Eseye, a world leader in IoT connectivity solutions, today launched its fifth consecutive IoT Predictions report which boldly coins 2024 ‘The Year of IoT Intelligence at the Edge’.

This is off the back of the industry starting to see a massive shift in power from the mobile network operator to the Enterprise in 2023. According to the predictions, this year IoT will also see an increased focus on resiliency and trust – a development that has been signalled for many years.

According to Nick Earle, CEO at Eseye, “In 2023 we noted a control shift from the network operator to the Enterprise and the device. This will continue into 2024 where we anticipate an increased focus on the shift from the traditional data centre to the Edge. This will allow for more intelligent connectivity and for IoT to embrace ‘Connected by Design’ principles which will increase device and Edge intelligence. This is a major leap forward for the technology and its users as data at the Edge becomes more business, mission, and life critical.”

Already industries such as healthcare, financial payments and the energy sector are experiencing the benefits of IoT and this is set to improve significantly as intelligence moves to the Edge and ultimately to the device itself, disrupting the IoT landscape further.

Based on this, Eseye’s 2024 predictions centre around connectivity intelligence shifting to the IoT device. To achieve this, Eseye anticipates three key developments to unfold in the industry this year.

First, new ‘Smart Connectivity’ software will link the Edge and the cloud, which will aid in combining full-stack integration enabling IoT devices to gather and process information to provide secure, resilient device-to-cloud connectivity.

Larry Socher, SVP Strategy & Alliances comments, “This connectivity software will seamlessly provide enhanced device connectivity to deliver an uninterrupted experience that maximises the device health and improves security.”

Second, Eseye predicts that in 2024 we will see the emergence of on-device communications software solutions that will provide the ‘Smart Connectivity’ that powers distributed data processing for IoT and sets the groundwork for 5G. This will be significant for various industries such as smart cars, security, and healthcare as it unlocks new capabilities for IoT.

“This year we will start to lay the foundations for challenging applications, such as augmented reality (AR) for telemedicine and remote surgery as we unlock the power of 5G,” continues Socher. “Implementing these capabilities can only be made possible by enabling core components of the intelligence at the one common architectural component – the device.”

Eseye’s third prediction for 2024 focuses on ‘Smart Connectivity’ as the foundation for Device-to-Cloud security, compliance, and trust. As the world prioritises securing data from malicious actors to make sure it cannot be stolen or altered, as well as implementing measures to adhere to data sovereignty and other mandated compliance, IoT will need to evolve to offer on-device security that is integrated into connectivity.

To enable this, IoT will need intelligent, device resident connectivity software which will protect the device, network, and applications, along with their keys. It will act as an implicit agent on the device providing instrumentation that can be used to manage the device and security (i.e. SIEM) and integrate with underlying network technologies and operators. Further, it should work with a Software Defined Network (SDN) to provide secure, in-region routing and auditability to enable security and compliance leveraging blockchain or similar technologies.

This could be extremely beneficial for new use cases such as the emerging carbon exchange market which has experienced a high rate of fraud in the carbon credit markets. To counter this an EV charger, or other device that wants to participate in carbon exchanges, will need to ensure that data generated from a device is fully auditable, accurate and has not been tampered with in transit from the device to the exchange. This will require a combination of full-stack security on the device, complete device-to-cloud encryption with secure routing, and blockchain or similar technologies to ensure integrity and auditability.

Earle concludes:

“By focusing on delivering a secure experience, ‘Smart Connectivity’ will lay the foundation for device-to-cloud security, compliance and preserve trust in 2024, which is critical for the future of IoT in 2024 and beyond.”

The post Eseye Predicts that 2024 will See the Rise of the Intelligent IoT Edge appeared first on IoT Business News.

Technology and the Internet of Things (IoT) has rejuvenated many segments of the modern marketplace, with businesses now integrating enriched departmental plans to manage those outcomes effectively.

Yet there are still elements of business life that need to be restructured. By doing this, companies can ensure they stand tall and edge the competition.

Part of that is ensuring your company not only prevents a brain drain but keeps rejuvenating its talent over time. For this, a robust hiring and recruitment protocol should be put in place. But what does that look like in practice, and how can this feel revivify itself?

In this post, we’ll discuss several tech solutions you can put in place to ensure you’re always staffing your ranks with the best possible professionals. With that in mind, please consider:

Leveraging Video Interviews

There’s a sense in some industries that only in-person interviews should count before achieving a job. The truth is that while this can certainly be part of the picture, you can also benefit from integrating video conferencing for your interview approach. Doing so can help you filter out a long list of clients or connect with others who might not have the ability to come and visit your offices at this very moment.

If you can leverage video interviews, you’ll be able to understand how a person comes across truly, and that means if you do implement a “second round,” you’ll know how the person presents themselves, a little information about them, and also how they think.

Utilizing Virtual Job Fairs

Integrating with digital job fairs can also be a fantastic method of hiring, especially from universities. You can find the best university rankings to consider which are most appropriate for your firm to hire from.

Then, integrating your brand with the digital job fair they put on each year can be a helpful step forward. It will also mean you have the justification to integrate a fantastic graduate recruitment program. This allows you to curate a wonderful

Enhancing Job Listings With Multimedia

A job ad is pretty simple, right? You just post what you’re looking for, wait for the applications to roll in, and then move on.

But norms are changing in many ways, and in our highly online age, multimedia can also work wonders. From a small behind-the-scenes video of how your team operates, asking for multimedia as part of a job application, or even asking for professional headshots can help you better categorize your applicants.

You might even implement a snapshot of your website, or perhaps showcase a trailer over the department you’re hoping to expend in your academic institution, so the applicant really understands what you’re looking for. This can improve the caliber of applicants you receive, and it also helps you put your best foot forward as a place to work for.

Consider An AI Checker

Now, AI checkers, much like AI itself, is in no way a final remedy. But you’d be surprised just how many applications and cover letters are fully written in AI. That might sound quite frustrating, and it can be.

If you’d rather dismiss clients like that, running suspicious applications through a checker might give you an idea of if the phrasing was legitimate and came from a genuine place. Of course, these tools are hardly 100% proven, and services providing them will make that very clear in their terms and conditions. But if you’re suspicious, or if you want to ask people to provide originality in their applications, you can simply say that you use these tools to get more genuine applications.

That might sound a little duplicitous, but so is applying to a job using a tool that provides the content for you.

Analyzing Data for Recruitment Insights

You’ll find that using data analytics to refine your recruitment effort can be a fantastic use of your time. Using data metrics based on who is applying, where they apply for, the kind of qualifications individuals hold when applying, time-to-fill and more, you can a full view of how your recruitment works.

This enables informed decision-making, allowing your team to strategically allocate resources, fine-tune recruitment strategies, and enhance overall efficiency. Perhaps for your executive level, headhunters have proven more effective than any other method. It’s techniques like this that make the most difference.

Moreover, the integration of data analytics gives you much-needed adaptability, enabling your recruitment team to alter their approach for every listing they post. It might also help you with other initiatives, perhaps helping your team stay diverse without tokenizing the people you bring into the business.

Robust Staff Management Utilities

A database of staff, the roles they fill, the coverage they’ve given, the placements they’ve been on, all of this could allow you to more easily track your staff labor allocations and also hire internally when a fantastic position comes up.

That way, you can seek to advance the careers of those who already work for you – and you can bet this will be appreciated. Moreover, robust staff management utilities such as this help you more easily understand which departments most need new staff to share the load, working alongside your expansionist approach for the best results.

Analyze Those Recruitment Market Trends

A recruitment effort is also a focused business decision, and you can study these in the market to see where the direction of industry is going. You can bet that many AI-focused roles will become increasingly common as time marches on.

Don’t forget, it’s not just about numbers; it’s a narrative waiting to be deciphered. Identifying those in-demand skills and industry shifts helps you see where you might expand, too. This insight allows your recruitment strategy to evolve proactively, ensuring that your team is not just reacting to changes but sculpting a strategy that aligns with the pulse of the job market. This could include the surge in remote work preferences or the sudden demand for niche skills, and data-driven adaptation ensures that your recruitment sails smoothly as it should.

With this advice, we hope you can use tech to revivify your recruitment efforts.

The post Using Tech Solutions To Revivify Recruitment Efforts appeared first on IoT Business News.

The security industry in 2024 is an exciting landscape that Hikvision is actively navigating. As it embraces technological innovation, and adapt to evolving societal needs, it is witnessing the convergence of advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data. These innovations are paving the way for smarter, more proactive, and predictive security solutions that are not only robust, but also meet the easy-to-use demands of users.

In this article, Hikvision wants to share the top seven trends that it anticipates will have a significant impact on the security industry this year.

1. AI is accelerating the augmentation of perception in machines

AI is accelerating the transformation of the security industry by enhancing machines’ perceptual capabilities. This is possible thanks to integration with visible light, audio, X-ray, infrared light, radar, and other technologies.

One example of this is Artificial Intelligence Image Signal Processing (AI-ISP) technology, revolutionizes video imaging and provides high-quality visuals through intelligent noise reduction. This enables clearer images with wide dynamic range and sharp detail even in low-light environments, reducing reliance on additional lighting and leading to more efficient situational responses.

2. AI-driven applications are set to revolutionize diverse industries

In the past year, advancements in large-scale AI models have improved the ability to interpret complex situations using diverse data. Hikvision believes this progress creates possibilities for more tailored AI solutions across various sectors including manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and education.

Based on open platforms and advanced algorithms, more streamlined architectures facilitate seamless AI adoption in a range of different verticals. This fosters collaboration and creates an innovative ecosystem for technological advancement.

3. Cloud and edge computing convergence is accelerating

The convergence of cloud and edge computing is driving the emergence of faster and more efficient services. This leads to real-time, intelligent solutions, like smarter perimeter control and more convenient cloud-based security system management, empowering us with immediate analytics and better decision-making at the edge. Cloud-based platforms also minimize hardware investments and offer scalable options for businesses of all sizes and budgets, reducing upfront and ongoing costs.

4. Digital twin technology has the potential to revolutionize business management

Digital twins are virtual models that simulate real-world scenarios in real time. By integrating with AIoT, cloud computing, and other technologies, they provide us with dynamic insights on performance metrics like security, traffic, and energy usage. This enables an immersive experience with synchronized visuals, improving process efficiency, enabling proactive maintenance, and leading to cost savings and better business management.

5. Display technology, particularly LED, is advancing rapidly

The rapid adoption of COB (Chip-on-Board) technology is driving demand for small-pitch LEDs. Innovative LED solutions are also emerging that balance lower energy consumption with high resolution, promoting carbon neutrality, and supporting broader applications. Integrated video walls in command centers, for example, help us make smart decisions with intuitive views. Interactive displays and digital signage are acting as catalysts for digital transformation in education, business, and the hospitality sectors.

6. Digital identity authentication security is increasingly crucial in safeguarding cybersecurity

Digital identity authentication involves verifying and authorizing identities, which is a pivotal cybersecurity measure. Threat actors use techniques like phishing, malware, and social engineering to steal personal information and identities. To safeguard digital identities, users and organizations should employ strong passwords, use multi-factor authentication, avoid public networks, update software in a timely manner, and guard against social engineering attacks.

7. Innovative technologies drive environmental sustainability and climate change resilience

Industry stakeholders are increasingly adopting green practices to reduce carbon emissions and resource usage. This includes efficient product transportation, sustainable packaging, and standardized component utilization. Hikvision also expects to see innovative technologies being used to increase climate change resilience. By integrating environmental sensors into security systems, for instance, it can better respond to natural disasters like floods, wildfires, landslides, and avalanches.

The post Top 7 trends for the security industry in 2024 appeared first on IoT Business News.

As we kick off 2024, the IoT Analytics team has again evaluated last year’s main IoT developments in the global “Internet of Things” arena.

This article highlights some general observations and our top 10 IoT stories from 2023, a year characterized by multi-decade high interest rates, a challenging macroeconomic environment, and, of course, the advent and excitement of generative AI (gen AI).

General IoT 2023 market

2023 was a year of surprises—both positive and negative. The U.S. and several other Western countries proved highly resilient in the face of higher interest rates and elevated inflation, and they avoided a much-anticipated recession. The 2023 global GDP growth of 3.0% ended up more solid than many had expected at the beginning of the year but still trailed the historic average by 0.8 percentage points.

The Nasdaq Composite, one of the key indices for technology companies, rose 43% in 2023 after dropping 33% in 2022. Not only did investors celebrate the potential peak in interest rates, but they also saw new opportunities with the hype around gen AI. Chipmaker Nvidia (ticker symbol NVDA) gained 246% in 2023, Amazon (AMZN) gained 77%, Microsoft (MSFT) gained 58%, and Alphabet (GOOG) gained 57%—all outshining the Nasdaq.

Against this backdrop, IoT 2023 markets held up steadily, with the number of connected IoT devices growing to approximately 16.7 billion (exact update coming in a few weeks) with roughly $235 billion in IoT enterprise spending (IoT Analytics will publish the 2023 IoT spending later in Q1).

The public relevance of the term “IoT,” which peaked in Q1 2022, continued to see strong interest, holding steady at around 10–20% below the Q1 2022 peak despite the renewed focus on AI (see Google trend graph in the lead image of this article). We did notice, however, that the use of the term “IoT” in corporate earnings calls declined 16% from Q4 2022 to Q4 2023.

With many organizations now managing millions of IoT devices (case in point: in Q4 2023, consumer giant Nestlé announced 2.8 million connected devices through the AWS IoT platform), do not assume that IoT is fading in importance. Quite the opposite: IoT is scaling for many organizations. Our take: IoT is not the “cool” term it used to be. In 2023, companies loved talking about the AI opportunity instead, but at the same time, IoT is quietly scaling.

Top 10 notable IoT 2023 developments

Throughout 2023, we monitored significant developments regarding IoT technology as part of our continued coverage of the field. In our opinion, these are the top 10 notable developments of IoT in 2023 (in chronological order of the leading stories we highlight).

1. Most notable IoT-related regulation: The EU’s NIS2 cybersecurity directive

In January 2023, the EU’s second Network and Information Security Directive (NIS2) became active. This cybersecurity directive comes as a follow-up to the first NIS directive (introduced in 2016) to address shortcomings from the first version, namely inconsistent implementation across member states in terms of what organizations were considered essential.

The new version enforces requirements for cyber risk management and incident reporting across 15 sectors. The intent of NIS2 is to clearly define the organizations meant to comply and to force them to deeply consider their cybersecurity posture, ideally protecting citizens and essential services from cyber threats.

Each EU member state has until October 2024 to adopt laws in compliance with NIS2 by 17 October 2024, giving companies time to look ahead and start compliance without much pressure now. However, as that deadline approaches, companies will begin to feel the compliance pressure, as failure to comply with its measures can cost companies up to €10 million or 2% of their annual global revenue (whichever is higher), as well as possible sanctions and audits.

The specific covered sector in the NIS2 that impacts IoT is digital infrastructure, which covers telecoms, DNS/TLD services, data centers, trust services, and cloud services. The EU projects the annual revenue of this sector to be €85.4 billion and notes that dependence on digital infrastructure opens companies to various cybersecurity risks.

In addition to NIS2, the EU is also expected to start enforcing its Cyber Resilience Act in early 2024. This legislation targets hardware and software products sold within the EU market. Once enforced, manufacturers will have 36 months to start applying the act’s guidelines.

Other notable IoT-related regulations in 2023 included:

2. Most surprising market destabilization: Tech layoffs

In January 2023, Microsoft announced it planned to lay off 10,000 employees between January and March 2023. Most notably for us, the third wave in March saw the largest cut for IoT-, AI-, and supply chain-focused personnel across various levels, functions, teams, and regions.

Microsoft did not have the most tech-industry layoffs—that unfortunate honor appears to belong to Amazon—but it was the most direct hit at IoT and related fields, especially from a company whose IoT services appear to be expanding, at least in the cloud (more on this below).

Google also experienced more layoffs than Microsoft. Though most of its layoffs appeared to be across the board, at times focused on their human resources and recruitment sections, Google shuttered its IoT Core service in August 2023 (also more on this below), meaning roles associated with that service either got moved elsewhere or scrapped altogether.

The fact that three companies seemingly at the forefront of the biggest tech trend in 2023, AI, laid off parts of their team shook the markets and created a lot of uncertainty. The IoT Analytics team noted that some of the laid-off people included high-performers who enjoyed industry-wide recognition, adding to the overall uncertainty of what was happening.

While the thousands of big tech layoffs represented only a small percentage of the respective company employee baseline, it was the startup scene that was most affected by the layoffs. For example, in December 2023, Israel-based grid-computing software startup Incredibuild, known for its accelerated software development technology, including for embedded IoT systems, laid off 40 employees, or 20% of its workforce (75% of which were based in the company’s HQ).

3. Most innovative IoT 2023 connectivity technology development: 5G in space

In July 2023, Spain-based low-Earth orbit (LEO) constellation satellite operator Sateliot and Spanish multinational telecommunications company Telefónica announced the success of their end-to-end test of a roaming 5G cellular network in space. The test process involved an IoT cellular device with a regular SIM card provisioned on Telefónica Tech’s Kite platform—all of this following 3GPP Release 17 non-terrestrial network (NTN) standards and leveraging narrowband IoT (broadly referred to as NB-IoT) communication technology. The device was able to switch between Telefónica’s terrestrial network and Sateliot’s non-terrestrial, low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite network, demonstrating the integration of both network types using GSMA roaming.

The test, which the European Space Agency supervised, also involved Sateliot’s “Store & Forward” mode, a two-step authentication method developed by Sateliot to store information on a satellite when it is not in a position to connect with a ground station, forwarding the information when it enters coverage range.

IoT solution providers working with sectors that can often experience intermittent connectivity, such as transportation, logistics, or rural agriculture, will see applications to keep their customers connected when between terrestrial 5G network node ranges. Interestingly, in February 2023, Sateliot partnered with space and IoT hardware company GOSPACE LABS to provide 5G NTN NB-IoT connectivity to GOSPACE LABS’ MERATCH water management solution in the US, including water wells in rural areas, and in April 2023, Sateliot applied to the US Federal Communications Commission to bring its space-based 5G NB-IoT technology to the US market.

4. Most accelerated driver of IoT 2023 initiatives: Sustainability and ESG

Amit Kohli, Sr. Solution Director and Sustainability Leader, Orange Business:

“Gone are the [days] of greenwashing. Things are getting more serious in terms of reporting… [It’s a less] casual outlook [than] in the past.”

Europe, and international companies doing business in the EU, witnessed a wave of sustainability directives enter into effect. This is not just one news story but a series of stories that have been on the radar of many for several years.

In January 2023, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) entered into force, enacted as a legal framework that requires all EU companies, except micro-enterprises, to submit annual sustainability reports starting in 2024. Then, on July 31, 2023, the European Commission adopted the first set of European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), which act as the roadmap for CSRD compliance and require large companies and listed companies to publish regular reports on the social and environmental risks they face. The ESRS became law on 1 January 2024 and now applies directly in all 27 EU member states. Large corporations now must report various IoT-type data, including pollution levels, GHG emissions, and resource use (e.g., water and energy consumption).

Additionally, in November 2023, the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (Revised Directive EU/2023/2413) became enforceable across all member states. The member states have 18 months to transpose the directive’s provisions into their own national laws, with some provisions having a deadline of July 2024.

With strict adherence guidelines like these, it was no surprise to find increasing emphasis and prioritization on sustainability and energy management at the Smart Production Solutions (SPS) Fair 2023 in Nuremberg, Germany, in November. Coinciding with this, we have noted sustainability and environmental concerns as key topics during CEO earnings calls throughout 2023.

Other notable sustainability ESG regulations in 2023 helping drive IoT initiatives included:

5. Largest IoT-related acquisition: Renesas acquires Sequans

In August 2023, Japan-based semiconductor manufacturer Renesas Electronics agreed to buy Sequans Communications, a France-based cellular IoT chipmaker, for $249 million. The deal, expected to close in early 2024, is poised to expand Renesas’ foray into the IoT sector. The electronics company plans to integrate Sequan’s cellular IoT products into its microcontrollers and other products, enhancing its WAN market reach.

A few months prior, in June 2023, Renesas completed its all-cash acquisition of Panthronics AG, an Austrian-based fabless semiconductor company specializing in wireless products. The deal was originally made in March 2023 for approximately $95 million, and in its announcement of the completed acquisition, Renesas released 13 designs leveraging Panthronics’ NFC technology, showcasing the “embedded processing, power, connectivity, and analog portfolios” of both companies and what customers may be able to look forward to in the near future.

These are just the latest IoT-focused acquisitions by Renesas, but they are by no means the largest by the company financially. The following is a breakdown of its other IoT-oriented acquisitions in recent years:

2017: Renesas began its IoT expansion journey by acquiring Intersil, a provider of power management and analog solutions, for approximately $3.2 billion, targeting larger IoT, automotive, and industrial market opportunities.
2019: Renesas acquired US-based mixed-signal semiconductor manufacturer Integrated Device Technology, Inc. (IDT) for approximately $6.7 billion.
2021: Renesas acquired UK-based Dialog Semiconductor in a nearly $6-billion deal. Dialog had been one of Apple’s major chip suppliers, and this deal sought to expand Renesas’ reach into the IoT, power management, and connectivity solutions market.
2022: Renesas acquired Stradian, an India-based manufacturer of 4D imaging radars, for approximately $44 million, aiming to boost its automotive and industrial sensing solution offerings.

Other notable IoT-related acquisition announcements of 2023 included:

6. Most notable software developments: IoT cloud wars

The leading cloud providers, Google, AWS, and Microsoft, all recorded a strong slowdown in cloud revenue growth in 2023 as many organizations started to optimize their cloud spending. AWS, for example, grew by 40% in late 2021 but slowed to 12% growth in late 2023.

On the back of slowing growth, in August 2023, Google made its shock announcement from 2022 a reality and shut down its IoT Core service. The company seemingly now redirects its customers to partners such as Litmus Automation, KORE Wireless, or SoftServe to get the job done (Google’s IoT Core site lists these and other partners on its website to “meet the needs of IoT customers”)

How would Microsoft and AWS react in 2023?

AWS and Microsoft Azure did not follow suit but instead expanded their IoT cloud services in 2023:

Microsoft most notably announced Azure IoT Operations in November 2023, an expansion of its Azure IoT portfolio enabled by Azure Arc. It aims to enable “a cloud to edge data plane with local data processing and analytics to transfer clean, useful data to hyperscale cloud services such as Microsoft Fabric for unified data governance and analytics.”

AWS also announced several IoT extensions to its cloud platform services portfolio in 2023, including AWS IoT FleetWise vision system data and AWS IoT SiteWise Edge on Siemens Industrial Edge B2B marketplace (both in November 2023) as well as a new open-source, no-code IoT dashboard application, aimed at allowing users to visualize and interact with data from its AWS IoT SiteWise service.

7. Largest IoT-related funding round: Pragmatic

UK-based circuits manufacturer Pragmatic Semiconductor raised $389.3 million in 2023. Its latest funding round, Series D, closed on 6 December 2023 and raised the largest venture funding round for a European chipmaker at $206 million.

Pragmatic Semiconductor manufactures flexible, ultra-thin integrated circuits—thinner than a human hair—by leveraging thin-film semiconductors and polymers rather than silicon. The company aims to use the technology to bring intelligence to low-cost items as part of IoT applications, including smart packaging, recycling and reuse, traceability, and product authentication.

Very notable in this latest funding round was that the UK Infrastructure Bank led in investments (alongside M&G Catalyst). While the US and EU worked to establish an early warning system for semiconductor supply chain disruptions and increase investment and trade between the two on this technological front, the UK pursued its own national semiconductor strategy. The strategy aims to support UK leadership in the research, design, and advancement of chip manufacturing, and the UK Infrastructure Bank made the direct equity investment to support this effort.

Other notable IoT-related funding rounds of 2023 included:

8. Best performing IoT 2023 stock: Samsara

After making our IoT 2022 in review list of underperforming IoT company stocks, US-based IoT solutions company Samsara, Inc. (ticker symbol “IOT”), best known for its fleet management and telematics solutions, witnessed 180% growth in its stock in 2023, rising from $11.92 on 3 January to $33.38 on 29 December. Bolstering its climb were three better-than-expected quarterly earnings reports in March, June, and November.

Founded in 2015 by Sanjit Biswas and John Bicket, Samsara specializes in telematics, or “the convergence of telecommunications and information processing,” as it defines it. However, it has expanded its portfolio in the past few years to offer a more holistic connected operations platform and target other industries, such as utilities, manufacturing, and retail.

In 2021, we listed Samsara’s IOT stock as the biggest IoT-related IPO of that year.

9. Most notable IoT 2023 project: 250 million smart meters in India

250 million (or 1.5%) of the current 16.6 billion global IoT devices could soon come from one initiative alone: the ambitious national smart meter roll-out in India. However, though approved in 2021, the project has generally sputtered along, largely due to low domestic production means for the meters while trying to cover a whole subcontinent.

This year, to help spur the project and control the costs, the Indian government opened the projects to a total expenditure (TOTEX) approach, whereby the government can issue $40 billion in grants on completion of the projects and pay per meter. The project’s goal and financial approach have also opened the project to international support. For example, in June 2023, the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) announced a formalized $49.5 million investment to India-based smart meter manufacturer Genus Power Infrastructures, aimed at helping the company expand its production of smart meters.

Nonetheless, capacity remained low by the end of 2023, and only 8 million smart meter installations have taken place. As a result, it appears unlikely that India will meet this goal by the end of 2025, but with the spurred investment, the goal could be met not too long after. According to the government, 99 million of the 250 million smart meter contracts had already been rewarded at the end of 2023.

10. Generative AI and IoT breakthrough: None yet

How can recent advances in gen AI, which is mostly text- or image-based, be combined with IoT data, which is mostly based on time-series sensor data? This was one of the top questions we received in 2023.

The answer is … it is complicated.

However, throughout 2023, we have seen several developments on this front, but none have reached scale just yet. Nonetheless, the following are a few initial steps in gen AI and IoT convergence that caught our attention, some of which are discussed in our Generative AI Market Report 2023–2023 (released December 2023).

a) Using national language (gen AI) to query operational data (IoT)

In June 2023, Norway-based industrial software company Cognite launched Cognite AI, a generative AI solution designed for industrial operational data. Built within Gognite Data Fusion, it is meant to enable more tailored, business-specific data retrieval and contextualization in a private, secure manner. Siemens presented a similar example in November 2023, together with Schaeffler, at the SPS fair—which we covered in our SPS 2023 report.

b) Providing guided repair or operations (gen AI) based on operational data (IoT)

In September 2023, Google’s Cloud team shared a video demonstrating their gen AI solution alerting train maintenance operators to potential train issues and proactively providing possible causes and solutions based on manuals and past issue/repair reports.

In November 2023, Microsoft announced Copilot in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Guides, a solution that combines gen AI and mixed reality to assist frontline workers in their tasks. Paired with HoloLens 2 and IoT sensors, Microsoft claims that operators can pinpoint and identify specific assets and access relevant information about them—such as operational conditions or troubleshooting guides—in real time.

c) Using generated images (gen AI) to train vision systems (IoT)

In December 2023, Germany-based engineering and technology company Bosch announced it is piloting gen AI models in manufacturing, whereby they use synthetic, gen AI-created images to develop and scale AI solutions for optical inspection and optimizing existing AI models.

d) Using natural language (gen AI) to teach and control robots with vision systems (IoT)

In February 2023, Microsoft’s Autonomous Systems and Robotics Group released a paper entitled “ChatGPT for Robotics: Design Principles and Model Abilities” (Microsoft is a major backer of ChatGPT’s parent company, OpenAI). In this paper, the research team leveraged ChatGPT’s intuitive language capabilities to control multiple robotic platforms, including arms, drones, and home assist robots. Soon after, in April 2023, Microsoft published another paper, “ChatGPT empowered long-step robot control in various environments: A case application” (last updated in August 2023), in which they demonstrate a specific example of how ChatGPT could be used to convert natural language instructions into robotic actions.

In July 2023, Germany-based AI software and robotics company Sereact announced the release of PickGPT, a gen AI transformer that combines LLMs with computer vision. By combining these capabilities, users can use simple language to instruct a robot to sense conditions or identify objects, offering many potential use cases for remote sensing and control.

Others

We also noted a startup that, in May 2023, announced a revolutionary gen AI solution that would use gen AI to produce synthetical IoT sensor data that could then be used to train AI algorithms. The company has since deleted all references to the announcement.

The post IoT 2023 in review: The 10 most relevant IoT developments of the year appeared first on IoT Business News.

Vodafone and Microsoft to transform the customer experience using Microsoft’s generative AI
Vodafone to scale its new standalone IoT business with Microsoft
Partnership will expand M-Pesa to improve financial inclusion across Africa
Vodafone to grow enterprise business with new Microsoft services for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs)
Vodafone to accelerate digital transformation and operational efficiencies in virtual data center migration to Microsoft Azure

Vodafone and Microsoft Corp. on Tuesday announced a new, far-reaching 10-year strategic partnership that leverages their respective strengths in offering scaled digital platforms to more than 300 million businesses, public sector organizations, and consumers across Europe and Africa.

Through the partnership, the companies will collaborate to transform Vodafone’s customer experience using Microsoft’s generative AI; hyperscale Vodafone’s leading managed IoT connectivity platform; develop new digital and financial services for businesses, particularly SMEs across Europe and Africa; and overhaul its global data center cloud strategy.

Vodafone will invest $1.5 billion over the next 10 years in cloud and customer-focused AI services developed in conjunction with Microsoft. Additionally, Microsoft will use Vodafone’s fixed and mobile connectivity services.

Microsoft also intends to invest in Vodafone’s managed IoT connectivity platform, which will become a separate, standalone business by April 2024. The new company will attract new partners and customers, driving growth in applications and expanding the platform to connect more devices, vehicles and machines.

The digital services generated by the new partnership will use the latest generative AI technology to provide a highly personalized and differentiated customer experience across multiple channels. They will be built on unbiased and ethical privacy and security policies under Vodafone’s established framework for responsible AI.

Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone Group chief executive, said: “Today, Vodafone has made a bold commitment to the digital future of Europe and Africa. This unique strategic partnership with Microsoft will accelerate the digital transformation of our business customers, particularly small and medium-sized companies, and step up the quality of customer experience for consumers.”

“This new generation of AI will unlock massive new opportunities for every organization and every industry around the world,” said Satya Nadella, chairman and CEO, Microsoft. “We are delighted that together with Vodafone we will apply the latest cloud and AI technology to enhance the customer experience of hundreds of millions of people and businesses across Africa and Europe, build new products and services, and accelerate the company’s transition to the cloud.”

The companies have identified five key areas of collaboration:

Generative AI: To increase customer satisfaction, the companies will apply the power of Microsoft Azure OpenAI to deliver frictionless, real-time, proactive and hyperpersonalized experiences across all Vodafone customer touchpoints, including its digital assistant TOBi (available in 13 countries). Vodafone employees will also be able to leverage the AI capabilities of Microsoft Copilot to transform working practices, boost productivity and improve digital efficiency.

Scaling IoT: Microsoft intends to invest in Vodafone’s new, standalone global Internet of Things (IoT)-managed connectivity platform, which connects 175 million devices and platforms worldwide. Vodafone also plans to become part of the Azure ecosystem making the IoT platform available to a vast developer and third-party community using open APIs.

Africa digital acceleration: Microsoft intends to help further scale M-Pesa, already the largest financial technology platform in Africa, by housing it on Azure and enabling the launch of new cloud-native applications. The companies are also launching a purpose-led program that seeks to enrich the lives of 100 million consumers and 1 million SMEs across the African continent. The goal is to enhance digital literacy, skilling and youth outreach programs, as well as offer digital services to the underserved SME market. The partnership aims to boost financial services innovation, building a community of certified developers.

Enterprise growth: Vodafone will extend its commitment to distributing Microsoft services, including Microsoft Azure, security solutions and modern work offerings such as Microsoft Teams Phone Mobile, as part of its strategy to become Europe’s leading platform for business. This enables business customers to deploy Microsoft’s cloud-based services at pace with low adoption and running costs, as well as support the estimated 24 million SMEs across Europe through the provision of a managed platform that grows with their business.

Cloud transformation: Vodafone will accelerate its cloud transformation by modernizing its data centers on Microsoft Azure. This will improve its responsiveness to customers, while simplifying and reducing the operational costs of its IT estate. As a result, Vodafone will be able to replace multiple physical data centers with virtual ones across Europe, simplifying and reducing the operational costs of its IT estate, as well as reducing energy requirements and helping deliver against its sustainable business strategy.

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CES – Quectel Wireless Solutions, today launches the Quectel FGE576Q and FGE573Q Wi-Fi 7 modules, the first in portfolio of Wi-Fi 7 modules due to be launched over the coming three months, pushing the boundaries of wireless connectivity and empowering the next generation of IoT and mobile devices.

The FGE576Q and FGE573Q represent a significant leap forward in Wi-Fi technology, harnessing the power of the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard to provide faster speeds, increased capacity, and improved efficiency. These modules are designed to meet the growing demands of diverse applications, from smart homes and industrial automation to healthcare and transportation.

“Our commitment to innovation has driven us to develop the Quectel FGE576Q and FGE573Q Wi-Fi 7 modules, addressing the evolving needs of the IoT ecosystem,” commented Norbert Muhrer, President and CSO, Quectel Wireless Solutions.

“These modules not only set a new standard for wireless shortrange connectivity but also open up new possibilities for a variety of industries.”

Wi-Fi 7 represents pivotal advancements in wireless communication technology, ushering in a new era of connectivity marked by unprecedented speed, reliability, and efficiency. The significance of Wi-Fi 7 lies in its ability to deliver dramatically higher data rates, enabling faster and more seamless transmission of large volumes of data. With lower latency and improved network reliability, Wi-Fi 7 enhances the user experience across a spectrum of applications, ranging from ultra-high-definition streaming and online gaming to emerging technologies like augmented and virtual reality.

The FGE576Q boasts an impressive data rate of up to 3.6Gbps, while the FGE573Q supports up to 2.9Gbps. Operating on dual bands simultaneously—2.4GHz + 5GHz and 2.4GHz + 6GHz— the FGE576Q offers ultra-low latency, ensuring real-time responsiveness.

In addition to dual Bluetooth integration, both modules support LE audio and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), featuring a maximum data rate of 2 Mbps and BLE Long Range capabilities. A standout feature, Multi-Link Operation (MLO), empowers routers to utilize multiple wireless bands and channels concurrently when connecting to a Wi-Fi 7 client. The inclusion of MLO in the FGE576Q and FGE573Q not only supports faster data rates but also significantly reduces latency and enhances network reliability.

The modules’ impressive data rates, minimal latency, and heightened network reliability position the FGE576Q and FGE573Q as ideal solutions for various applications, including cloud gaming, 8K A/V streaming, AR/VR, industrial IoT, and telemedicine.

Recognizing the paramount importance of security, these modules incorporate state-of-the-art features such as WPA3 encryption, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of data transmissions. Furthermore, the compact design of the Quectel FGE576Q and FGE573Q modules facilitates seamless integration into a diverse array of devices, empowering manufacturers to create sleek and efficient products.

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CES – Quectel Wireless Solutions, a global IoT solutions provider, today announces the launch of the KG200Z module, a state-of-the-art Long Range (LoRa®) technology module designed to cater to the specific needs of IoT projects demanding dependable, ultra-low power, and cost-effective, long range wireless communication.

This innovative solution offers a powerful and efficient tool for businesses and developers seeking to enhance their projects with robust wireless capabilities.

The module delivers seamless and robust connectivity for IoT devices, boasting an impressive transmission distance of 2-5 kilometers in urban settings and 10-15 kilometers in suburban areas. With a steadfast network connection, robust anti-interference capabilities, potent penetration, and dependable data transmission, this module stands as a reliable solution for businesses seeking advanced IoT connectivity.

“In an era where connectivity is the backbone of digital transformation, our innovative module will empower businesses to unlock new possibilities and drive efficiency in their IoT ecosystems,” said Norbert Muhrer, President and CSO, Quectel Wireless Solutions.

“The KG200Z LoRa module stands at the forefront of innovation, offering unparalleled performance, range, and reliability.”

The KG200Z is a cost-effective LoRa module, based on the STMicroelectronics® STM32WLEx series microcontrollers, the world first LoRa System-On-Chip platform, and designed for ultra-low power consumption and compatibility with the LoRaWAN protocol. Equipped with a built-in power management unit, power amplifier, low noise amplifier, and RF transceiver switch, the module integrates an ARM® Cortex®-M4 core with the modulations of LoRa, (G)FSK, (G)MSK and BPSK, supporting the LoRaWAN standard protocol across a wide spectrum, including the 470–510 MHz and 862–928 MHz LoRa frequency bands.

The module also boasts a range connectivity options with multiple interfaces, including UART, SPI, I2C, and SWD, catering to a wide range of applications. With an ultra-low power consumption, the KG200Z module is engineered for efficiency, boasting low power consumption to extend battery life significantly. This feature makes it an eco-friendly and cost-effective choice for IoT applications. The compact profile of 12.0 mm × 12.0 mm x 1.8mm in an LGA package ensures the module allows for easy integration into a variety of devices, providing flexibility for manufacturers and developers seeking to implement IoT solutions seamlessly.

Quectel’s IoT modules are developed with security at the core. From product architecture to firmware/software development, Quectel incorporates leading industry practices and standards, mitigating potential vulnerabilities with third party independent test houses and have incorporated security practices like generating SBOMs and VEX files as well as performing firmware binary analysis into the entire software development lifecycle.

Developed to address the specific needs of IoT applications, LoRa technology enables devices to transmit small packets of data over considerable distances with minimal power consumption. The technology is well-suited for applications such as smart locks, door sensors, gas and water leak detection, pet tracking, indoor air quality sensors, HVAC monitoring, smart parking and traffic monitoring, utility metering, waste management, air quality monitoring, as well as assets management tracking and other applications where devices need to send intermittent, low-data-rate messages over extended distances while conserving energy.

To empower customers in streamlining their design processes, Quectel provides two Sub 1GHz antennas for this module – the YEIN002AA and the YE0019AA. Both antennas support LoRa technology and are available in various formats, ensuring flexibility and compatibility for diverse project requirements.

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Wi-Fi HaLow Technology Extends the Range of Zetifi’s Connectivity Solutions for Farmers and Rural Residents, Transforming the Future of Agriculture.

Morse Micro, a leading Wi-Fi HaLow silicon vendor, and Zetifi, an innovator in last-mile connectivity for vehicles, machinery and farms, today announced a partnership to enhance Zetifi’s remote-area connectivity solutions with Wi-Fi HaLow technology.

Zetifi’s innovative technology enables farmers and other rural residents to access, extend and optimize coverage from existing radio, cellular or satellite networks, leading to reliable remote area connectivity in areas where phone coverage is otherwise unreliable or unavailable.

Zetifi’s long-range Wi-Fi coverage extension products address a major barrier to the digitalization of agriculture and are recognized as a foundational technology to unlock significant value from on-farm digital technologies in the years ahead. Morse Micro’s Wi-Fi HaLow technology will take Zetifi’s farm-wide Wi-Fi connectivity with the ZetiCell and ZetiRover to a whole new level. Zetifi’s and Morse Micro’s collaboration leverages the long-range capabilities of Wi-Fi HaLow to give more farmers than ever before the ability to embrace precision agriculture and remote monitoring and prepare for the introduction of connectivity-dependent autonomous machinery.

Dan Winson, CEO and founder of Zetifi, said:

“The Internet of Things is revolutionizing farming, and now Wi-Fi HaLow – the first version of Wi-Fi optimized for the IoT — is helping Zetifi deliver on the promise of smart, connected farming technology.”

“Our collaboration with Morse Micro is a defining moment in Zetifi’s mission to bring digital advancements to modern farming through remote-area connectivity.”

Zetifi currently offers two core products that together offer farming businesses true farm-wide Wi-Fi connectivity possibilities:

ZetiCell – a long-range Wi-Fi small cell installed on farmhouses or machinery sheds.
ZetiRover – a vehicle-mounted roaming Wi-Fi hotspot used on off-farm passenger vehicles or farm machinery.

The ZetiRover can be moved easily between vehicles and features fully integrated antennas and dual modems that enable seamless backhaul connections to multiple cellular and Wi-Fi networks. This multi-carrier functionality provides redundancy and extra coverage options to fill in more coverage gaps in remote areas. Crucially, it also enables a Wi-Fi link back to a private ZetiCell, enabling the ZetiRover to repeat Wi-Fi from a cellular or satellite ZetiCell connection up to three kilometers away.

While the ZetiRover currently uses 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi to create the vital link between the ZetiCell and ZetiRover, this link, while adequate, can easily be disrupted by natural obstacles such as trees or hilly terrain. Next-generation ZetiRover and ZetiCell products will incorporate Morse Micro’s long-range, sub-GHz Wi-Fi HaLow technology for direct connections to HaLow-enabled cameras and sensors, and to create more penetrative mesh connections between Zetifi devices.

“Zetifi’s wireless technology brings an innovative approach to rural connectivity, and we are proud to join them in the journey to transform smart farming technology with our Wi-Fi HaLow technology,” said Prakash Guda, Vice President of Marketing and Product Management at Morse Micro. “The collaboration is a crucial step in the evolution of IoT agriculture by extending the wireless range and expanding the coverage of Zetifi’s connectivity solutions for farm equipment operating in remote areas.”

Morse Micro’s comprehensive Wi-Fi HaLow portfolio includes the industry’s smallest, fastest and lowest power IEEE 802.11ah compliant SoCs. The MM6108 SoC supports 1, 2, 4 and 8 MHz bandwidth and can deliver tens of Mbps throughput to support streaming HD video. Morse Micro’s Wi-Fi HaLow SoCs provide 10x the range, 100x the coverage area and 1000x the volume of traditional Wi-Fi solutions.

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