Danalto, a Dublin-based IoT software company has won a contract with the European Space Agency.

The partnership is in line with Ireland's National Space Strategy for Enterprise, which aims to grow the number of 'space active' companies in Ireland, which currently sits at 85.

Over the course of the 18-month contract, Danalto will research location technologies and build upon existing solutions to improve remote indoor visibility.

Once validated, the work aims to support a wide range of industries.

For example, in the logistics industry, the company said packages could be tracked as they move between warehouses - streamlining the production process.

It also said first responders operating in hazardous environments, such as a burning building, could be located remotely - improving safety.

In the area of healthcare, it said at at-risk patients could be better monitored across hospital or care home campuses.

"This is a great opportunity for Danalto to work with the leaders in the global navigation systems and to bring danalto's, and our commercial partners, technologies to bear on the everyday lives of people," said David McDonald, Danalto Co-founder and CEO.

"ESA have set out a clear set of questions and demonstration challenges that danalto is well placed to address and which fully aligns with our business and technology strategies," he added.

Damien English, Minister of State for Business, Employment, and Retail welcomed news of the contract between Danalto and the ESA.  

"Danalto is just one of a growing number of Irish businesses that is breaking new ground through its relationship with the European Space Agency," he said.

"The National Space Strategy for Enterprise, alongside this Government's increased funding to the European Space Agency, will ensure that this relationship continues to benefit companies like danalto, to develop technologically sophisticated space-enabled businesses," he added.

Reporting: RTE News