BCB Informatica y Control S.L.

Their core work

BCB is a Madrid-based SME specializing in embedded sensing, signal processing, and compact electronics for photonic and acoustic measurement systems. They develop algorithms and firmware for devices that translate optical and ultrasound signals into actionable data — from fetal heart rate monitors to LiDAR-based 3D sensing. Their core competence lies in taking advanced sensor physics (self-mixing interferometry, single photon avalanche diodes, time-of-flight) and packaging it into practical, application-ready products including wearables and smart building systems.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

BCB started with a strong medical device focus — their first and largest project (Baby Beat, 2015-2017) was a self-coordinated effort to build a wearable prenatal monitoring bracelet using self-mixing interferometry and smartphone connectivity. From 2017 onward, they shifted toward industrial and security-oriented photonic sensing, joining larger ECSEL consortia working on ultrasound interfaces (SILENSE) and LiDAR/time-of-flight technologies (VIZTA). The trajectory shows a clear pivot from health-tech wearables to broader photonic sensing for Industry 4.0, smart buildings, and security applications.

BCB is moving from niche medical wearables toward high-volume industrial sensing applications (LiDAR, biometrics, smart buildings), suggesting they want to apply their optical signal expertise to larger, more scalable markets.

How they like to work

BCB operates primarily as a participant in larger consortia (3 out of 4 projects) but demonstrated coordination capability with Baby Beat, their flagship SME Instrument project. With 68 unique partners across 17 countries from just 4 projects, they are comfortable in large ECSEL-type consortia where they contribute specialized sensing and algorithm components. Their single coordination experience combined with mostly participant roles suggests they are a focused technical contributor who can step up to lead when the project aligns tightly with their product vision.

BCB has built a surprisingly wide network for an SME with only 4 projects — 68 unique partners across 17 countries, largely thanks to participation in large ECSEL joint undertaking consortia. Their geographic reach spans most of the EU, with no obvious single-country concentration.

What sets them apart

BCB sits at the intersection of optical physics and practical product engineering — they can take a sensing principle like self-mixing interferometry or single photon avalanche diodes and turn it into a working device with mobile connectivity and embedded algorithms. This bridge between photonics research and product-ready electronics is rare among SMEs. For consortium builders, they offer the ability to handle the "last mile" of turning a sensor concept into a demonstrable prototype with software integration.

Highlights from their portfolio

• Baby Beat
  BCB's only coordinated project and largest single grant (EUR 764K via SME Instrument Phase 2), developing a wearable fetal heart monitor — shows their ability to own and drive a full product concept.
• VIZTA
  Their most recent project, positioning BCB in the fast-growing LiDAR and time-of-flight sensing space with applications in biometrics, security, and smart buildings.
• HypoSens
  Nano-confined photonic system for breast cancer lymph node detection — demonstrates BCB's photonic sensing capability applied to high-impact medical diagnostics beyond prenatal care.