According to Intel IoT is expected to be a multi-trillion-dollar market, with 50 billion devices creating 44 zettabytes (or 44 trillion gigabytes) of data annually by 2020. But that widely cited 50 billion IoT devices in 2020 number is clearly not correct! Forecast of 50 Billion Devices by 2020 Is Outdated. In 2017 we should be talking about about some sensible numbers. The current count is somewhere between Gartner’s estimate of 6.4 billion (which doesn’t include smartphones, tablets, and computers), International Data Corporation’s estimate of 9 billion (which also excludes those devices), and IHS’s estimate of 17.6 billion (with all such devices included). Both Ericsson and Evans have lowered their expectations from 50 billion for 2020: Evans, who is now CTO of Stringify, says he expects to see 30 billion connected devices by then, while Ericsson figures on 28 billion by 2021.
Connectivity and security will be key features for Internet of Things processors in 2017. Microcontroller (MCU) makers will continue to target their products at the Internet of Things (IoT) in 2017 by giving more focus on battery life, more connectivity of various types, and greater security. The new architectures are almost sure to spawn a multitude of IoT MCUs in 2017 from manufacturers who adopt ARM’s core designs.
ARM will be big. Last year, ARM’s partners shipped 15 billion chips based on its architectures. The trend toward IoT processors will go well beyond ARM licensees. Intel rolled out the Intel Atom E3900 Series for IoT applications. And do not forget MIPS an RISC-V.
FPGA manufacturers are pushing their products to IoT market. They promise that FPGAs solve challenges at the core of IoT implementation: making IoT devices power efficient, handling incompatible interfaces, and providing a processing growth path to handle the inevitable increase in device performance requirement.
Energy harvesting field will become interesting in 2017 as it is more broadly adopted. Energy harvesting is becoming the way forward to help supplement battery power or lose the need for it altogether. Generally researchers are eyeing energy-harvesting to power ultra-low-power devices, wearable technology, and other things that don’t need a lot of power or don’t come in a battery-friendly form factor.
Low power wide area networks (LPWA) networks (also known as NarrowBand IoT) will be hot in 2017. There is hope that f LPWA nets will act as a catalyst, changing the nature of the embedded and machine-to-machine markets as NB-IoT focuses specifically on indoor coverage, low cost, long battery life, and enabling a large number of connected devices. The markets will become a kind of do-it-yourselfers paradise of modules and services, blurring the lines between vendors, users and partners. At the same time for years to come, the market for low power wide area networks (LPWA) will be as fragmented and is already in a race to the bottom (Sigfox, said to be promising costs approaching $1 per node per year). Competing technologies include Sigfox, LoRa Alliance, LTE Cat 1, LTE Cat M1 (eMTC), LTE Cat NB1 (NB-IoT) and other sub-gigahertz options almost too numerous to enumerate.
We are starting to see a battle between different IoT technologies, and in few years to come we will see which are winners and which technologies will be lost in the fight. Sigfox and Lora are currently starting well, but telecom operators with mobile networks NB-IoT will try hit the race heavily in 2017. Vendors prep Cat M1, NB1 for 2017: The Cat M1 standard delivers up to 380 Kbits/second over a 1.4 MHz channel. NB-1 handles up to 40 Kbits/s over 200 kHz channels. Vendors hope the 7-billion-unit installed base of cellular M2M modules expands. It’s too early to tell which technologies will be mainstream and which niche. It could be that cellular NB-IOT was too late, it will fail in the short term, it can win in the long term, and the industry will struggle to make any money from it. At $2 a year, 20 billion devices will contribute around 4% of current global mobile subscription revenues.
New versions of communication standards will be taken into use in 2017. For example Bluetooth 5 that adds more speed and IoT functionality. In 2017, we will see an increase in the number of devices with the new Bluetooth 5 standard.
Industrial IoT to gain traction in 2017. Industrial applications ultimately have the greater transformative potential than consumer products, offering users real returns on investment (ROI) rather than just enhanced convenience or “cool factor”. But the industrial sector is conservative and has been slow to embrace an industrial IoT (IIoT), but is seems that they are getting interested now. During the past year there has been considerable progress in removing many of the barriers to IIoT adoption. A global wide implementation of an IIoT is many years away, of course. The issues of standards and interoperability will most likely remain unresolved for several years to come, but progress is being made. The Industrial Internet Consortium released a framework to support development of standards and best practices for IIoT security.
The IIoT market is certainly poised to grow. A Genpact research study, for instance, indicates that more than 80% of large companies believe that the IIoT will be essential to their future success. In a recent market analysis by Industry ARC, for instance, the projected value of the IIoT market will reach more than $120 billion by 2021. Research firm Markets and Markets is even more optimistic, pegging IIoT growth at a CAGR of 8% to more than $150 billion by 2020. And the benefits will follow. By GE’s estimate, the IIoT will stimulate an increase in the global GDP of $10 to $15 trillion over the next 20 years.
Systems integrators are seeking a quick way to enter the industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) market. So expect to see many plug and play IoT sensor systems unveiled. There were many releses in 2016, and expect to see more in 2017. Expect to see device, connectivity and cloud service to be marketed as one packet.
IoT analytics will be talked a lot in 2017. Many companies will promise to turn Big Data insights into bigger solutions. For industrial customers Big Data analytics is promised to drive operational efficiencies, cut costs, boosting production, and improving worker productivity. There are many IIoT analytic solution and platform suppliers already on the market and a growing number of companies are now addressing industrial analytics use.
In 2016 it was all bout getting the IoT devices connected to cloud. In 2017 we will see increased talk about fog computing. Fog computing is new IoT trend pushed by Cisco and many other companies. As the Internet of Things (IoT) evolves, decentralized, distributed-intelligence concepts such as “fog computing” are taking hold to address the need for lower latencies, improved security, lower power consumption, and higher reliability. The basic premise of fog computing is classic decentralization whereby some processing and storage functions are better performed locally instead of sending data all the way from the sensor, to the cloud, and back again to an actuator. This demands smarter sensors and new wireless sensor network architectures. Groups such as the Open Fog Consortium have formed to define how it should best be done. You might start to want to be able to run the same code in cloud and your IoT device.
The situation in IoT security in 2016 was already Hacking the IoT: As Bad As I Feared It’d Be and there is nothing that would indicate that the situation will not get any better in 2017. A veritable army of Internet-connected equipment has been circumvented of late, due to vulnerabilities in its hardware, software or both … “smart” TVs, set-top boxes and PVRs, along with IP cameras, routers, DSL, fiber and cable modems, printers and standalone print servers, NASs, cellular hot spots, and probably plenty of other gear. IoT world at the moment is full of vulnerable devices, and it will take years to get then replaces with more secure devices. Those vulnerable devices can be used to make huge DDoS attacks against Internet services. The 2016 October 21 cyberattacks on Dyn brought to light how easily many IoT devices can be compromised. I expect that kind of incidents will happen more in 2017 as DDoS botnets are pretty easy to build with tools available on-line. There’s no question that everyone in the chain – manufacturers, retailers and consumers – have to do a better job securing connected devices.When it comes to IoT, more security is needed.
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Tomi Engdahl says:
Moving to a wireless remote monitoring system
http://www.controleng.com/single-article/moving-to-a-wireless-remote-monitoring-system/e503b9f862c01eddc3b4e18bbd663945.html
Heed this advice on what needs to be considered when moving from a wired remote monitoring communications to wireless communications.
While wired remote monitoring offers advantages over manual readings from sensors or gauges, it does have limitations—depending on the application—regarding installation cost, sensor flexibility, and environmental influences. If a remote monitoring application requires multiple sensors to monitor various parameters, for example, a wired system requires each sensor be wired back to the controller using an interface port. For large systems, a wired system requires a large interface panel with many different interfaces.
Benefits beyond wireless
In lieu of making a complete changeover, wireless modules are available that can convert digital information into individual analog channels, simulating the existing analog interface. Although this is the easiest solution for a quick changeover, and does not require any software changes, it does not use the vast increase in data and diagnostic benefits made possible by changing the complete communications architecture to a wireless sensor control system.
Costs
Wired systems: What is the area over which the wired system will operate? Costs related to running conduit over large areas, especially if requiring trenching, can make a wired system too cost-prohibitive.
Wireless systems: With no conduit or trenching requirements, a wireless system can be installed at the cost of a wired system with 15m of installed conduit—less if conduit needs to be buried.
Maintenance
Wired systems: When removing sensors for periodic maintenance, wires connecting to units can be damaged. Improper wire labeling can result in incorrect sensor replacement.
Wireless systems: In a wireless system, nodes integrate to sensors that send data directly to a gateway. When removing sensors for maintenance, the wireless node easily detaches and re-attaches without interference by wires.
Environmental
Wired systems: Underground conduit often is ruined by equipment when digging a trench for another underground conduit run. The cost to replace conduit and cable systems can be huge. In addition, lightning strikes on a sensor will propagate along all wires, often destroying equipment attached to the system.
Wireless systems: With no underground wires, nothing must be dug when going wireless. Once installed, lighting strikes to a sensor may damage the single unit, but not interfere with the complete system.
Topography
Wired systems: Certain locations make it impractical to run wires, such as across a highway or river.
Wireless systems: A wireless node can be installed easily on the other side of a highway or river. Self-configuring, wireless nodes automatically connect to the network.
Tomi Engdahl says:
IEEE hones 802.11ah standard for smart grid IoT future, bettering wireless range and energy efficiency in sub 1 GHz band
http://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/pt/2017/07/ieee-ah-iot.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2017-08-17
- IEEE and the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA), have announced the availability of the IEEE 802.11ah-2016 standard amendment, providing for an extended range Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) in the sub 1 GHz band.
According to a press release, IEEE 802.11ah-2016 significantly lowers propagation loss through free space, walls and other obstructions, and offers a networking alternative to augment the heavily congested 2.4 GHz band and the shorter-range 5 GHz band used today. Further, IEEE 802.11ah-2016 defines a narrow-band orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) physical layer (PHY) operating in the license-exempt bands below 1 GHz, making it suitable for several potential applications, such as Internet of Things (IoT), smart grid, healthcare, smart appliances and wearables.
The IEEE 802.11ah-2016 standard amendment offers multiple low rates modes (starting from 150 kb/s) for extended range (up to 1 km outdoors) and higher rate modes (up to 347 Mbps) for applications requiring higher throughput. It supports outdoor deployment and can provide robust performance in large delay spread environments. Low rate modes are suitable for IoT applications, and provide whole-home coverage for battery-operated, small form-factor devices, such as temperature and moisture sensors. Higher rate modes support plug-in devices with a power amplifier, such as video security cameras.
Additionally, the IEEE 802.11ah-2016 standard amendment is optimized for long battery life and serving an increased number of devices with a MAC layer that enables increased scalability, higher power efficiency, and relay operation (single hop or multi-hop).
More than 300 individuals from equipment and silicon suppliers, service providers, systems integrators, consultant organizations and academic institutions from more than 20 countries participated in the development of IEEE 802.11ah-2016.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Fixing cities
https://techcrunch.com/2017/05/29/fixing-cities/?utm_source=tcfbpage&sr_share=facebook
Local information is a mess, but tech and journalism are joining forces to help
Incremental changes happening across tech, local news and local government are finally making the world around you transparent.
This isn’t some “smart cities” concept fantasy, like those corporate marketing videos you see from time to time.
The last big pieces are just now falling into place, with tech companies finally pushing major improvements in two areas:
Local distribution: Google, Facebook, Nextdoor and other companies with local-facing products are increasingly trying to surface the most relevant data points, articles and other information to their users.
Local data: Yelp, Foursquare, Trulia and many other local-category tech companies are opening up and analyzing their data for everyone
Tomi Engdahl says:
Startup Runs MCU on 5 MicroW
Hot Chips to see demo of 0.25V IoT SoC
http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1332169
A startup will demo at Hot Chips next week an ARM Cortex-M3 SoC doing useful work while consuming five microwatts. The Dial architecture from Eta Compute represents a new low for the annual event traditionally focused on high-performance processors.
Eta claims it can enable significantly lower power microcontrollers than are currently available using asynchronous circuits that can operate down to 0.25V. “We think we can make a dent in the way embedded systems are built,” said Paul Washkewicz, one of three co-founders and the vice president of marketing and sales at Eta.
Eta’s 90nm chip can multiplex between an A/D converter, DSP and Cortex-M3 cores while dissipating less than 50 microwatts. It has a lower power version working in silicon built in a 55nm process.
The designs aim to enable simple nodes on the Internet of Things such as Bluetooth beacons and LoRa end points running off energy harvesters such as small solar panels. The 90nm design runs the M3 core at a data rate of up to 200 kHz, powered by a solar cell with fluorescent lighting. Washkewicz argues getting rid of batteries will be useful for many kinds of IoT deployments.
Their Dial architecture uses a novel handshake to wake up circuits resting at power levels below 0.3V. It quickly turns on devices without the set up and wait times associated with synchronous circuits.
Plenty of microcontrollers support data rates as low as 100 kHz. Only a few such as startup Ambiq can support circuits running as low as 0.9V. Washkewicz claims Eta’s 0.25V technology enables a five-fold improvement in MIPS/Watt compared to today’s MCUs
Tomi Engdahl says:
What is IoT?
Beyond being a network of online, connected, smart devices, the internet of things it can be a nightmare for IT
http://www.networkworld.com/article/3207535/internet-of-things/what-is-iot.html
The Internet of Things, at its simplest level, is smart devices – from refrigerators that warn you when you’re out of milk to industrial sensors – that are connected to the Internet so they can share data, but IoT is far from a simple challenge for IT departments.
For many companies, it represents a vast influx of new devices, many of which are difficult to secure and manage. It’s comparable to the advent of BYOD, except the new gizmos are potentially more difficult to secure, aren’t all running one of three or four basic operating systems, and there are already more of them.
A lot more, in fact – IDC research says that there are around 13 billion connected devices in use worldwide already, and that that number could expand to 30 billion within the next three years. (There were less than 4 billion smartphone subscriptions active around the world in Ericsson’s most recent Mobility Report.)
Tomi Engdahl says:
How to conduct an IoT pen test
Security experts explain the nuances
http://www.networkworld.com/article/3198495/internet-of-things/how-to-conduct-an-iot-pen-test.html
Penetration testing was much like taking a battering ram to the door of the fortress. Keep pounding away and maybe find a secret backdoor to enter through. But what happens if pieces of the network are outside of the fortress? With the flurry of Internet of Things devices, is it harder to conduct a pen test with that many devices and end points?
Claud Xiao, principal security researcher, Unit 42 at Palo Alto Networks, said for just testing some network services on IoT devices in a black box way, the difficulty level and the steps are similar with regular pen testing. But if you’re discovering vulnerabilities via analyzing firmware or via analyzing wireless communications (e.g., Bluetooth or ZigBee), that’s much harder.
“Every step above may fail due to diversity existing everywhere during IoT devices’ and embedded Linux system’s design and implementation. Even if a security flaw was discovered, some additional knowledge may be required in order to write a workable exploit code,” Xiao said.
The benefits to pen testing Iot include strengthening device security, protecting against unauthorized usage, avoiding Elevation of Privileges, Lowerreducing the risk of compromise, better user and data privacy, and settrong Encryptionencryption to avoid man-in-the-middle (MTM) attacks.
Tomi Engdahl says:
IoT standards battles could get messy
So many devices, so little time
http://www.networkworld.com/article/3195468/internet-of-things/iot-standards-battles-could-get-messy.html
As enterprises start to think about building Internet of Things (IoT) networks, the key question becomes: What’s happening on the standards front?
Without platforms and standards to guide the development of products and services, IoT could become a chaotic mess.
Widely accepted standards and broad platforms are needed in three key areas:
1. The instrumented devices themselves, which can include just about anything from smart city street lights to industrial controls to farm equipment.
2. The network, which will probably be a combination of wired and wireless that brings IoT data back to a data center.
3. And a system of alerts or analyses or some way to make the data actionable.
These systems need to work together in order for IoT to be useful for enterprises. While the IoT standards process is still in its infancy, there’s an increasing sense of urgency as the momentum behind IoT continues to build.
A survey of nearly 1,000 enterprises worldwide conducted by 451 Research from August to October 2016 shows that 71% of organizations are gathering data as part of IoT initiatives today.
Tomi Engdahl says:
New NIST draft embeds privacy into US govt security for the first time
Federal agency addresses the new world of Alexa, smart cameras and IoT
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/08/18/new_nist_draft_embeds_privacy_into_security_for_the_first_time/
A draft of new IT security measures by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has for the first time pulled privacy into its core text as well as expanded its scope to include the internet of things and smart home technology.
The proposed “Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations” will be the go-to set of standards and guidelines for US federal agencies and acts as a baseline for broader industry. As such, it has a huge impact on how technology is used and implemented across America.
This version of the document – its fifth draft – concerns itself with edge computing: the rapidly expanding world of interconnected systems and devices that continue to be added to IT systems and the broader internet.
Major changes include:
A focus on improved outcomes rather than a general security overview
Fully integrating privacy controls into security controls and spending more time digging into the relationship between privacy and security
Separating the process of selecting of controls from the actual controls – i.e. allowing organizations other than federal agencies to dip in to the document and grab relevant information without having to wade through irrelevant procurement information (that info has been pushed into a separate document).
Greater integration with other risk management and cybersecurity approaches, including the use of common language
Updated information on systems used to analyze threats and attacks
The addition of privacy concerns is especially stark – the word “privacy” appears more than 2,000 times in the 500-page document. It contains information on both philosophical and pragmatic approaches to privacy to help sysadmins balance security and privacy concerns.
Draft NIST Special Publication 800-53
Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations
https://regmedia.co.uk/2017/08/17/nist-sec-drft5.pdf
Tomi Engdahl says:
Update gone wrong leaves 500 smart locks inoperable
Fatal error leaves customers scrambling for fixes that can take a week or longer.
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/08/500-smart-locks-arent-so-smart-anymore-thanks-to-botched-update/
Hundreds of Internet-connected locks became inoperable last week after a faulty software update caused them to experience a fatal system error, manufacturer LockState said.
The incident is the latest reminder that the so-called Internet of Things—in which locks, thermostats, and other everyday appliances are embedded with small Internet-connected computers—often provide as many annoyances as they do conveniences. Over the past week, the Colorado-based company’s Twitter feed has been gorged with comments from customers who were suddenly unable to lock or unlock their doors normally. Complicating the matter: the affected LockState model—the RemoteLock 6i—is included in an Airbnb partnership called Host Assist. That left many hosts unable to remotely control their locks.
The failure occurred last Monday when LockState mistakenly sent some 6i lock models a firmware update developed for 7i locks. The update left earlier 6i models unable to be locked and no longer able to receive over-the-air updates. LockState Marketing Manager John Cargile told Ars that the failure hit about 500 locks. The company is offering affected customers one of two options: (1) return the back portion of the lock to LockState so the firmware can be updated, with a turnaround time of about five to seven days, or (2) request a replacement interior lock, with a turnaround time of about 14 to 18 days. In the meantime, customers can use a physical key to unlock doors. (Like most hotel rooms, the doors automatically lock each time they’re closed.)
Tomi Engdahl says:
Helping SMEs Harness the IoT Via PLM
How to use a PLM system to manage IoT connectivity and smart manufacturing processes.
https://www.designnews.com/automation/helping-smes-harness-iot-plm/62116612057314?cid=nl.x.dn14.edt.aud.dn.20170818.tst004t
The Internet of things (IoT) is becoming the way of the world and because of it, there are now more components being manufactured and more intricate design chain challenges than ever. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will have to learn to trust data and analytics, where once they relied on people. To truly embrace this digital transformation, manufacturers need to step out of their comfort zones to learn new habits, acquire new disciplines, and implement organizational transformation that extends to their supply chain.
For small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), this may be a bit of a challenge. Turning to their product lifecycle management (PLM) system to manage backend activities typically stored in customer relationship management (CRM), issue tracking, and data collection systems — as well as all the supply chain activities associated with procurement — can help SMEs take advantage of the IoT like larger companies.
PLM’s Role in Leveraging Big Data
PLM technology provides a system to centralize product data, standardize business processes and streamline communication of information across distributed product development teams. It helps to shorten development cycles, improve quality and cut the time-to-market by enabling access to current and accurate product data. Anytime. Anywhere.
Embracing Customer Input
Customer feedback is commonly used throughout the product development process to ensure that the end product is something that solves a customer’s problem or fulfils a need.
The Role of Communication Tracking Within PLM Systems
If a large percentage of customers suggest a product feature or want an additional customer service channel, it has now become possible to capture this information using PLM. PLM provides a communication platform to capture issues, feedback, and discussions from internal resources, customers, suppliers, and devices.
Better Products Come from the Communication Loop
SMEs are coordinating 75% or more of their supply chain activity outside their four walls, using data derived from tapping into such areas as IoT, mobility and cloud-based technologies to achieve a more collaborative PLM framework, according to Frost & Sullivan. The results can deliver positive impacts in the design and engineering of products. This information SMEs are now tapping into is providing greater data accuracy, clarity, and insights, leading to better decision-making.
Extending PLM capabilities to include downstream processes, data sharing and analytics improve insights into customer requirements and make use of product performance data in real life. With PLCs, sensors, and smart devices improving and becoming more affordable and efficient, there are now more opportunities to track and research how devices are performing and how customers are experiencing products in all industries. Meaningful data gathered from customers, devices, suppliers and multiple departments internal to an organization, can seamlessly be filtered and leveraged throughout PLM processes to create better-engineered products.
Tomi Engdahl says:
De-Risking Design: Reducing Snafu’s When Creating Products
You can reduce design risk with sound up-front procedures that anticipate and solve potential problems.
https://www.designnews.com/design-hardware-software/de-risking-design-reducing-snafu-s-when-creating-products/31600514357039
With growing time-to-market pressures and increasingly complex systems within products, the design process has become risky. These risks show up during the process of bringing a product concept into reality. Whether it’s sole-source components that might cause supply chain issues or untested connectivity added at the end to meet competitive pressure, much can go wrong with design. You face the added risk once the product is out in the field and the market reacts to it.
Throughout the product development and design journey, day-to-day risk decisions get made: Should we add a last-minute feature at launch? Should we use multiple sources for each component? “You have to look at design the way an investor looks at a portfolio, deciding where you want to be on the risk compendium,” Jeff Hebert, VP of engineering at product development firm, Synapse, told Design News .
Many companies accept a wide range of risks along the way, pushing for shorter timelines and reduced costs. But, Murphy’s Law has a way of catching up. A last-minute feature could delay the launch or expose a bug. A single-source component could experience supply chain woes, threatening a holiday launch. “If you have all the time and money, you can be confident you will get the net results, but it will take a long time and many iterations,” said Hebert. “The question is how do you balance risk and additional cost? Hopefully you can do it in such a way there are no hard trade-offs.”
Building De-Risk into the Design Process
Avoiding the hard trade-offs and reducing the likelihood of problems due to untested technology or supply issues is a matter of implementing procedures that identify risk and mitigate as much of it as possible. Hebert calls it de-risking design. He describes it as a combination of up-front analysis and strategic testing. He noted that up-front analysis and test/validation can be done on different aspects of the product simultaneously, avoiding the time-consuming process of doing one consideration at a time. “It’s front loading — a stitch in time saves nine,” said Hebert. “You can do things in parallel. If you have two or three things that have never been tested, you can focus on them in isolation.”
Gain the Knowledge of the Product’s Technology
Do you want to add IoT connectivity to your product? Do you want to make sure that connectivity is secure? Then you need to become
“It’s not just de-risking the system but also understanding it. It’s called knowledge-based product development,” said Hebert. “This involves learning as much as you can about the technology in the product. When the technology changes, you’ll understand the space you’re playing in, so you’ll know how the design needs to be changed.”
Tomi Engdahl says:
LIFT BIT: the connected sofa
https://www.open-electronics.org/lift-bit-the-connected-sofa/
Design and technology in a perfect marriage: applying the DUST network for internet enabled control of an innovative modular sofa that can be adjusted at will, thanks to an electronic section prototyped with SmartEverything.
the new SmartEverything family, a wide range of application prototyping boards for the Internet of Things which board/cards are equipped, depending on the model, with various low-power wireless links
We have already praised the DUST protocol, highlighting its main values, especially for the realization of mesh type WPAN networks, and now it’s time to see a practical example of what we can do with it
SmartMesh is the only Dust network created to meet IoT’s stringent requirements of reliability and safety for the industrial sector.
Here is a recap of its features:
>99.999% network reliability; SmartMesh provides the business-critical data where other solutions fail (please note that industrial applications do not tolerate error percentages over 1%, which means losing 3.65 days of activity per year).
Safety and encryption with NIST certification: data are protected end-to-end by AES 128-bit encryption, by the integrity check of messages (to prevent messages from being altered) and by authentication (the transmitter must identify itself).
Scalability up to 10,000 nodes allowed by time-synchronized, channel hopping technology, eliminating data collisions. Data optimization algorithms smartly balance data traffic for an effective re-routing.
Bidirectional communication for monitoring and controlling application: sensor data acquisition, log file research, sensor configuration, actuator control (alarms, locks, vaults, HVAC regulators etc.).
Blink mode, allowing support of roaming nodes, safe and reliable communication with an average absorption of 3 µA.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Experts: The future of IoT will be fascinating and also potentially catastrophic
Insecurity of IoT is a top concern
http://www.networkworld.com/article/3199966/internet-of-things/experts-the-future-of-iot-will-be-fascinating-and-also-potentially-catastrophic.html
The Internet of Things is going to be inescapable, pervasive, and riddled with insecurity, but it’s at least going to be interesting, according to a raft of prominent technologists surveyed by the Pew Research Center.
Unsurprisingly, IoT security was the name of the game, the experts agreed, but it’s the effect of the present insecurity in IoT and the possible future effects that have them fascinated. The security breaches that have happened already were clearly on the minds of the respondents. Not only has IoT contributed to general online chaos via the Mirai botnet and other incidents, the trend of integrating connected devices ever more deeply into vital infrastructure reveals the potential for even more destructive attacks.
“Right now, losing a credit card record costs a firm something like $0.35, plus a six-month gift certificate for a credit-monitoring service. But the data from those breaches, combined with other breach data by crooks, can be used to pull off breathtaking identity theft crimes,” Doctorow said. “If firms had to pay the entire likely lifetime losses from breaches … then no insurer would underwrite companies that were as sloppy as today’s – data collection and retention would be priced accordingly by insurers, at a much higher price than today’s.”
“There are many risks that reliability and safety will suffer unless the makers are diligent about protecting user interests. It could be impossible to escape increased connectivity. Look at present dependence on Google Maps or generally on mobiles and apps in the last 10 years. Reliability will be key. If such systems prove to be unreliable, people will leave in droves.”
Tomi Engdahl says:
The Week In Review: IoT
LightSquared’s revival; Qualcomm, Logicalis team; IoT data management market.
https://semiengineering.com/the-week-in-review-iot-59/
Longing for LightSquared? The once-bankrupt company that tried to build a network with satellite airwaves and traditional spectrum has been reborn as Ligado Networks, which wants to serve 5G and Industrial Internet of Things applications with a mobile data network, employing satellite communications and other resources.
Super Micro Computer brought out compact systems and motherboards with Intel’s Atom C3000 system-on-a-chip devices for applications in embedded appliances, intelligent data centers, and network edges. Supermicro’s A2 series motherboards feature two to 16 Atom cores.
Parks Associates has scheduled its annual CONNECTIONS Summit: IoT and the Smart Home conference for January 9, 2018, during CES 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Topics to be discussed at the one-day conference are Support, Privacy, and Connected Consumers; Smart Home Platforms; Voice Control; Smart Home & Interoperability; Creating Compelling IoT Services with AI and Data Analytics; and Smart Home and IoT.
Gartner found 75% of end-user respondents said they were willing to pay more for 5G wireless communications, with 57% of those participating in the survey saying their organizations will use 5G for IoT communications. “This finding is surprising, as the number of deployed ‘things’ that need cellular connectivity won’t exceed the capacity of existing cellular IoT technologies before 2023 in most regions,” Gartner’s Sylvain Fabre said in a statement. “And even once fully implemented, 5G will suit only a narrow subset of IoT use cases that require a combination of very high data rates and very low latency. In addition, 5G won’t be ready to support massive machine-type communications, or ultra-reliable and low-latency communications, until early 2020.”
“Thingbots” are botnets that specifically aim for IoT devices, and they helped to drive a 280% increase in Telnet attack activity during the first six months of 2017, according to F5 Labs. That growth was due to the Mirai malware and subsequent attacks, the organization reports. There’s a new thingbot dubbed Persirai, F5 says.
Future Market Insights predicts the worldwide IoT security product market will have a 14.9% CAGR over the next decade, increasing from more than $12 billion in 2017 to almost $50 billion by the end of 2027.
Tomi Engdahl says:
ASC – Alexa Sprinkler Controller
Low cost, Alexa Enabled IoT 8 zone sprinkler controller based on the ESP8266
https://hackaday.io/project/26850-asc-alexa-sprinkler-controller
This project aims to produce a low cost replacement for COTS sprinkler timers. ASC or Alexa Sprinkler Controller features an ESP8266 MCU at its core. Alexa voice and web interface will provide control functionality via WIFI.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Forget Troy. Try HelenOS
http://hackaday.com/2017/08/20/forget-troy-try-helenos/
Even though it seems like there are a lot of operating system choices, the number narrows if you start counting kernels, instead of distributions. Sure, Windows is clearly an operating system family, and on the Unix-like side, there is Linux and BSD. But many other operating systems–Ubuntu, Fedora, Raspian–they all derive from some stock operating system. There are some outliers, though, and one of those is HelenOS. The open source OS runs on many platforms, including PCs, Raspberry PIs, Beaglebones, and many others.
http://www.helenos.org/
HelenOS is a portable microkernel-based multiserver operating system designed and implemented from scratch. It decomposes key operating system functionality such as file systems, networking, device drivers and graphical user interface into a collection of fine-grained user space components that interact with each other via message passing. A failure or crash of one component does not directly harm others. HelenOS is therefore flexible, modular, extensible, fault tolerant and easy to understand.
Tomi Engdahl says:
2JCIE
http://components.omron.eu/Product-details/2JCIE
Sensing your surrounding environment and helps you to assist your comprehensive assessment of indoor comfort
Battery operable 46 x 39 x 15mm small package including 7 sensors
Based on Bluetooth low energy, sensor beacon can simplify the deployment
Embedded memory for data logging can keep track of surrounding environment
Temperature, Humidity, Light, UVI, Absolute pressure, Noise, Acceleration
Tomi Engdahl says:
Aerohive unveils combo wallplate wireless AP, switch with embedded IoT capability
http://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/2017/08/aerohive-embedded-iot.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2017-08-21
Aerohive Networks (NYSE:HIVE) has unveiled the AP150W, billed as the “first small form factor wallplate access point and switch combination with embedded IoT capability.” Designed both for Ethernet-jack wall mounting or placement on a desktop, the AP150W can be installed in less than two minutes, contends the company.
Every AP150W has anti-counterfeit and platform-integrity measures that protect network secrets and prevent operation without valid access verification. For greater use-case flexibility, the AP150W can power VoIP phones, IoT sensors, and cameras through its integrated PoE switch and Passive Passthrough Port, which provides investment protection for existing cabling and switch infrastructure.”
“Wi-Fi has become the primary connectivity at work, home, and play,” notes Alan Amrod, senior vice president, Products Organization, Aerohive Networks. “By packing 802.11ac Wave 2 Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet switching, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and ZigBee technologies into a small form factor that can be installed in less than two minutes, Wi-Fi in every room has finally become affordable and easy.”
Tomi Engdahl says:
IBM Cloud employs 4,000 mi. of fiber at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz stadium to support IoT-connected systems
http://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/pt/2017/08/ibm-cloud-employs-4-000-mi-of-fiber-at-atlanta-s-mercedes-benz-stadium-to-support-iot-connected-syst.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2017-08-21
“The Atlanta Falcons football team and Atlanta United soccer team have a new home — the glass-encased Mercedes-Benz stadium that is located next to their former home in the Georgia Dome. The new stadium uses IBM Cloud as the basis of a converged network with more than 4,000 miles of fiber on a passive optical network to support IoT-connected systems throughout the building.”
The 71,000-seat stadium has 90 miles of audio cabling and nearly 2,000 wireless access points for Wi-Fi connectivity. The stadium includes a 360-degree, 63,000-square-foot HD Video Halo Board and more than 2,000 video displays throughout the building. The IT infrastructure is the heart and brain to the immense video presence within the stadium.
Going high tech with IBM Cloud at Atlanta’s new Mercedes-Benz stadium
http://www.techrepublic.com/article/going-high-tech-with-ibm-cloud-at-atlantas-new-mercedes-benz-stadium/
The newest professional sports stadium opens next week in Atlanta, and it’s filled with new tech to improve the fan experience as a result of the team’s partnership with IBM.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Predictive Maintenance Benefits
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/sponsors/features/siemens/what-can-predictive-maintenance-mean-for-your-bottom-line/?adv=7051&prx_t=dvgCAAAAAAFEANA
Tomi Engdahl says:
Meet the Challenge of Designing Electrically Small Antennas
http://www.mwrf.com/components/meet-challenge-designing-electrically-small-antennas?NL=MWRF-001&Issue=MWRF-001_20170822_MWRF-001_892&sfvc4enews=42&cl=article_1_b&utm_rid=CPG05000002750211&utm_campaign=12586&utm_medium=email&elq2=46de0742b87d49c09c361c7daf367592
Antenna Q diminishes with shrinking antenna size, although it is still possible to achieve acceptable Q performance even as antenna designs become electrically small.
Antennas are vital for communications devices, although the continuing miniaturization of communications products has forced antenna designers to follow suit. However, due to the fundamental limitations in size and performance (Chu’s limit), achieving miniaturization with good antenna performance is challenging. Electrically small antennas (ESAs) are limited in bandwidth and radiating efficiency.
By understanding the effects of antenna size reduction on quality factor (Q), bandwidth, efficiency, and gain, it is possible to design a miniature antenna without drastically compromising performance. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach, an ESA was designed and developed for GPS (1.575 GHz) at one-tenth the operating wavelength.
Attempting to miniaturize an antenna by having radiating element(s) very close to the ground plane results in low radiation resistance, high reactance, narrow bandwidth, and poor radiation efficiency. The bandwidth capacity of a small antenna is approximately inversely related to the radiation quality factor (Q). Hence, antenna miniaturization is quite challenging. Metamaterials have been quite popular as far as antenna miniaturization is concerned.
These artificial structures can be engineered to support negative and zeroth-order modes which were not available in traditional microstrip antennas.
However, metamaterial-based structures inherently have high Q and narrow bandwidth.
Tomi Engdahl says:
What CanPredictive MaintenanceMean for Your Bottom Line?
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/sponsors/features/siemens/what-can-predictive-maintenance-mean-for-your-bottom-line/?adv=7051&prx_t=dvgCAAAAAAFEANA
Unplanned downtime is the enemy of every industry. The earlier a vital repair can be made to a broken piece of machinery,the faster a company can return to profitability
The Industrial Internet of Things is changing that. MindSphere from Siemens, the open, cloud-based operating system for the IoT, allows historical performance data of each asset to be compared to real-time operating data, meaning subtle changes in system behavior are caught well before reaching critical levels. With this approach, a company’s mindset can go from “repair and replace” to “predict and prevent.”
The financial benefits for companies that leverage connectivity and digitalization can be staggering. By the year 2025, the total economic impact of the IoT is forecast to be a minimum a $1.2 trillion/year
Tomi Engdahl says:
Columbus 2020 and the Rise of Smaller Smart Cities
http://www.electronicdesign.com/automotive/columbus-2020-and-rise-smaller-smart-cities?NL=ED-004&Issue=ED-004_20170822_ED-004_677&sfvc4enews=42&cl=article_1_b&utm_rid=CPG05000002750211&utm_campaign=12573&utm_medium=email&elq2=b1c337afad0442e19e9e5816b8fd3231
Forget New York and Los Angeles—it’s really the small to midsize metro areas like Columbus, Ohio, that are successfully implementing smart-city programs.
Smart-city programs are popping up all over the United States. As we economize the Internet of Things and technology becomes more affordable, cities are taking advantage of the tech boom and looking to instill new programs in their infrastructure. While much of the focus may go to major cities like New York or Los Angeles, medium-sized to smaller cities are actually leading the charge.
A recent survey by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the analytics firm IHS Markit revealed that 30% of existing smart-city projects are occurring in small cities with residents of 150,000 or less. The survey concluded that smaller and medium-sized cities may have an easier time implementing new technology. These cities may be more motivated to attract interested companies to be their test beds to bringing investment capital and encourage job growth.
One such city is Columbus, Ohio, which was recognized as the Intelligent Community of the Year by the Intelligent Community Foundation. The local government for Columbus has launched Columbus 2020. The goal of Columbus 2020 is to serve “as the economic development organization for the 11-county Columbus Region, working in partnership with state and local partners to generate opportunity and build capacity for economic growth.” The goals of the program are as follow:
Add 150,000 net new jobs
Generate $8 billion of capital investment
Raise personal per capita income by 30%
Earn recognition as a leader in economic development
The shape and size of small and mid-size cities make great test beds for smart programs because they are large enough to have the resources but contained enough to be a perfect controlled environment. Hopefully, the success of smaller smart cities can eventually be applied to larger areas and the country.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Machines Text and Tweet, Eliminates Need to Write Custom Code
https://www.designnews.com/automation-motion-control/machines-text-and-tweet-eliminates-need-write-custom-code/149982184057326?cid=nl.x.dn14.edt.aud.dn.20170822.tst004t
Prebuilt software component provides ability for machines to “tweet” or send email using a configurable solution that eliminates the need to write custom code.
The ability to send to send text messages and/or email from a machine, triggered by specific events, is potentially an effective way to increase machine availability and limit downtime. The idea is that, by providing a configurable software block, users can create messages in just a few clicks.
A simple, obvious example would be an alarm message notifying a maintenance technician that there is a condition on the machine that demands immediate attention. The new mapp Tweet from B&R Industrial Automation also provides an ability to supplement the message with troubleshooting instructions that allow the technician to quickly and efficiently resolve the cause of the alarm. If the service technician isn’t on site, they can connect to run remote diagnostics and adjust system parameters to resolve the error.
The mapp Tweet software block is just one example of how B&R has been expanding its mapp Technology software framework. The framework is a set of modular blocks that handle basic machine functions so that users, rather than writing lines and lines of code to create a user management system, alarm system or motion control functions, can simply configure a ready-made component.
Tomi Engdahl says:
The reindeer got their own IoT transmitters – The IoT network finds the lost reindeer
Lapland’s reindeer owners in Finland want unresolved reindeer herding. The reindeer of dead reindeer will soon be real-time when the LoRa network built by Digita Oy is piloted in Palojärvi reindeer in Rovaniemi in September.
“Real-time tracking and positioning reduces the number of hours of job seekers, which is also a big saving for the reindeer,” says Seppo Koivisto, a project leader in Palojärvi Reindeer .
” New transmitters in the IoT network do not need SIM cards, they pay a fraction of the stock price, and data traffic charges are a few euros a year. The equipment works with a small kettle for up to ten years, so this is a huge change, “says Särkisaari.
Palojärvi Reindeer is located in Rovaniemi, Tervola, Ylitornio and Pello. The ground floor area is approximately 4000 square kilometers. There are 5000 reindeers in the area. The new transmitters get hundreds of reindeer, whose movements are tracked up until the spring.
Digita is piloting reindeer tracking with the reindeer herding lake through the LoRa network. Tracking is important for the reindeer industry. The IoT network allows you to track more and more reindeer and also find the missing individuals.
IoT network based on digital masts and bi-directional LoRa technology enables the operation of extensive network-connected devices. Also, the battery life of portable devices connected to the IoT network is much better than the older technologies.
“Compared to earlier reindeer tracking devices, Digita’s IoT network solutions enable even lighter and longer-lasting tracking devices,” says Ari Kuukka, Director of Digita’s IoT Services.
Sources:
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2017/08/22/iot-verkko-loytaa-kadonneet-porot/
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2017/06/22/porot-saivat-omat-iot-lahettimet/
Tomi Engdahl says:
IIoT and the rise of the cobots
http://www.controleng.com/single-article/iiot-and-the-rise-of-the-cobots/8b42a7d2a43988a5d4f1e189433ac625.html?OCVALIDATE&[email protected]&ocid=101781
Though traditional robots remain relevant, collaborative robots are starting to emerge more in the industry, as they should with their small size, low cost, and adaptability to offer.
Tomi Engdahl says:
PC-based controls: Expanding plant-floor architectures from the edge to IIoT
http://www.controleng.com/single-article/pc-based-controls-expanding-plant-floor-architectures-from-the-edge-to-iiot/e082b6f202b403f53e6d2c369749f74d.html
Edge devices facilitate data processing at the plant level, increasing security and using Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) standards.
“Smart” edge devices facilitate data processing at the plant level. Several tasks must be accomplished before a device can be considered a smart edge device. The first task centers on data collection from the industrial process. Once data has been acquired and stored, the edge device then accomplishes its primary task—data analysis based on preset goals or parameters. These tasks are carried out directly on the device, with the option to move the data vertically to the cloud or to other company databases for filling dashboards used by business and facilities managers.
Data can be transmitted at the edge and/or to the cloud using recognized IoT and IIoT standards, such as object linking and embedding for process control unified architecture (OPC UA), message queuing telemetry transport (MQTT), and advanced message queuing protocol (AMQP). This creates a seamless migration path for future upgrades, and PC-based control systems are best-suited for these kinds of applications because of inherent openness to IT standards for hardware, software, and networking.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Reducing the Regulatory Burden with IIoT
http://www.sealevel.com/community/blog/reducing-the-regulatory-burden-with-iiot/
The regulatory burden is a fact for every industry, from hospitality to manufacturing. It’s time-consuming and expensive to fill out reports, and the cost of compliance seems to increase every year. However, breaching regulations could be the end of your business.
So, can technology make things easier for business owners? The answer is a resounding yes, especially with technology such as Internet of Things (IoT) and the manufacturing-focused Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). The following three examples show how IoT and IIoT can help companies meet regulatory requirements:
The U.S. has an estimated 200,000 miles of pipelines carrying hazardous gases and liquids.
A dedicated agency, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), generates reports based on large amounts of data gathered from private operators.
IoT makes it possible to gather this data and forward it electronically to regulatory bodies such as PHMSA. With small, low-energy sensors, it is feasible to monitor pressure throughout the pipeline, making it easy to identify potential leaks.
Wearable technology will play a big role in reducing work place accidents and helping employers meet their obligations under OSHA. Common consumer technology such as FitBit-style fitness trackers already offer vital data.
Managing cold chains is one of the biggest logistical problems in both food and pharmaceuticals. If an item in transport is allowed to rise above the maximum temperature, even briefly, it could pose a major health hazard to the person at the receiving end. Cold chain integrity is monitored by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with cold chain integrity regulations relating to food codified in the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
Breakthroughs in IoT offer new ways of ensuring cold chain integrity at all times. Cheap, disposable sensors can be attached to each package
Tomi Engdahl says:
Paul Sawers / VentureBeat:
Netscape co-founder Jim Clark launches CommandScape, a building management system for commercial and premium residential properties
Netscape’s Jim Clark launches CommandScape, a building management system for commercial and premium properties
https://venturebeat.com/2017/08/22/netscapes-jim-clark-launches-commandscape-a-building-management-system-for-commercial-and-premium-properties/
As a creator of some of the internet’s biggest brands, Jim Clark should require little introduction. But the 73-year-old Texan billionaire doesn’t garner the same kinds of headlines as Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, or Mark Zuckerberg.
In 1981, computer scientist Clark cofounded Silicon Graphics
After leaving Silicon Graphics in the early 1990s, Clark went on to found Netscape
and Healthscape, which later became Healtheon and then, via an acquisition, WebMD, the online health information publisher that was acquired for $2.8 billion just last month.
Managing buildings
Launching today, CommandScape is striving to bring a “state of the art” building management system to properties, including both premium residential and commercial buildings. In real terms, this means that CommandScape will offer controls for video surveillance and security, aircon, motion-activated lighting, and everything in between. This will all be underpinned by “an entirely new cybersecure platform,” the company said in a statement.
“There has been limited building management innovation over the last several years and in turn, there remains a need for a highly secure and integrated control system suitable for commercial properties and large homes,” said Clark, who serves as CommandScape’s chairman and sole founder. “CommandScape solves that problem with the next generation of security and control that allows users to connect and manage their property though an intuitive application anywhere and anytime.”
A key facet of CommandScape’s offering is its mobile-first visual interface. Property owners and managers will see a floor plan of their building(s) and through the app they can zoom in and interact with specific features, such as lighting and blinds, or take a look at what’s going on in a room via an installed security camera.
Through the CommandScape app, users can also manage multiple properties from around the world, which may come in particularly handy for businesses like hotels. And the platform allows owners and managers to authorize individuals with remote access to specific properties, granting different degrees of permission depending on the building or other requirements of a given space.
At launch, CommandScape’s platform will offer management controls for physical security, video surveillance, lighting, shade control (e.g. blinds), and motion detection for automation and alerts. The company said that it plans to introduce support for climate control, network monitoring, energy monitoring, access control, home entertainment, and multimedia in the future.
VentureBeat report from 2005 noted how Clark and CommandScape planned to begin marketing software that Clark himself had developed to automate his personal yachts and Florida mansion. “I don’t have in mind a massive consumer play here,” Clark said at the time. “There is a potential to build a nice, tidy little business.”
it wasn’t until 2015 that he decided to kick off the business venture.
https://www.commandscape.com/
Tomi Engdahl says:
SMARC 2.0 Creates a New IoT Playing Field
http://www.electronicdesign.com/embedded-revolution/smarc-20-creates-new-iot-playing-field
The first computer modules for SMARC 2.0 are equipped with “Apollo Lake” Intel Atom, Celeron, and Pentium processors. What are the advantages of this specification for credit-card-sized modules and the new processors?
With the revision of 1.1 to 2.0, SMARC has evolved to a new standard with a clear profile and unique positioning for Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled multimedia platforms as well as many other graphics-intensive low-power applications. With its numerous graphics, camera, sound, network, and optional wireless interfaces, the new SMARC 2.0 specification positions itself exactly between the two well-established module standards Qseven and COM Express.
SMARC 2.0 fits between COM Express and Qseven in the competitive landscape.
Compared to the Qseven standard, which enables low-cost entry into the world of computer modules and integrates various x86 and ARM low-power processors for the process and field levels, SMARC offers more interfaces—particularly more multimedia interfaces. Compared to the high-performance COM Express modules that make up the COM performance class, SMARC 2.0 is positioned in the low-power processor segment and supports less interfaces than COM Express.
SMARC 2.0 provides a rich array of modern serial I/Os as well as video and network interfaces, suiting it well for many multimedia and graphics-rich IoT applications. To help simplify application development, congatec has come up with optional Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in compliance with the M.2 1216 interface specification to round off the interface portfolio of SMARC 2.0 modules for IoT designs.
Applications can be found in digital signage systems, commercial streaming clients, industrial thin clients and HMIs, all kinds of GUI devices, point-of-sale (POS) systems, professional gaming machines, infotainment platforms, as well as IoT gateways.
With 314 pins, the SMARC 2.0 connector—which is also used in the MXM 3.0 graphics card standard—can support up to four video outputs, thereby affording SMARC 2.0 a strong multimedia orientation. In addition, 2x 24-bit LVDS/eDP/MIPI DSI plus HDMI/DP++ and DP++, as well as 2x MIPI camera interfaces and two audio interfaces over HDA and I2S, are provided. New features include additional USB ports for up to 6x USB, including 2x USB 3.0, a second Ethernet port for segmented IoT connection or line and ring structures, a fourth PCI Express Lane. and 1x eSPI.
Discontinued is the support for the obsolete parallel camera and display interfaces, external eMMC, SPDIF, one of the three I2S channels, and the Alternate Function Block (AFB).
Tomi Engdahl says:
Handling Privacy and Security Concerns in the IoT: The Importance of Identity
http://www.edn.com/electronics-blogs/eye-on-iot-/4439853/Handling-Privacy-and-Security-Concerns-in-the-IoT–The-Importance-of-Identity?utm_source=Aspencore&utm_medium=EDN
Tomi Engdahl says:
Machine Learning and AI at the IoT Edge
Machine analytics are moving down from the cloud and onto the devices on machine itself.
https://www.designnews.com/iot/machine-learning-and-ai-iot-edge/143539199457330?cid=nl.x.dn14.edt.aud.dn.20170823.tst004t
As the world of internet devices expands, many devices are being created to process data on their own. These intelligent IoT devices do more than simply collect and mindlessly deliver data. Many are able to process data on the spot rather than send it to the cloud for analysis. Whether in industry, aerospace, or even in your car, IoT devices are beginning to effectively analyze diverse sets of data to produce value in real-time – at the edge.
If these smart devices can be deployed to identify maintenance issues before they occur, plants can improve their operations considerably. If the data from the plant equipment have to be sent to the cloud for analytics, it slows the ability to act before disruption occurs. An intelligent device can potentially process enough data on the spot to alert the control team that anomalies are occuring.
Pushing the machine data down to the devices on the machine lets plant operators take action on the spot in real-time. “Industrial internet systems are important enough to monitor in real time,” said Crupi. “You look at all of the connected devices as a source of data. Then, instead of dumping the data into the cloud, you look at it in real time.”
Fix the Machine Before It Fails
Smart devices can be programmed to identify changes in the equipment that might indicate a potential failure. The sooner those changes are identified they more likely can be fixed before failure. “Plant operators need to learn how the equipment is running and to see anomalies. You don’t want something to fail. If you can detect it early, you can take action,” said Crupi. “You don’t even need to send the data to the cloud to take action. You can use the cloud for analytics, but you can use machine learning at the edge and take action right there. This machine is running hot, so we’re going to shut it off.”
Crupi believes that the industries that can make the best use of edge analysis are those what have large engines. The devices can learn the behavior of the engines, then spot changes in that behavior. “The industries that are most interested in this are ones that use large engines. Any industry with multiple large systems such as diesel engines on ships need to detect problems before they occur,” said Crupi. “They need to build patterns to identify anomalies. You create these patterns in analytics.”
The Machine Is Smarter than the Human
While the search for anomalies is processed in a manner similar to the human brain, the machine learning system can manage more data than a human operator. “These devices are better at identifying anomalies than people are because they can see things and nuances that humans would miss because of the minute detail. AI is good at seeing the detail,” said Crupi. “These things that AI sees in industrial settings may be an early indicator, and it may be missed by any human who monitors the system. The computer can look at partial hits that represent a pattern. Sometimes humans miss it, or don’t see it as having bigger significance.”
As devices become more sophisticated in identifying anomalies and potential problems with the equipment, they can eventually be programmed to solve the problem in real time rather than simply sending alerts to a human. “We want to take the intelligence to see if we need to take action. We need to take action until the system can learn to detect anomalies and take action itself,”
Tomi Engdahl says:
Sarah Perez / TechCrunch:
Google and Walmart announce partnership to offer voice shopping through Assistant on Google Home; Google drops $95/year fee for Google Express — Walmart and Google are today announcing a new partnership that will enable voice shopping through Google Assistant, Google’s virtual assistant …
Walmart and Google partner on voice-based shopping
https://techcrunch.com/2017/08/22/walmart-and-google-partner-on-voice-based-shopping/
Walmart and Google are today announcing a new partnership that will enable voice shopping through Google Assistant, Google’s virtual assistant that lives on devices like its smart speaker, Google Home. Specifically, consumers will now be able to take advantage of Walmart’s “Easy Reorder” feature through an integration with Google’s shopping service, Google Express. This will allow consumers to shop from hundreds of thousands of Walmart products just by speaking, the companies explain.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Arjun Kharpal / CNBC:
President of Samsung’s mobile division DJ Koh confirms the company is working on its own smart speaker, may announce soon
Samsung confirms it’s working on an Amazon Echo competitor
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/23/samsung-working-on-smart-speaker-to-rival-amazon-echo-apple-homepod.html
Samsung is working on a smart speaker that will be launched “soon”
DJ Koh, the president of Samsung’s mobile division, said a smart speaker was on the way
Samsung will come up against the likes of Amazon, Google and Apple
“Maybe soon we will announce it. I am already working on it,” Koh told CNBC in an interview ahead of the Note 8 smartphone launch which took place on Wednesday.
And it appears the company could be moving fast on the product.
“As I mentioned I wanted to provide a fruitful user experience at home with Samsung devices, and I want to be moving quite heavily on it,” Koh said.
Samsung has big ambitions in the smart home space, hoping to connect products from TVs and refrigerators. The idea is to have Bixby, the company’s digital personal assistant at the center. On the flagship Galaxy S8 smartphone and Note 8 device, a function called Bixby Home is available. This allows people to connect their devices to the smartphone to be controlled via Bixby.
While Koh was not able to give further details on what the smart speaker product will look like or whether it will be powered by Bixby, it’s clear that it fits into the company’s broader home ambitions. A smart speaker product can be used to connect to lights, TVs, or even thermostats and could be controlled by voice.
The smart home vision is one that Amazon’s Echo, Google Home, and Apple’s HomePod all share. Samsung is now entering the young but highly-competitive market.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Control The Air Conditioning With Slack
http://hackaday.com/2017/08/23/control-the-air-conditioning-with-slack/
[Raphael Baron] needed a better way to control his office’s air conditioning units. Sure, they have remotes, but that’s too easy. [Raphael] came up with a solution that uses an ESP8266, a computer, IR LEDs, and a bot that runs on Slack.
[Raphael] built a prototype of the ESP8266 hardware on protoboard and used it to read and record the IR signals from the remote. Once he’d figured out the issues he was having with the IR library he was using, he could use it to send the IR commands to the AC unit. Since their office has two AC units, [Raphael] built a second prototype which had two IR LEDs but didn’t have the IR receiver. Using this he could turn both AC units on and off and set their temperatures.
For the server, [Raphael] turned to Clojure, a dialect of Lisp, which provides easy access to the Java Framework, mainly to get practice working with the language. The server’s main responsibility is to use Slack’s real-time API to listen for messages from a Slack bot and forward them to the ESP. In this way, a user talking to the Slack bot can send it messages which the server forwards to the microcontroller which, in turn, parses the messages and send IR commands to the AC units.
A Slack bot for controlling the office’s AC
http://rbaron.net/blog/2017/08/05/A-Slack-bot-for-controlling-the-offices-ac.html
In this post, I’ll try and talk about the building process of a system for controlling two of our office’s Air Conditioner units via Slack. It turned out to be really fun to build and, differently from virtually my side projects, surprisingly useful! This will be an overview of some of the interesting things that came up during the project. Please feel free to send me an email if you have any questions or suggestions.
This was a really fun project to work with and I definitely learned a lot from it. Tinkering with hardware and getting just a little analog feels almost a little therapeutic! While most of it is pretty hackish (specially the electronics), the second prototype has been running for a little over a month and seems to have survived through lack of internet, hard resets and many suspicious stares.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Automatic Irrigation control
https://hackaday.io/project/26952-automatic-irrigation-control
What do you do with an automatic irrigation controller that has gone wrong? Put an ESP8266 in it of course.
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Description
A few years ago I bought several cheap automatic irrigation controllers for my vegetable garden. Slowly they stopped working, mostly with a ‘low battery’ fault (new fresh batteries but the controller thought they were exhausted so stopped working).
They are simple devices that run on 3V and have a motorized valve to turn on/off the water. The shaft from the motor to the valve has a cam on it that operates a micro switch to indicate if the valve is open or closed.
The controller can easily be replaced with (in my case) an ESP-08 using one of the GPIO lines to monitor the switch and another via a transistor to operate the motor.
The new controller can be programmed via its own web page and exploits the ESP deep-sleep to give long battery life.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Hands-on review: making an open-source soil moisture alarm go full IoT
https://www.electronicproducts.com/Internet_of_Things/Sensors/Hands_on_review_making_an_open_source_soil_moisture_alarm_go_full_IoT.aspx
With the right additions, a cheap soil moisture sensor can become a wireless IoT moisture probe to help automate indoor plant watering
Chirp is open-source hardware available under CERN Hardware License v.1.1 and fully documented, making it easy to modify. The design is based on the ATtiny44A microcontroller and, surprisingly, offers a header onboard for programming and/or serial communication. Because Chirp acts as an I2C slave (with 7-bit address 0 x 20 hex), this header can also be used to read moisture (and light) levels from its sensors by linking another microcontroller to it as an I2C master.
The header also means that the battery is not actually necessary. Chirp’s header isn’t just an I2C connector; it’s actually a “full” 6-pin AVR-ISP header for programming its onboard ATtiny44A. This means that there are also reset and power supply connections available, allowing you to power the device externally by 3.3-/5.0-V source.
You can find some example code to use the Chirp as the front-end sensor in a big system as well. The code is pretty simple: whenever you want to get a reading from the moisture sensor, just call read I2C Register 16-bit (0 x 20) and you will get an integer representing the soil moisture content.
There needs to be an extra “brain” to send a wireless alert once the moisture level drops below an acceptable level.
Fortunately, a “Wemos D1” (mini pro/mini) that I had turned out to be quite suitable for this purpose because it has onboard Wi-Fi packed in as standard.
The “sensor-mode-only” version of Chirp (v2.7.1) uses a 16-MHz crystal and can reliably be read via I2C protocol. It also provides some additional features like thermistor-based temperature sensing, slave address changing, and chip resetting
Integration of this “sensor-mode-only” version with famed IoT hardware like the Particle Photon or the Espruino Pico can also be used to create more complex, advanced, and practicable wireless sensor projects
There’s also a featured project: “Getting Soil Moisture Sensor Information with Android Things and Raspberry Pi 3.” The project will transfer soil moisture sensor data over wireless through NodeMCU. This transfer will be done by using an Android Things installed gateway. You can access the project files on GitHub.
https://wemakethings.net/chirp/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Bringing Device Production to Everyone
https://developer.android.com/things/hardware/index.html
Android Things lets you build professional, mass-market products on a trusted platform, without previous knowledge of embedded system design.
Managed costs
Android Things reduces the large upfront development costs and risks inherent in getting your idea off the ground. When you’re ready to ship large quantities of devices, your costs scale linearly. In addition, ongoing engineering and testing costs are reduced by Google-provided updates.
I2C soil and moisture example using IgniteIotLibs
https://github.com/IoT-Ignite/arduino-sketch-i2c-soil-and-moisture-sensor-example
Tomi Engdahl says:
Dutch port taps smart street lighting, with IoT on the horizon
http://www.ledsmagazine.com/articles/2017/08/dutch-port-taps-smart-street-lighting-with-iot-on-the-horizon.html?eid=293591077&bid=1846936
Sensors and software from Tvilight should reduce energy and maintenance costs. Technology specialist Dynniq looks to tie lights to other systems such as traffic.
The Port of Moerdijk in southern Holland is installing smart street lighting controls across 2600 hectares of land in a bid to slash energy consumption and maintenance costs.
The Port will equip 1100 new LED street lights with motion sensors and management software from Amsterdam-based Tvilight. Dutch company Dynniq will oversee the rollout and the LED light installation.
A Tvilight spokesperson said the new smart street lighting system should slash the lighting electricity bill by up to 80% — in large measure by dynamic dimming — compared to the existing fluorescent lights, which do not benefit from smart controls. Tvilight’s CitySense sensors and CityManager software will also help cut maintenance costs by as much as 50%, through preventative maintenance, the spokesperson said.
The smart street lighting system will play a key role in the port’s aim to become “energy neutral” by 2030
“While delivering immediate results, such as energy savings, this technology also unlocks new opportunities for smart ports and industrial IoT [Internet of Things],” added André Meijer, managing director of Dynniq Mobility Netherlands. “The system can be easily connected to other solutions, which empowers the port with flexibility to support countless new applications, such as scenario- and traffic management.”
Tomi Engdahl says:
Reducing alert load via data analytics
http://www.controleng.com/single-article/reducing-alert-load-via-data-analytics/9b7b4d4b2ac16eaa42fdbd1daa271020.html
Technology Update: Cloud-based data analytics can help plant operators focus on the emergencies that matter and improve overall productivity as well as reduce plant downtime.
If control systems can identify potential issues early, power plant operators can take action to avoid downtime and remain in compliance. However, achieving this is far from easy.
It doesn’t take much for operators to become overwhelmed by the alerts and event notification coming from sensors and operational components. As technology has evolved, the number of sensors added to industrial equipment has mushroomed. While in the early days there were only a few dozen sensors inside a gas turbine, there are now thousands-and the number continues to grow. The advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) means more sensors are being added to every component, machine, and auxiliary system.
The bulk of these alerts are triggered by relatively unimportant factors. Yet operators must respond to all messages, even if they do no more than note the alert and take no further action. This absorbs too much of their time and makes it harder to address critical issues.
It is necessary, therefore, to free up the time of skilled personnel. The best way to do this is by reducing the number of alerts. This would enable them to zero in on priority action, thereby avoiding trips and load restrictions.
These three data sources are:
Archive data. Historical data, based on an archive of alerts, can assist in matching current event notifications with underlying causes. While some monitoring support tools use this data today, its usefulness is limited when used in isolation.
Engineering data. Engineering data plays an essential role in successful plant operation. In the hands of skilled specialists, it enables them to operate complex systems. Yet such data typically remains confined to functional silos—it is available only to a few trained technicians. That has made it difficult to analyze and cumbersome to apply as a practical aid in decision-making. However, it is possible for engineering data to be automatically translated into other formats and displayed graphically to enhance understanding of ongoing alerts and notifications.
Knowledge base. Machinery original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) often have access to massive knowledge bases gathered from thousands of power plants and turbines running worldwide. Some of information data dates back many decades. Intelligent use of analytics enables the matching of event notifications and alarms with similar events logged elsewhere.
The key to improved maintenance efficiency must go beyond the identification of root causes and be capable of reaching conclusions on time.
Cloud-based data analytics can provide that solution for engineers. When sophisticated analytics engines are used in tandem with the power of modern microprocessors, huge volumes of data can be synchronized, compared, and evaluated. This opens the door to alert volume reduction as well as faster and more accurate decisions.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Helping SMEs Harness the IoT Via PLM
How to use a PLM system to manage IoT connectivity and smart manufacturing processes.
https://www.designnews.com/automation/helping-smes-harness-iot-plm/62116612057314?cid=nl.x.dn14.edt.aud.dn.20170824.tst004t
The Internet of things (IoT) is becoming the way of the world and because of it, there are now more components being manufactured and more intricate design chain challenges than ever. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will have to learn to trust data and analytics, where once they relied on people. To truly embrace this digital transformation, manufacturers need to step out of their comfort zones to learn new habits, acquire new disciplines, and implement organizational transformation that extends to their supply chain.
For small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), this may be a bit of a challenge. Turning to their product lifecycle management (PLM) system to manage backend activities typically stored in customer relationship management (CRM), issue tracking, and data collection systems — as well as all the supply chain activities associated with procurement — can help SMEs take advantage of the IoT like larger companies.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Machine Learning and AI at the IoT Edge
Machine analytics are moving down from the cloud and onto the devices on machine itself.
https://www.designnews.com/iot/machine-learning-and-ai-iot-edge/143539199457330?cid=nl.x.dn14.edt.aud.dn.20170824.tst004t
As the world of internet devices expands, many devices are being created to process data on their own. These intelligent IoT devices do more than simply collect and mindlessly deliver data. Many are able to process data on the spot rather than send it to the cloud for analysis. Whether in industry, aerospace, or even in your car, IoT devices are beginning to effectively analyze diverse sets of data to produce value in real-time – at the edge.
If these smart devices can be deployed to identify maintenance issues before they occur, plants can improve their operations considerably. If the data from the plant equipment have to be sent to the cloud for analytics, it slows the ability to act before disruption occurs. An intelligent device can potentially process enough data on the spot to alert the control team that anomalies are occuring.
“Let’s take a system and learn what it’s doing, identify what’s going on, and pick up anomalies. You can compare this machine to what other machines are doing.” J
Tomi Engdahl says:
Do IoT Applications Need Intelligent Sensors?
https://www.designnews.com/iot/do-iot-applications-need-intelligent-sensors/70264221757327?cid=nl.x.dn14.edt.aud.dn.20170824.tst004t
Internet of Things applications can be complex, and many engineers are now searching for better ways to deal with the massive amounts of data coming from IoT sensors.
Internet of Things (IoT) applications can be complex, and many engineers are now searching for better ways to deal with the massive amounts of data coming from IoT sensors.
For many, the choice of a computing architecture is critical. They can employ a centralized model, where they send mountains of raw data to the cloud, or can they use an edge-based model, where they place electronic intelligence at the sensor.
DN: Why is it important to be talking about IoT computing architectures right now?
Murphy: My personal opinion is that the IoT has been dominated by a discussion of the cloud – it’s been all about analytics and software companies. And so we see a lot of people doing proof of concept, and they have great ideas, but they don’t really know what to do with them. And maybe the data isn’t good enough to provide value to the end customer.
So right now, you’ve got to determine what you want to achieve with an IoT system, and then work backward to determine what kind of system you really want.
DN: Do today’s industrial IoT applications typically use a centralized architecture or an edge-based computing model?
Beavers: It depends on whether it’s a “green field” or “brown field” network.
In a green field, you can bring in new [technology] and not be beholden to an incumbent network. You can develop something from scratch that fits the application. Some of the new IoT systems that we are bringing to market are edge-based. They can allow decisions and outcomes to happen that weren’t possible before.
Whereas, with a brown field network, you may have to work with the existing infrastructure. So you may have a centralized network there.
DN: What’s the advantage of this method?
Beavers: There are two advantages. One is we can make real-time decisions at the node or gateway. The other it is that we don’t burden the wireless infrastructure with having the send all the raw data to be analyzed.
Murphy: Also, in some cases the factory doesn’t want to send the data to the cloud. So there’s a security element to it, as well.
DN: But when you have a lot of data at the edge, instead of one central location, isn’t there a synchronization issue?
Murphy: Yes, synchronized data is a big thing. But as long as the data is time-stamped, it isn’t an issue in condition monitoring applications. People are quite happy to do localized control versus centralized control in the cloud.
DN: Are there some applications where the edge-based model doesn’t make sense?
Beavers: Yes. If you want to measure the performance of a machine over weeks or months, or you want to archive large batches of information for historical review, it may make more sense to use the cloud.
DN: So, in your opinion, is there still a place for the so-called “dumb sensor?”
Murphy: Yes, in the low end. If you want to take data from a chair in an auditorium, and you just want to know, is someone sitting in the chair, you can put a sensor in that chair that just measures a zero or a one.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Why did NB-IoT like worth to wait?
The number of IoT applications is in an explosive growth. For example, factory production systems are constantly gaining new features that take advantage of the new opportunities brought by IoT.
The first launched IoT technologies operate on unlicensed frequencies and are initially developed by one company. These Low Power Wide-Area (LPWAN) solutions for low power consumption and wide coverage include, for example, Sigfox and Lora. The unlicensed frequency allowed rapid entry into the closed ecosystem.
However, the future of these IoT technologies is uncertain, and many of these WiMax fates . WiMax was well ahead of the 4G technologies (DC-HSPA and LTE) in the market, and was ejected 10 years ago as the future of wireless broadband technology. Today, 4G has completely overwhelmed Wimax.
Narrowband IoT, shorter NB-IoT, is one of the evolutionary poles of 4G network technologies. This 3GPP standardized LPWAN technology has been part of the world’s largest telecommunications companies, including Nokia, Ericsson, Huawei and Intel. Its standard was not completed until summer 2016.
The bearish price promises growth
There are several weaknesses in IoT technologies that are not licensed: technology is only owned by one company, limited component manufacturers, network coverage and business models are overwhelming.
By contrast, open technologies with broad global support make it possible to achieve full scale scalability.
NB-IoT is now available for upgrading to the whole of Finland’s 4G network.
High quality communication
The 4G network is designed to serve mobile data connectivity needs also in the indoor environment. NB-IoT utilizes this same base station network with added new standard functionality.
Energy saving, easier maintenance and better security
NB-IoT offers many significant benefits compared to traditional mobile technology, one of the most important of which is energy efficiency. The connection is idle when it is not used, which extends the battery life considerably.
Technology also enables over-the-air (OTA) software upgrades.
The advantages of NB-IoT are so significant that, for example, Ericsson has predicted the number of devices connected to the network to rise to 30 billion in five years. This means that new business models will start to flow rapidly to the market.
Source: http://www.tivi.fi/Kumppaniblogit/dna/miksi-nb-iot-ta-kannatti-odottaa-6670507
Tomi Engdahl says:
Alexa-Controlled Smart Blinds
https://blog.hackster.io/alexa-controlled-smart-blinds-4bce5265ca93
Since its release in 2014, hackers have repurposed Amazon Alexa to do all kinds of tasks. YouTuber Grensom’s particular setup involves opening and closing blinds using a pair high-torque servo motors for physical manipulation
Tomi Engdahl says:
2.4 GHz antenna adheres to metal
http://www.edn.com/electronics-products/other/4458734/2-4-GHz-antenna-adheres-to-metal
About the size and thickness of a quarter, Laird’s mFlexPIFA flexible adhesive-backed antenna mounts directly on metal surfaces without detuning. The device is based on a PIFA (planar inverted-F antenna) structure comprising a mylar antenna element with a foam core to form a low-profile, flexible antenna that can be used on concave or convex curved metal surfaces.
The 2.4 GHz mFlexPIFA can be used in a multitude of IoT applications to wirelessly connect everything from household appliances and automated equipment to medical devices.
Dimensions of the tiny antenna are just 25.4×23.4×2.5 mm, and it weighs 1.8 g.
FlexPIFA™ and mFlexPIFA™ Antennas
https://www.lsr.com/embedded-wireless-modules/antennas#flexpifa
Tomi Engdahl says:
Design And Verification For An Era Of A Trillion Devices
https://semiengineering.com/design-and-verification-for-an-era-of-a-trillion-devices/
Excitement about the possibilities of IoT is balanced by concerns about security, safety, and ethics.
The technological progress makes me happy to be alive right now and I am an immediate state of 98% excited, 2% scared. There are so many interesting challenges to solve.
Where to process all the data, for example, will be an exciting IoT architecture question to work on. Transmitting all the data into the cloud and doing the processing there is not an option. This Google example shows the dilemma – three minutes of voice recognition by all Android users would require Google to double data centers. So processing has to happen thoughout the path as you follow the data. I went back and looked at Chris Rowen’s brilliant keynote at CDNLive, “Follow the Data.” Process data as you go.
Energy consumption will determine a lot of the decisions, as transmitting the data has energy limits. This will drive new inventions in the area of low power design.
What could go wrong?
Well, safety and security give me nightmares. A trillion devices are literally a hacker’s paradise. When I asked the gentleman who installed my solar system and said “plug this cable here into your wired home network” about what security mechanism would be in place so that this is not a potential intrusion, he stared at me with blank eyes. Now extend that to the total shut down of infrastructure as shown in another Bruce Willis movie, “Live Free or Die Hard.” OK, 98% scared, 2% excited it is. Luckily, the industry is working actively on flows for security and functional safety from a tools perspective. Interoperability of security architectures in IoT will be key going forward.
But where does all this end? The sensors become actuators as well and we can change the state of a nerve, re-creating sensory functions. Combined with machine learning, machines may soon be able to predict how we may react to what they do and say. Consciousness? And talking of AI, as my last movie reference for this blog, the dilemma in “I, Robot” is becoming an actual problem today. Will Smith’s character is upset because during an accident a robot saved him over a young girl because his chances of survival in this situation happened to be better. Still, was that the right decision from an ethics perspective? As we are teaching cars with AI and machine learning how to drive, if a collision becomes unavoidable, are they better off to harm the driver, aim for a pet or a pedestrian? These are ethics questions to be sorted out, and it won’t be easy to do.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Logitech’s security cams allegedly suck so bad, this US bloke is suing it
Class-action suit claims gadget maker dragged its heels to fix gear to run out warranty clock
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/08/24/logitech_sued_bad_cameras_and_support/
Logitech has been sued in America for allegedly selling defective security cameras and then refusing to service or replace the gear.
A class-action complaint [PDF] filed Tuesday in an Illinois district court by named plaintiff James Anderson claims that Logitech’s “Alert Systems” home security cameras were prone to connectivity problems, hardware failures, and software bugs that left them unreliable and in some cases inoperable.
“Logitech emphasized on its website and in marketing materials that the Alert Systems would provide customers with reliable, continuous home security through its digital cameras that had features such as night vision and weatherproofing that could prevent and discourage home invasions and robberies ‘rain or shine – summer or winter’,” the complaint reads.
The complaint alleges that Logitech forced customers to go through “repetitive, time-consuming, cumbersome, and unsuccessful troubleshooting processes,” and told owners of defective units that they would have to wait because the replacement hardware was on back-order and patches for software were delayed.
“As a result, Logitech strategically left customers without operable security systems during the warranty period while it ran out the clock,” the complaint reads.
“Logitech’s decision to discontinue the product negatively impacted the availability of replacement Alert Systems to consumers, who were often told cameras were already ‘backordered’ and that Logitech would continue to try and upgrade and fix the product. “
Tomi Engdahl says:
IoT Must Escape Silos of Things
http://www.eetimes.com/author.asp?section_id=36&doc_id=1332193&
A paradigm shift in how we represent data objects is needed to avoid building Silos of Things.
The IPSO Alliance is a group of highly motivated individuals and organizations who are passionate about IoT interoperability. Since our inception, we have analyzed IoT interoperability, published white papers based on our findings and—more importantly—produced data model specifications that define the most comprehensive set of interoperable IP-Based Smart Objects.
However, we recently discovered that, as good as our current IPSO Smart Object Model is, much more is needed.
For the past three years, we have been analyzing trends, strengths and shortcomings in the IoT space. What we discovered can only be described as Silos of Things. Unfortunately, the extent to which things in each silo can communicate with things in other silos is a function of human relationships and mergers and acquisitions, rather than technical endeavors.
It’s as if we all decided that the best method for IoT interoperability was the predefinition of things and their every possible permutation.
As such, back in the silos, things are born into subjugation, shackled by arbitrary predefinitions. To be fair, some silos allow for manufacturer-specific features. But there’s little point having a common vocabulary if you also require a separate dictionary for each manufacturer.
Today’s silos are challenged to represent emerging products such as thermostats with dim/bright buttons and hand-gesture-driven dimmers, or doorbells integrated with cameras, motion sensors and speakers, let alone voice-activated personal assistants, autonomous cars or robots.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Do IoT Applications Need Intelligent Sensors?
https://www.designnews.com/iot/do-iot-applications-need-intelligent-sensors/70264221757327?cid=nl.x.dn14.edt.aud.dn.20170825.tst004t
Internet of Things applications can be complex, and many engineers are now searching for better ways to deal with the massive amounts of data coming from IoT sensors.