mobile applications as well as pre-defined alerting mechanisms.

Dr. Adnan Abu-Dayya, Executive Director of QUWIC said: "With the launch of the HAWA'AK system and field trial, our vision to create a state-of-the art and a next generation environment monitoring system and applications is now one step closer to reality. We have enjoyed our partnership with the QF HSSE team and we look forward to working together to execute a successful field trial that will enrich the HAWA'AK system".

Mr. Abdulla Al-Modhaki, Director of HSSE at QF said, "We are very happy to collaborate with QUWIC on trying out the HAWA'AK intelligent Air Quality Monitoring system that will help QF

experiment with monitoring air quality in real-time in designated areas at the Education City campus. QF HSSE believes in encouraging locally-built innovations and proud to take part in this field trial"

The HAWA'AK system and applications represent a key element of the "Smart Living Services Initiative" that QUWIC launched few months ago. QUWIC will use HAWA'AK to create an integrated

and rich air quality monitoring system suitable for deployment in Qatar and the region.

About QUWIC
QUWIC is an applied research and development center founded by Qatar University in Collaboration with and at the Qatar Science &Technology Park (QSTP) to leverage the use of emerging wireless technologies in creating solutions and smart applications for use in a number of markets including Transportation, Utilities, Healthcare, and Environment.

QUWIC was founded with the objective of filling the existing gap in the region for institutions focusing on applied research and solutions delivery.

QUWIC has strategic objectives in the areas of local capacity building, innovations leadership, and in becoming a virtual R&D center for local and regional partners.

For further information please contact
Dania Khaled, daniak@quwic.com ,
info@quwic.com , +974 44592719.

© Press Release 2012