Back in October, Eric Schaefer of Comcast held a COIN Summit talk about the Internet of Things, and he mentioned that, as the nation’s largest internet service provider, Comcast may be uniquely positioned to help the IoT realize its true potential. With their power and network — expanding the IoT frontier to places it might not reach otherwise could prove to be a feasible task.

Today — only a few months later — we’re watching the reality of that task come to fruition right here in Colorado.

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Last week, Boomtown, a startup accelerator founded and operated by a group of media, marketing and technology veterans, announced a partnership with Comcast Labs to build one of the world’s first IoT labs in Downtown Boulder. 

So what exactly happens at an IoT lab?

Well — the Internet of Things, itself, is a network of physical objects which are able communicate with each other through network connectivity. The IoT will change the way you live, play, and go about business by providing easier management and automation of the electronic devices you use in the home and in the workplace.

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It ushers in the use of devices that allow for much more effective monitoring of our environment, infrastructure, energy, and healthcare systems along with our home life. On top of that, it could mean more information for companies, enhanced productivity for manufacturers, and a better life for consumers.

So — the IoT lab will be focused on developing, integrating, and deploying products of this nature that change how people are entertained and informed.

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The press release for the project states that “investments like this will help advance development of the next generation of innovations that will be seamlessly integrated into customers’ offices and homes to make their lives better with technology.”

The lab will feature a 5,500 square foot space which can fit up to 50-75 people working at the same time for design, early prototype, specification, form factor, industrial design, assembly, testing, and presentation. Boomtown founder and managing director Toby Krout expressed his excitement for the decision to build this lab in Boulder, Kauffman Foundation’s #1 city for startups in the U.S: “We believe this facility can be an important addition to Boulder’s already thriving development culture.”

What you’re probably thinking at this point is: “so who gets to use the lab?”

Essentially anyone who is serious and proactive about developing useful, practical, and marketable IoT products. This could be Boomtown startup companies, entrepreneurs, students, existing startups that are looking to test, or companies working on redesigns.

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From what we’ve heard at this point — entrepreneurs and students will be most likely able to use the lab free of cost with no Boomtown membership required but large/established companies will have to pay a fee to ensure that lab is able to be kept on the leading edge.

In the space “users will be able to access the latest hardware and software in this market, explore interactivity and communicate across virtually every major traditional, and mobile operating platform.”

Boomtown will be in charge of monitoring the marketplace to ensure that all new online devices are made available as soon as possible. They will also strive to ensure that each entrepreneur has access to the tools necessary to be successful in designing revolutionary products.

Comcast Labs’ role in the project has been integral to providing “financial assistance, access to many industry connections, and overall support.”

The lab is targeted to be completed later this spring and hopes to open in May, 2015, but if you’d like to submit a request to use the lab in the future you can do so via email to [email protected].

by Joseph Afton