In today’s fast-paced industrial and manufacturing sectors, safety and efficiency are paramount concerns. Companies are increasingly turning to innovative technologies to transform their workplace culture, with the Wearable Internet of Things (WIoT) taking center stage. This cutting-edge technology is not only overhauling traditional practices but also revolutionizing the way companies approach worker safety and productivity. In this article, we will delve into the ways wearable technology is currently reshaping the industrial and manufacturing landscape, explore the myriad benefits of WIoT, and shed light on the software solutions that are propelling this revolution.

A Shift in Workplace Culture

Industrial and manufacturing environments have long been associated with rigorous physical demands and safety concerns. However, as technology advances, so too does the ability to safeguard workers and improve overall efficiency. Wearable technology, in particular, has emerged as a game-changer. From smart helmets to augmented reality glasses, these devices are revolutionizing the way workers interact with their environment.

One of the most significant shifts brought about by WIoT is the move towards a more proactive approach to safety. Traditionally, safety measures were often reactive, focusing on addressing incidents after they occurred. With wearable devices, companies now have access to real-time data that enables them to identify potential hazards before they become accidents. For example, smart vests equipped with sensors can monitor environmental conditions, such as temperature and air quality, alerting workers and management to unsafe conditions instantly.

The Multifaceted Benefits of WIoT

The adoption of WIoT is not solely driven by safety concerns; it also promises a host of other benefits. One of the most compelling advantages is its ability to reduce worker fatigue. In physically demanding industries, fatigue can lead to accidents and decreased productivity. WIoT devices can monitor a worker’s biometrics, such as heart rate and body temperature, in real-time. When fatigue is detected, alerts can be sent to both the worker and their supervisor, prompting necessary breaks or adjustments to tasks.

Furthermore, WIoT is facilitating the digital transformation of facilities. These devices are no longer just tools for monitoring workers; they are becoming integral components of interconnected systems that optimize operations. For instance, by equipping machinery with IoT sensors, it becomes possible to track equipment performance, anticipate maintenance needs, and reduce downtime. This seamless integration of WIoT technology results in cost savings and improved efficiency.

Enhancing Body Mechanics with Wearable Devices

The realm of body mechanics in the workplace is also being revolutionized by WIoT. Wearable devices, such as exoskeletons and wearable sensors, are designed to support workers and help them maintain correct postures and motions. These devices are equipped with sensors that can provide real-time feedback to workers, guiding them to adopt ergonomic positions that reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.

Additionally, the data and understanding collected by these wearable devices is a goldmine of information. To harness this potential, companies are turning to sophisticated software solutions. These solutions aggregate data from various wearable devices and integrate it into a centralized platform. This allows for comprehensive analysis and insights that were previously unattainable.

For example, advanced analytics can identify patterns of movement and posture that may lead to injuries over time. By utilizing this data, companies can implement targeted training programs to improve worker ergonomics and reduce the risk of chronic injuries. Furthermore, the data can be used to engineer workflows, optimize the allocation of tasks and resources for maximum efficiency.

The Power of Integration

Integration is key to unlocking the full potential of WIoT. By consolidating data from wearable devices into a single platform, companies can achieve a holistic view of their operations. This data-driven approach enables predictive maintenance, real-time safety monitoring, and workflow optimization, all within one cohesive system.

Moreover, the benefits of WIoT extend beyond the factory floor. Office-based employees can also benefit from wearable technology, as it can monitor posture and sedentary behavior, promoting better health and well-being. For instance, smart wristbands can remind office workers to take breaks, stretch, or adjust their sitting positions, reducing the risk of long-term health issues.

Embracing Innovation: WIoT’s Role in Shaping Tomorrow’s Workplace

The Wearable Internet of Things is ushering in a new era of workplace culture, where safety, efficiency, and worker well-being take center stage. Companies that embrace WIoT are not only reducing the risk of injuries but also driving digital transformation, reducing worker fatigue, and optimizing operations. With the integration of advanced software solutions, the potential for improvement is boundless.

As more companies recognize the transformative power of WIoT, it is clear that this technology is here to stay. It is no longer a matter of if, but when, organizations will adopt WIoT to enhance worker safety and productivity. The future of industrial and manufacturing workplaces is being shaped by wearable technology, and those who embrace it are poised to lead the way in the evolving landscape of worker safety and efficiency.

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The Internet of Things (IoT) has ushered in a new era of connectivity, and its impact is profoundly felt in the world of wearables. Smart wearable devices, from smartwatches and fitness trackers to augmented reality glasses, have become integral to our daily lives. In this article, we will explore the pivotal role of IoT in wearables, its key applications, benefits, challenges, and the exciting future it holds for personal technology.

The IoT Revolution in Wearables

Wearable technology has evolved beyond mere timekeeping or fitness tracking. Smart wearables have become powerful, connected devices capable of collecting and transmitting a wide range of data. IoT is at the heart of this transformation, enabling these devices to communicate with other systems and users.

Key Applications of IoT in Wearables

1. Health and Fitness Tracking

Wearable fitness trackers and smartwatches equipped with IoT technology can monitor a variety of health metrics, including heart rate, steps taken, sleep patterns, and more. These devices often sync with smartphone apps to provide users with real-time insights into their well-being and fitness progress.

2. Location and Navigation

GPS-enabled wearables, such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, can provide accurate location and navigation data. This is especially valuable for outdoor activities, runners, cyclists, and hikers.

3. Augmented Reality (AR)

AR glasses are wearable devices that overlay digital information on the user’s field of view, enhancing their perception of the physical world. IoT connectivity in AR glasses can deliver real-time data and interactions, making these devices more powerful and interactive.

4. Communication

Smartwatches and similar wearables enable users to make calls, send texts, and receive notifications, keeping them connected without needing to pull out their smartphones.

5. Environmental and Biometric Sensors

IoT wearables often include sensors that measure environmental factors, like temperature and air quality, as well as biometric data such as body temperature and stress levels. This data can be used for health monitoring and wellness management.

6. Location-Based Services

IoT in wearables allows for location-based services such as geofencing and location-sharing. Users can set up alerts when they enter or leave specific areas or share their location with family and friends.

7. Payments and Transactions

Many wearables, including smartwatches and fitness trackers, support contactless payments. These devices can be used to make purchases, access public transportation, and more, simplifying daily transactions.

8. Work and Productivity

IoT-powered smart glasses are finding applications in various industries. They can provide real-time information, instructions, and data visualization for workers in fields like manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics.

Benefits of IoT in Wearables

The integration of IoT in wearables offers numerous advantages:

1. Health and Wellness

Wearable devices with IoT capabilities empower individuals to take control of their health and fitness. They can monitor key metrics, track progress, and receive personalized recommendations for a healthier lifestyle.

2. Convenience

Wearables make it easier to access information and services without having to pull out a smartphone or other device. This convenience is especially valuable in situations where using a larger device would be impractical.

3. Safety and Security

Location-based services and emergency features in wearables enhance user safety and security. IoT connectivity allows wearables to transmit critical information in emergency situations.

4. Enhanced Communication

Wearables enable seamless communication, reducing the need to constantly check a smartphone. They allow users to stay connected while keeping their hands and attention free.

5. Improved Productivity

IoT-powered wearables in the workplace streamline tasks and enhance productivity. Workers can access vital information and instructions without having to consult manuals or look at screens.

6. Real-Time Data

Wearables equipped with IoT technology provide real-time data, which can be especially valuable in sports and fitness, healthcare, and various professional fields.

Challenges and Considerations

While IoT in wearables offers numerous benefits, it also poses challenges and considerations:

1. Data Security and Privacy

Collecting and transmitting personal data via wearables raise concerns about data security and privacy. Robust security measures are necessary to protect user information.

2. Battery Life

IoT wearables often require a constant connection to the internet or other devices, which can put a strain on battery life. Extended battery life remains a challenge for manufacturers.

3. Compatibility

IoT devices must be compatible and standardized to ensure seamless data exchange and integration. Common protocols and standards are essential for achieving this.

4. Data Accuracy

The accuracy and reliability of data collected by wearables are paramount, especially in healthcare and fitness applications. Ensuring that the data is precise and reliable is critical.

5. Ethical Considerations

Wearables can raise ethical concerns, particularly in terms of data collection and sharing. Users and manufacturers must consider the ethical implications of wearable technology.

The Future of IoT in Wearables

As technology continues to advance, the future of IoT in wearables looks promising. Here are some trends and developments to watch for:

1. Enhanced AI Integration

IoT and artificial intelligence (AI) will work together to provide more intelligent wearables that can analyze and provide insights into user data.

2. Extended Battery Life

Improvements in battery technology will extend the battery life of wearables, reducing the need for frequent charging.

3. Enhanced Connectivity

Wearables will become even more connected and integrated with other devices and services, offering a seamless user experience.

4. Health Monitoring Advancements

Health-focused wearables will provide more advanced monitoring and diagnostic capabilities, leading to better healthcare outcomes.

5. Personalization

Wearables will become increasingly personalized, adapting to user preferences and individual needs.

Conclusion

The Internet of Things is transforming wearables into powerful, connected devices that enhance health, convenience, communication, and productivity. Challenges related to data security, battery life, and compatibility must be addressed to ensure that the benefits of IoT in wearables are fully realized.

As IoT technology continues to evolve, it will remain a driving force in wearables, offering a glimpse into a future where these devices become even more integral to our daily lives, providing insights and convenience that we cannot imagine living without.

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The Internet of Things (IoT) is reshaping the way we live, work, and interact with our environment. With IoT, everyday objects and devices are connected to the internet, creating a network of smart devices that can communicate and perform tasks autonomously. In this article, we’ll explore the world of IoT for consumer applications, including its key uses, benefits, challenges, and the exciting future it holds for consumers.

The IoT Revolution in Consumer Applications

IoT technology has made its way into our homes, our cars, and even our wearables, creating a new era of convenience, efficiency, and connectivity. The use of IoT in consumer applications encompasses a wide range of devices and services that aim to simplify and enhance our daily lives.

Key Applications of IoT in Consumer Devices

1. Smart Home Devices

Smart home devices are perhaps the most recognizable application of IoT for consumers. These include smart thermostats, lighting systems, security cameras, and voice-activated assistants like Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant. Smart home devices allow users to control and automate various aspects of their home environment, from adjusting the temperature to turning on lights with a voice command.

2. Wearable Technology

Wearable devices, such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, are equipped with sensors that monitor health metrics like heart rate, steps taken, and sleep patterns. They connect to smartphone apps to provide users with real-time insights into their well-being and fitness goals.

3. Smart Appliances

IoT is transforming household appliances into smart devices. Smart refrigerators can keep track of food inventory and suggest recipes based on available ingredients. Smart washing machines can be controlled remotely, and they can even reorder detergent when supplies run low.

4. Connected Cars

Connected cars utilize IoT technology to provide a range of features, from real-time navigation and traffic updates to vehicle diagnostics and predictive maintenance. These features enhance the driving experience and improve vehicle safety.

5. Health and Medical Devices

IoT has revolutionized the healthcare industry by enabling remote patient monitoring. Devices like insulin pumps and pacemakers can transmit data to healthcare providers, allowing for timely intervention and better patient care.

6. Personal Assistants

Smart personal assistants, like Amazon’s Echo and Google Home, offer voice-activated services that provide information, control smart home devices, and perform tasks like setting alarms and providing weather updates.

7. Smart Luggage and Travel Gadgets

Smart luggage with built-in IoT features, such as location tracking and digital locks, make travel more convenient and secure. Additionally, IoT-powered travel gadgets can help travelers find local attractions and navigate foreign cities.

8. Smart Gardening

IoT technology can assist in gardening and plant care. Smart gardening devices can monitor soil moisture, sunlight, and temperature to help users maintain healthy plants and gardens.

Benefits of IoT in Consumer Applications

The integration of IoT in consumer devices offers numerous advantages:

1. Convenience

IoT devices simplify daily tasks and enhance convenience. Users can control their environment, receive timely information, and automate routines.

2. Improved Health and Fitness

Wearable technology and health devices empower individuals to monitor their well-being, track fitness goals, and make informed health decisions.

3. Energy Efficiency

Smart home devices and appliances help reduce energy consumption, contributing to both cost savings and environmental sustainability.

4. Enhanced Safety and Security

IoT-based security systems offer real-time monitoring and alerts, while connected cars enhance road safety and provide vehicle security features.

5. Personalization

IoT devices learn user preferences and adapt to individual needs, creating a personalized experience.

6. Time Savings

Automated tasks and voice-activated commands save time and make daily routines more efficient.

7. Greater Connectivity

IoT devices keep users connected to the internet and each other, making it easy to stay in touch and access information.

Challenges and Considerations

While IoT in consumer applications offers numerous benefits, it also poses challenges and considerations:

1. Data Security and Privacy

The collection and transmission of personal data raise concerns about data security and privacy. Users must ensure that their data is protected and used responsibly.

2. Interoperability

IoT devices and systems must be compatible and standardized to ensure seamless data exchange and integration. Common protocols and standards are essential for achieving this.

3. Reliability

The performance and reliability of IoT devices can be a concern. Devices must work consistently to maintain user trust.

4. Cost of Implementation

The initial cost of implementing IoT in consumer applications can be a barrier for some users. An assessment of the return on investment is necessary to justify the expense.

5. Workforce Training

The successful adoption of IoT in consumer applications often requires workforce training and a cultural shift within households and businesses.

The Future of IoT in Consumer Applications

As technology continues to advance, the future of IoT in consumer applications looks promising. Here are some trends and developments to watch for:

1. Enhanced Artificial Intelligence (AI)

IoT and AI will work hand in hand to analyze vast amounts of data, offering insights and automating routine tasks.

2. Interconnectivity

IoT devices will become more interconnected, with seamless communication between devices and systems, creating a more unified experience.

3. Voice and Gesture Control

IoT devices will be controlled through advanced voice and gesture recognition, making interaction more intuitive and natural.

4. Edge Computing

Edge computing will enable more data processing closer to the source, reducing latency and ensuring real-time responsiveness.

5. Sustainability

IoT devices will continue to contribute to sustainability by optimizing energy consumption, reducing waste, and promoting eco-friendly practices.

Conclusion

The Internet of Things is reshaping the way we live our daily lives, making them more convenient, efficient, and connected. Challenges related to data security, interoperability, and cost must be addressed to ensure that the benefits of IoT in consumer applications are fully realized.

As IoT technology continues to evolve, it will remain a driving force in consumer devices and services, offering a glimpse into a future where daily tasks are automated, environments are more personalized, and access to information and services is seamless and convenient.

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Quectel Wireless Solutions, a global IoT solutions provider, today launches its new generation flagship Android smart module, the SG885G-WF.

With high performance and rich media functions, the smart module is ideal for industrial and consumer applications that require high processing power and multimedia functions.

The module is powered by the Qualcomm® QCS8550 System-on-Chip (SoC) for IoT from Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., delivering an impressive combination of flexibility and performance. It supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, and incorporates 2×2 Wi-Fi MIMO technology, providing users with enhanced connectivity options.

“Qualcomm Technologies is proud to collaborate with Quectel on their SG885G-WF to bring high performance connectivity solutions to consumers,” stated Dev Singh, Vice President, Business Development, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “Utilizing Quectel’s extensive infrastructure of cellular modules, the SG855G-WF exemplifies the necessary capabilities needed to adapt to tomorrow’s technology in IoT and beyond.”

With computing power of up to 48 TOPS, the module offers robust video capabilities, including video encoding at 4K at 120 fps or 8K at 30 fps, as well as video decoding at 4K at 240 fps or 8K at 60 fps. This ensures smooth and high-quality video processing for various applications.

Measuring 49.0mm x 51.0mm x 4.25mm, the SG885G-WF is suitable for global deployments and offers 12 GB LPDDR5X plus 256GB UFS memory. In addition, the module offers a rich set of interfaces that include LCM, camera, I2S, PCIe, UART, USB, I2C and SPI. These, in addition to adoption of the Android operating system, extend the module’s applicability to wide range of IoT and M2M applications including videoconferencing systems, live streaming devices, gaming, computing, robots, drones, AR/VR, intelligent retail and safety.

Quectel provides a range of high-performance antennas that greatly enhance wireless connectivity, aiming to assist customers in streamlining their design processes. By combining Quectel’s antennas with the SG885G-WF Android Smart module, IoT developers can effectively reduce both time-to-market and costs associated with their IoT devices.

Moreover, the module offers the advantage of seamless integration with Quectel’s range of cellular modules, enhancing connectivity, flexibility, and integration possibilities even further.

“We’re proud to launch our new flagship Android smart module with the new generation Quectel SG885G-WF,” said Norbert Muhrer, President and CSO, Quectel Wireless Solutions.

“The powerful Qualcomm chipset along with support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 and 2×2 MIMO technology provides customers with a powerful module that offers connectivity choice and a wide variety of interfaces. As IoT matures, the ability to enable applications that need high processing power for AI and multimedia functions has become essential and the SG885G-WF has been designed to meet these needs.”

The Quectel SG885G-WF also offers three high-current flash LED drivers which support both flash and torch modes in addition to charging management capability which supports battery voltage detection, fuel gauge and battery temperature detection. Audio interfaces include SWR, digital microphone, MI2S and HIFI I2S.

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In the current era of radical and accelerated technological advancements, the Internet of Things (IoT) is an undeniably transformative force, notably within the area of consumer electronics. With a value of nearly $1.2 trillion by 2028, according to Statista, this global industry is the pulsing heart of an ongoing technological revolution. IoT plays a pivotal role in this dynamic industry and the changes it creates in human lives and daily experiences.

Examining the Consumer Electronics Landscape

Today’s consumer electronics landscape is vast and diverse, encompassing sectors such as TV, Radio & Multimedia, Telephony, Computing, Gaming Equipment, and Drones. Each is experiencing a dynamic transformation to meet continuously growing and shifting consumer tastes and demands. Thanks to the global surge in smartphone sales, the Telephony segment claims the lion’s share of the market. Interestingly, the smallest segment, Drones, reveals the significant disparity in size across the market’s many segments.

Impacting the Consumer Electronics Market through IoT

At the forefront of the industry’s growth is IoT. This branch of technology has crept into every facet of consumer electronics, becoming an integral part of our daily lives. According to Market Research Future, the consumer electronics segment within the IoT market will balloon to an impressive $172 billion by 2030. This remarkable growth will likely result from increased disposable incomes, a growing demand for luxury and convenience to enhance lifestyles, and the widespread adoption of voice assistants and other smart home technologies.

Revolution Robotics: A Case Study in Democratizing Robotics Education

Among the many applications of IoT in consumer electronics, a case in point is the work of Revolution Robotics, a U.S. tech startup. This forward-thinking enterprise sought to democratize robotics education by creating an affordable yet fully functional programmable robot kit. To actualize their vision, they collaborated with Softeq to create an electronic kit that empowered children to assemble, program, and remotely control robots using a smartphone.

The kit included an open-source hardware design, more than 530 plastic parts, a library of 3D printable parts, and firmware. However, the journey to create this pioneering solution was not without challenges.

Smartphone-Controlled Robots: The Power of IoT and Custom Firmware

The crux of Revolution Robotics’ solution was the smartphone-controlled operation of the robots. This smartphone-driven interface was possible because of innovative firmware solutions that enable smartphones to program the robot’s logic and command its actions. The robot’s construction involves linking the robot’s central processing unit to a smartphone using BLE technology and affixing an array of sensors, motors, and assorted plastic components to the robot’s framework. Users can then program the robot’s logic, executing a preprogrammed algorithm or following commands from the smartphone.

The firmware, developed by Softeq, served as the conduit between the smartphone and the robot. This custom firmware facilitated the integration of intricate sensors and motors, and its design fostered scalability, enabling the on-demand addition and programming of extra features.

Maintaining Affordability While Maximizing Functionality

The goal of affordability was a cornerstone of this project. Maintaining cost-effectiveness was not just a goal; it was a central requirement. Through careful planning and iterative development, Softeq optimized the costs of the various plastic parts and electronics without compromising the robot’s functionality.

This collaboration resulted in a groundbreaking product: an affordable, programmable robot kit with the same functionality as its pricier counterparts. It was a shining testament to the potential of IoT, demonstrating how this technology could transform the educational sector by making learning experiences more engaging and interactive without limiting access through prohibitive pricing.

Harnessing Data and AI in IoT

When it comes to IoT, the significant volume of data generated by connected devices is both a challenge and an opportunity. When harnessed correctly using AI and Machine Learning, this data can yield valuable insights, leading to more informed decision-making and increased innovation. Companies are already leveraging this to fine-tune their product performance, anticipate user needs, and troubleshoot issues even before they occur. Therefore, IoT isn’t just about connectivity; it’s about making intelligent use of the data connectivity generates. For businesses, understanding the relationship between IoT, AI, and data analytics is key to realizing their full potential.

Enhancing Customer Experience through IoT

IoT transforms the consumer electronics landscape by offering a degree of personalization and interactivity that was previously inconceivable. Connected devices now adapt to user behaviors, offering custom experiences that enhance user satisfaction. For instance, smart TVs curate content based on viewing habits, and IoT-enabled thermostats learn from daily routines to optimize home temperature settings. This focus on user-centric design, powered by IoT, significantly enhances customer experience and is an area decision-makers should not overlook while planning IoT integrations.

Market Dynamics and the Future of IoT

Though IoT continues to revolutionize the consumer electronics industry, challenges persist. IoT security concerns, the lack of standardization, and increasing data privacy risks present potential impediments to growth. However, with market opportunities such as government support for IoT research and development, improvements in 5G connectivity, and the inevitable digitalization of numerous consumer applications, the future of IoT in consumer electronics appears promising.

The transformative power of IoT is undeniable. Its potential to create interconnected ecosystems of devices, enabling enhanced convenience and usability for consumers, is driving the industry forward. IoT redefines the consumer electronics landscape with technological advancements, shifting consumer preferences, and increased connectivity. As the industry continues leveraging IoT for growth and innovation, the future promises opportunities we can scarcely imagine.

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During MWC Shanghai 2023, Fibocom introduces the cutting-edge 5G FWA solution embedded with 3GPP Release 17 compliant modules FG190 and FG180, with the advanced and scalable configurations, the solution ensures the smooth escalation of 5G FWA applications towards 10 Gigabits era, especially crucial for CPE and mobile hot-spot use cases.

Fibocom, a global leading provider of IoT (Internet of Things) wireless solutions and wireless communication modules, introduces the pioneering 5G FWA solution based on the latest generation 5G modules FG190 and FG180 at MWC Shanghai 2023.

The solution offers a wide range of flexible configurations and multiple enhancements to CPE and mobile hot-spot customers, significantly reducing the complexity to deploy advanced 5G solutions and accelerate the time to market.

As 5G technology has improved, mobile broadband service providers are no longer limited to older technologies, mobile data subscriptions associated with mobile phones, dongles or even hot-spot devices are looking for agile and high data throughput network connectivity solutions. The cutting-edge 5G FWA solution specialized in CPE and mobile hot-spot use cases, embedded with Fibocom’s latest generation 5G Sub-6GHz and mmWave modules FG190 and FG180. The 5G CPE solution is architected with a set of rich interfaces plus flexible dual-band/tri-band Wi-Fi 7 combinations. For example, an FG190 can simultaneously connect three PCIe and two USXGMII ports, in addition to the Wi-Fi 7 selections, CPE customers can adjust the combinations between QFW7114 and QFW7124 to utilize the band capacity from maximum BE21000 to BE5000. Regarding the wired configurations, either the 10GbE+2.5GbE or 2.5GbE+2.5GbE could be the most recommendable and efficient options to unleash the full potential of cable access.

However, the solution for 5G mobile hot spot offers a range of top-quality wireless performance to mobile scenarios. In the support of a highly integrated WCN7851 chip, the multi-channel options will be utilized efficiently to increase the data rate, depending on the requirements, the dual-band options can be switched to 2.4GHz/5GHz/6GHz to achieve maximum throughput up to BE5800. The seamless Wi-Fi 7 connectivity is also benefiting from the contribution of MLO (Multi-Link Operation) and 4K QAM modulation schemes, offering a highly reliable connectivity service, especially in congested environments like airport terminals, sports venues, and hospitals, etc.

In software design, Fibocom’s cutting-edge 5G FWA solution embedded with FG190 and FG180 is loaded with OpenWRT, which allows maximum customization for CPE and mobile hot-spot customers.

Powered by the Snapdragon® X75 and X72 5G Modem-RF System, Fibocom FG190 and FG180 is compliant with 3GPP Release 17 and equipped with a quad-core A55 CPU to enable a lightning-fast and ultra-reliable 5G network experience. With Snapdragon® X75, Fibocom FG190 supports 5G Sub-6GHz and mmWave dual-connectivity, thus capable of NR 10CA with up to 1000MHz bandwidth in the mmWave spectrum, and NR 5CA with up to 300MHz bandwidth in the Sub-6GHz, significantly elevating the maximum downlink speed to 10Gbps. Followed by the FG180, the module integrated with Snapdragon® X72, offers an agile solution for various 5G FWA customers by supporting up to 400MHz bandwidth of NR 4CA under mmwave bands, and 200MHz bandwidth of NR 3CA under Sub-6GHz. Both FG190 and FG180 are adopting LGA form factors, therefore making both modules the ideal wireless solution for a diversified FWA market.

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Lithuanian high-tech company group Teltonika has launched the production of TeltoHeart, a multifunctional smart medical wristband designed to help people with heart rhythm problems.

According to the creators of the innovative device, it is a unique gadget globally in terms of its technical capabilities.

The idea to produce such a device came to Arvydas Paukštys, the founder of IoT company Teltonika, about three years ago when he read an article in the media about the fact that Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) scientists, together with representatives of Vilnius University, had developed a highly accurate algorithm for detecting atrial fibrillation. Teltonika agreed with KTU and VU to license this unique and patented technology, but this was just the beginning of a long road.

The project was undertaken by a team of more than 15 people from Teltonika Telemedic, founded at the height of the pandemic. To create a working product, the first step was to implement the algorithm, set up the software, create the design of the wristband and certificate the product. After many days spent perfecting the functions of TeltoHeart, Teltonika launched the mass production of this medical wristband in Lithuania. The first products will go to foreign markets such as India, Cyprus, Spain and Peru, and some of them will stay in Lithuania, where several private medical institutions have already expressed their interest in testing these medical wristbands.

“Around 1 billion people globally suffer from various heart rhythm disorders. Such ailments can be treated most effectively if diagnosed in time, and smart devices are already helping. We have developed a medical-grade smart wristband that can automatically detect atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias, such as when the pulse suddenly drops or rises more than normal. If the wristband detects an arrhythmia, or if the person feels unwell, or if the pulse slows down or rises more than normal, they are advised to record a six-derivative electrocardiogram, which allows the doctor to make a diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment. Considering the technical capabilities of this wristband, we believe that it is a medical device that is unique and exceptional in the world,” says Martynas Osauskas, CEO of Teltonika Telemedic.

Teltonika Telemedic offers a complete telemedicine ecosystem called MyHealth, which consists of the TeltoHeart wristband, a data-collecting app for mobile devices and the TeltoCare platform for doctors to monitor patients’ data, for more efficient work in medical institutions.

“Heart rate monitoring needs to be carried out over a long period, but until now, the devices offered for this purpose have been either very inconvenient or expensive. The smart medical wristband developed by Teltonika is efficient, functional and comfortable to wear for long-term heart rate monitoring. In addition, the ecosystem of telemedicine devices that will be developed in the future will help to address more persistent problems in the healthcare system. For example, doctors will be able to serve more patients with the ability to analyse data remotely. And by diagnosing diseases at an early stage, treatment costs and hospital workload can be reduced,” M. Osauskas predicts.

It is planned that the TeltoHeart smart medical wristband will also be available for personal use from sales partners or medical institutions.

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By Harnessing IoT and Energy Absorption Technology, babyark is Setting a New Standard in Car Seat Safety.

babyark, a tech company reimagining child safety, announced today the launch of the babyark convertible car seat at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

The car seat introduces a holistic approach to safety, focusing on both the materials it is made of and the technology that has been added to it. Developed by Shy Mindel, an aeronautical engineer turned parent, the seat is introducing a new standard of safety for children.

“I was surprised to learn that the most important people in our lives, our children, sit in safety seats primarily made out of plastic and Styrofoam,” said Shy Mindel, CEO of babyark. “While safety features for adults in vehicles have evolved dramatically over the past 10 years, child passenger safety technology has remained stagnant. babyark is approaching safety through the hardware, the actual seat, and the software, including the safety sensors that communicate with the app. The result is a car seat that takes a holistic approach to safety.”

Made of anticrash materials, the babyark energy absorption technology is built around a high strength steel SafeCoil shock-absorbing system that gently slows the seat’s forward momentum during a crash. Carbon fiber and D3O, the world’s most technologically-advanced impact absorbing polymer tested in extreme military applications, complement the babyark suite of safety solutions. In addition to top materials, the baybark smart seat uses IoT technology to supply caregivers with real time indications regarding child passenger safety at all times. With 14 sensors embedded in the base of the seat, it alerts the driver via the personal babyark app if the seat is installed correctly, if the child is buckled or if the child is forgotten in the vehicle. The app then provides instructions on how to ensure that everything is correct, giving caregivers the peace of mind that their child is safely in their seat on each and every drive. The app is available on Android and iOS.

“Car seats are a major source of anxiety for parents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 59% of car seats are installed incorrectly,” said Yifat Ryce, Chief Marketing Officer of babyark and licensed CPST.

“Safety starts with installation, and the babyark app uses technology to simplify everything possible for caregivers, enabling them to do it right the first time and every time.”

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Sequans Communications S.A. announced that Infrafon is using its Monarch cellular IoT technology to connect its award-winning Infrafon CC1 Smart Badge, an intelligent name tag introduced earlier this year at Mobile World Congress.

The Infrafon CC1 Smart Badge is a computerized name tag with smartphone functions that are fully controlled in the cloud. It can be worn as a wearable on clothing where it can ensure visual identification of the wearer through its e-paper display, and can contain a wide variety of desired information, including personalized credentials, appointment details, healthcare data, geofencing parameters, NFC credentials, and more. Sequans’ Monarch 2 GM02S LTE-M/NB-IoT module provides the cellular IoT connectivity that enables the Infrafon Smart Badge to remain always connected via the highly reliable LTE-M cellular network.

Louis Chuang, EVP of Sequans’ Massive IoT Business Unit, said:

“The Infrafon Smart Badge is a truly innovative personal communication system with a multitude of uses, for example, in healthcare and workplace safety.”

“It can perform all of the advanced smartphone functions you can imagine, but without the need of a smartphone, making it one of the most interesting IoT connected devices we’ve seen this year.”

“We selected Sequans’ Monarch module to connect our Smart Badge because it is the most advanced cellular IoT connectivity solution available today, with unmatched low power consumption, highly secure iSIM, and proven reliability,” said Frieder Hanson, Infrafon founder and CEO. “The ultra-low power consumption of Monarch allows the Smart Badge to run for many days without user intervention, making it extremely simple to use, which was one of our most important design goals.”

The Infrafon CCI is a tiny CC1 smart badge device that weighs only 50g, close to credit card size, and is equipped with a high res 600×480 pixel interactive e-paper screen. All familiar smartphone functions can be managed remotely OTA and centrally by the operator. The device user can interact with multiple DataView tasks or can answer questions. Device users have no access to the device´s functional setup details. This Infrafon design principle provides stability and efficiency to the operator´s processes.

Infrafon is using Sequans’ second-generation LTE-M/NB-IoT module, Monarch 2 GM02S, that delivers ultra-low power consumption and a very high level of security. Monarch 2 GM02S is the world’s only cellular IoT module supporting an EAL5+ secure enclave for integrated SIM (ieUICC) capability that is compliant with GSMA standards. The module also supports a single rail power supply starting at 2.2 V, the lowest level in the industry, allowing for better efficiency of the internal power management unit, further reducing power consumption, and lowering battery and BOM costs.

The post Infrafon Smart Badge Connected by Sequans’ Monarch Technology appeared first on IoT Business News.

World’s first* 3D-molded, full-carbon chassis VAIO® Z premium notebooks feature the Telit 5G FN98x module series for 5G connectivity.

Telit, a global enabler of the Internet of Things (IoT), today announced that VAIO is using the Telit FN98x 5G module series in its new flagship Z model premium notebook series.

Featuring the world’s first* 3D-molded, carbon fiber laptop using unidirectional carbon fiber, the Z series showcases the latest collaboration between Telit and VAIO to bring embedded mobile broadband with global connectivity to professional-grade notebooks.

VAIO Z notebooks employ 3D-molded carbon fiber, which is also used for high-end cars such as those in automobile races, to achieve a weight just under 2.3 lbs., while maximizing durability. A high-performance 2-megapixel camera on top of the display makes it possible to shoot in full HD, improving the image quality of web conferences. The notebooks also feature VAIO unique technology, VAIO® TruePerformance, and 11th Gen Intel® Core H35 series processors that together deliver performance only found in desktop PCs for the most demanding applications.

The FN98x series supports VAIO’s global strategy to provide the best-in-class notebooks with the latest, highest-quality and most reliable mobility solutions. VAIO Z for the Japan market is equipped with the FN98x series. VAIO Z can connect to a 5G network with its 5G networking feature delivered in Sub-6 GHz bands. The FN98x series provides seamless fallback to LTE Category 20 operation where 5G is not yet available depending on carrier’s network operation. LTE Cat 20 can deliver up to 2 Gbps download and 211 Mbps upload speeds, well inside the expected 5G experience.

“We are pleased to adopt Telit’s latest FN98x 5G module series for our Flagship VAIO Z, featuring the world’s first* contoured carbon fiber design,” said Kaoru Hayashi, Director, Senior Vice President, VAIO Corporation. “With its technology, we are happy to deliver an outstanding mobile connectivity experience, with high-speed, large capacity, low latency, network access to our customers. We look forward to continuing to work deeply with Telit to satisfy customers with the latest and greatest mobile connectivity experience.”

“An ultra-light, ultra-fast, state-of-the-art notebook deservers ultra-fast connectivity,” said Carlos Perez, President Sales, Telit.

“The Telit FN98x 5G series ensures that VAIO Z owners always have access to the world’s fastest mobile networks. The VAIO Z also highlights our longstanding relationship with VAIO, which began using our modules in 2017 to provide its S series notebooks with market-differentiating LTE-Advanced connectivity.”

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ROOQ Boxing technology delivers sophisticated performance data via sensors, app and online portal.

Global technology solutions provider Arrow Electronics and ROOQ, an innovator in sports measurement and analytics technology, have teamed up to create the ROOQ BOX, a sensor technology that enables boxers to monitor and review their performance using data that was previously only available under laboratory conditions.

ROOQ BOX comprises a pair of sensors worn within a strap on each wrist. The sensors record the movements made during boxing activity. The data is then analysed in the accompanying ROOQ App and cloud using machine learning algorithms to provide a precise record of the session. Using this information, boxers and trainers can create a detailed picture of the training session including punch count, punch speeds, variability and punch force. The algorithm has been trained to identify eight different types of punches and to automatically categorize these while filtering out non-boxing specific motions.

The data delivered by the sensor technology, which was inaccessible to athletes until now, provides an invaluable tool to help boxers monitor and improve their performance. This information can be shared with their coaches. In developing the system, ROOQ has drawn on a wide range of experience from within its team including data, software, hardware and firmware specialists, sports scientists and mathematicians as well as boxers and coaches. This experience reaches to the highest level: ROOQ’s chief sports officer, Henry Maske, is an Olympic boxing champion (gold medal, Seoul 1988) and professional world champion (1993 to 1996).

Arrow has been instrumental in leading the project in the firmware and hardware area between the suppliers of components, development and manufacturing services. Also, Arrow’s eInfochips engineering services were utilized in the project. Arrow has used its logistical and supply chain expertise to enable the product to be brought to market, and production scaled, in a smooth and efficient manner.

“This successful collaboration with ROOQ is a perfect example of how expert teams join forces and overcome difficult entrepreneurial challenges together,” emphasised Martin Bielesch, president of Arrow’s components business in EMEA. “Arrow’s technical and logistical services enabled ROOQ to focus and execute on its leading competencies in delivering a completely new way of capturing diagnostic data in boxing.”

Henry Maske sees many advantages in the cooperation between the two companies: “Arrow is a reliable and solution-oriented partner for us. We benefit from their immense experience as well as from their excellent global network.”

Boxing is just the beginning. The training diagnostics technology is universally applicable. Ralf Rüttgers, founder and CEO at ROOQ, is convinced that the application areas of ROOQ are manifold.

He commented:

“Further development and transfer to the fitness market and other related sports, as well as use in the industrial sector, are all possible. Areas such as prevention, safety and health, will play a role in our future training analysis.”

The post Arrow Electronics and ROOQ team to innovate sports tracking appeared first on IoT Business News.

Enabling a reduction of travel by 75% with RealWear device running Microsoft Teams by its Façade Team, the construction leader plans to deploy more than 150 devices over the next few months.

RealWear, Inc., the global leader of hands-free head-mounted wearables, today announced that Mace Group (‘Mace’), a global consultancy and construction firm headquartered in London, deployed RealWear’s assisted reality wearable computers running voice-enabled Microsoft Teams, paving the way forward for the global construction industry.

Throughout this global pandemic, the voice-activated RealWear HMT-1 wearable device has enabled hundreds of its workers and clients to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and reduce its carbon footprint via using the device for remote inspections during the construction process. The wearable deployment marks a first for the construction industry.

Mace works on a number of construction projects both in the UK and across the globe. When the pandemic hit and travel restrictions came into effect, Mace envisioned an entirely new and safer way to inspect building façades. To operate as effectively and as safely as possible under seemingly indefinite social distancing restrictions, it needed a solution that would enable inspection work to still be carried out but with minimal people onsite than normally permitted.

RealWear’s assisted reality head-mounted wearable computers require only a single site inspector to be physically present, while multiple others ‘view’ the site clearly and remotely from their own location, via a feed that streams from the innovative headset directly to the viewer’s handheld or laptop computer.

The technology negates the need to physically travel to a site, while also delivering on Mace’s requirement for its workforce to be fully connected through remote collaboration. Furthermore, the deployment has banished the logistical and planning complexities of trying to coordinate the diaries of several site inspectors to be present at the same time on the same day. Since the completion of the deployment this month Mace has been able to reduce in-person site visits, and its Façade team has seen a 75% reduction in travel; not only has this resulted in a reduction in carbon emissions, but the time saved has freed up staff to be more productive during the course of their day.

“With its willingness to embrace the future, it’s appropriate that Mace is at the head of the curve within the construction industry with respect to deploying wearable technology,” commented Phil Sedge, Head of Facade, Mace Group.

“Since the deployment, we have seen improvements in the decision-making process, and we’re able to share real-time information instantaneously. The technology has enabled us to reduce the number of staff travelling to site, without any compromises to the quality of our work. The time saving and environmental benefits deliver further advantages.”

He added: “RealWear’s reinvestment back into product development has also impressed us, which means that the foundations of this technology are future proofed. We only wish we had deployed it sooner.”

Following an in-depth consultation with RealWear partner, SystemActive, which involved various demos via video conference, Mace selected RealWear’s purpose built, voice enabled HMT-1 over other solutions available in the market, including smart glasses. The RealWear headsets met Mace’s requirements for no compromises on safety, for hands-free operation and the ability to clip to the side of hard hats. Its other requirements included durability and functionality at the right price point, two other areas where RealWear excelled.

The deployment began in June 2020. SystemActive worked with Mace’s IT team to create a bespoke operating system for the HMT-1, which was tailored so that many of its out-of-the-box features could only be used for collaborating with clients and colleagues who were not physically present on site. Once the operating system was set up, the wearable headsets arrived on site and were ready to use. Training from both RealWear and SystemActive included on-boarding sessions to bring Mace’s personnel up to speed on how to log on to video conferencing and join meetings, and a walkthrough of the functions of the camera and video stream.

“From a health and safety, durability and price perspective, RealWear’s device ticked a lot of boxes. We worked with the senior teams at Mace to ensure the device was as easy as possible for everyone to use and that the bespoke operating system met Mace’s needs. We’re thrilled with the positive feedback from Mace on the deployment and look forward to working with the team in a continued rollout,” added Ross Riley, Head of Immersive, SystemActive.

“RealWear’s HMT-1 is purpose built for productivity, even in extreme environments due to its ruggedness, durability and functionality,” said Jon Arnold, VP of Sales, RealWear Inc.

“With software updates to come in March that will further improve the user experience, the HMT-1 is set to be a central part of Mace’s workflow, both now and in the future,” he added.

Based on this level of success, Mace plans to surpass the 150-unit mark over the next few months as it ramps up deployment of RealWear’s HMT-1 globally. The company has recently procured more units to go out to one of its sectors in Peru to help with monitoring of a project and its various phases, including safety inspections. It has also increased awareness through its supply chain who have started to adopt the technology.

The post Mace Constructs a Smarter Way to Work with RealWear Wearables During Pandemic appeared first on IoT Business News.

Sequans Communications S.A. announced that Withings, pioneer of the connected health movement, has selected Sequans’ Monarch 2 LTE-M/NB-IoT technology as the basis for its next generation of IoT connected health devices.

Withings builds a wide range of health monitoring devices, including activity trackers, body weight and cardio monitors, blood pressure monitors, and advanced sleep analyzers.

“We have selected Monarch 2 as the basis for our next generation of connected health solutions because we believe that Monarch 2 is the most advanced cellular LTE-M/NB-IoT connectivity technology available today,” said Xavier Debreuil, product director, Withings.

“Monarch 2 provides everything we were looking for — LTE-M cellular connectivity with unmatched low power consumption, advanced integrated features, and a very small form factor. We are especially pleased with Monarch 2’s exceptionally low power consumption that enables extended battery life even using simple batteries, which makes these devices easier to manage and encourages regular usage.”

“Withings’ is dedicated to transforming the relationship between people and healthcare professionals and we are proud to provide the connectivity for their truly innovative ehealth devices,” said Didier Dutronc, EVP and GM, Massive IoT, Sequans. “Monarch 2 was developed with companies like Withings in mind—companies who are dedicated to providing powerful IoT services in the most advanced and efficient way possible.”

Withings is using Sequans’ recently announced Monarch 2 GM02S module that delivers ultra-low power consumption with a 60 percent improvement over the already industry-leading low level of first-generation Monarch. Also, Monarch 2 GM02S is the world’s only cellular IoT module supporting a certifiable EAL5+ secure enclave for integrated SIM (ieUICC) capability that is compliant with GSMA standards. The module also supports a single rail power supply starting at 2.2 V, the lowest level in the industry, allowing for better efficiency of the internal power management unit, further reducing power consumption and lowering battery and BOM cost.

The post Withings Selects Sequans LTE-M/NB-IoT Monarch 2 Platform to Connect its Next Generation of Smart Health Devices appeared first on IoT Business News.

Innovative OceanMedallion Wearable is Key to Touchless Capabilities, Effortless Vacations.

Princess Cruises announced that upon approval to return to service in 2021 its global fleet will feature the MedallionClass Experience, offering a number of new features that leverage touchless technologies and significantly enhance and personalize the guest experience, as well as support new health protocols.

The line of smart ships is expanding as ship transformation has continued during the pause. Coral Princess, Diamond Princess, Emerald Princess, Grand Princess, Island Princess, Majestic Princess, and Sapphire Princess will return as MedallionClass ships along with the new Enchanted Princess.

The cruise line’s OceanMedallion wearable device replaces the traditional cruise card and pairs with embedded IoT (“Internet of things”) -driven innovative technology to significantly expand touch-free options and personalization on board Princess MedallionClass ships including:

• touchless embarkation and disembarkation
• keyless stateroom entry
• completely contactless commerce
• simplified safety training
• on-demand food, beverages and retail items delivered anywhere on board
• guest service requests via mobile device chat
• location-based gaming and wagering
• entertainment content via smart devices

Princess MedallionClass ships also offer the best Wi-Fi at sea, MedallionNet, so guests can stay connected to the things and people they love and share vacation memories with ease. MedallionNet offers unprecedented connectivity that’s fast, unlimited and affordable, so guests can stream favorite movies, shows, games and music; connect to favorite social media sites; and video chat from anywhere on the ship.

Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises, said:

“Innovation is allowing us to pair guidance from public health experts with the unparalleled touch-free capabilities of the OceanMedallion honoring our commitment to health and safety, while continuing to reinvent and simplify the experience all together.”

“During this down-time we’ve worked behind the scenes to re-engineer our operation to give guests maximum control of their cruise vacation, as well as to activate the Princess MedallionClass Experience on all of our ships.”

A noted breakthrough in the vacation industry, the OceanMedallion connects guests and crew to an experiential “IoT” platform through a network of sensors and readers that help recognize individuals in locations throughout the ship, facilitating extraordinary touchless capabilities that include highly-personalized service and interactive entertainment, while also reducing contact between guests and crew on board and in ports.

“The same technology we’ve used to simplify and personalize the guest experience on our Princess MedallionClass ships for the past three years is now being further leveraged to safeguard our guests and crew as well,” said John Padgett, chief experience and innovation officer for Carnival Corporation. “That means that the smartest ships at sea are now enabling intelligence-driven safety processes via the OceanMedallion.”

Medallion-Enabled Touchless Experiences

TrulyTouchless Arrival and Embarkation : Princess is transforming embarkation day by leveraging OceanMedallion technology to reduce friction, remove contact, and avoid crowds, streamlining arrival and check-in, as well as completely reinventing the traditional muster drill.

OceanReady : Upon return, all guests will be required to become OceanReady before leaving home, creating a touchless, expedited arrival experience and embarkation. Guests will use the MedallionClass app to upload travel documents (i.e. passport information) and complete a health questionnaire in advance as well as provide important emergency information and form of payment, take a security image, personalize their Medallions and order accessories to be shipped to their home or ready for pick up upon arrival.

Simplified Safety Training : A new approach to the safety assembly on embarkation day lets travel parties watch an important safety video on their mobile device anytime on embarkation day or from the comfort of their cabin via their stateroom TV and verify their designated muster station with a quick, contactless check-in at their convenience anytime between boarding and sail away. The OceanMedallion and xIoT provide the verification needed by the ship’s captain to confirm muster drill check-in while strengthening safety and security operations onboard, safe-guarding guest and crew health, and increasing operational efficiency.

Keyless stateroom entry : Access to staterooms is a seamless experience where each guest is securely validated as their cabin door automatically unlocks as they approach – no fumbling for a phone or key card. The traditional do-not-disturb sign also becomes a thing of the past as the feature is integrated with the personalized portal outside each cabin, allowing guests to request privacy or designate their room for service by touching the display or using the MedallionClass app.

TrulyTouchless Commerce : MedallionPay transforms shopping on vacation by eliminating the need to carry cash and credit cards on board and in Princess Cays. MedallionPay allows for effortless payment when purchasing anything on the ship – food, beverages, merchandise, excursions, even laundry tokens. Because the proximity of the Medallion associates a guest’s photo with their location, crew members can quickly transact purchases without requiring the guest to handover, tap, swipe or insert a card, sign or enter a pin number.

OceanNow Service On-Demand : Food, beverage, retail orders and service are delivered directly to a guest’s location. Guests can place orders using their smart device, their stateroom TV or with a crew member, as the Medallion continuously ensures great service wherever a guest may go on board.

Service Always Available : The location-based capabilities of the Medallion are allowing Princess to completely reinvent onboard guest service. Instead of queuing at the guest service desk for help or support, guests sailing on MedallionClass ships will now be able to request assistance from their mobile device, stateroom TV or any crew member using OceanNow. Requests will then be routed to a crew member to chat or locate the guest to provide personal assistance.

“Our guests have always loved the convenience of OceanNow, but because the pandemic has expanded people’s appreciation of direct delivery, we think even more guests will embrace the ability to order food, drinks and more to meet them where they want to be – whether that’s a meal or a request for service,” added Swartz. “Not only does it prevent unnecessary queuing, it elevates our service delivery.”

Contactless Experiences Accessible from the MedallionClass App

On board Princess MedallionClass ships and throughout the guest journey, a portfolio of exceptionally fun and convenient experiences put guests in control. Contactless capabilities are accessible from guests’ smart phones and tablets, and include shipboard wayfinding, family and friends locator, first-run movies, an interactive events and activities planner, wager-based gaming, and interactive fun.

• Locate Travel Companions, Chat Using OceanCompass: The Medallion helps guests easily locate and chat with friends and family on board, as well as enables proprietary and industry-exclusive person-to-person wayfinding throughout the ship.
• First-run movies on the go*: With OceanView, guests can watch recently-released films, the world’s most popular travel series, and live TV featuring broadcasts of select onboard events and more, from anywhere on board using their smart phone or tablet at no additional cost.
• Reserve Events/Interactive Voyage Timeline*: An interactive timeline within JourneyView lets guests see all ship events scheduled during their voyage and reserve activities they are interested in attending, adding it to their own personalized itinerary.
• Wager-based gaming*: With Ocean® Casino guests wager real money on games including slots, poker, bingo, roulette, keno and lottery from anywhere on board, blackjack on stateroom TVs.
• Interactive fun*: PlayOcean puts entertainment at guests’ fingertips with interactive trivia, a ship-wide bar adventure, customizable avatars and more. PlayOcean also transforms guests’ mobile devices into game controllers for interactive gaming on the massive Movies Under the Stars screen near the ship’s main pool.

The post Princess Cruises Global Fleet to Feature MedallionClass™ Experience in 2021 appeared first on IoT Business News.

Safety at work has become more important than ever in 2020, and more and more organisations are looking to new solutions and ways of doing things to help them maintain a healthy, protected workforce.

As with many areas of business in the last decade or so, digital transformation could be the key to boosting the efficiency and effectiveness of health and safety efforts. Key to this is the internet of things (IoT), which has the power to seamlessly connect workers with their supervisors and colleagues from anywhere in the world.

A greater number of people have been forced to work remotely, and this trend is unlikely to be reversed once the world returns to its ‘new normal’. So, in order to avoid falling behind competitors in 2021 and beyond, organisations must ensure their safety policies are as strong as possible right now.

Health and safety for lone workers

It’s important to remember that Identifying risks associated with work activities, as well as mitigating these risks (where they cannot be eliminated altogether) is a legal requirement for employers. This goes for anything that could impact employees, contractors, the public or anyone else.

And these risks can negatively impact the entire business if they are not taken into account. It was estimated that 32.5 million working days were lost in the UK because of work-related illness and accidents in the last year.

One industry that has already been transformed by IoT implementation is the transport sector and fleet management. This is because many of those employed in these industries could be described as lone workers, who may need extra safety measures in place because of their remote status.

With the use of connected technology such as lone worker devices, these employees have the power to report incidents and dangerous situations, with employers also able to track their location in real-time. This not only makes wider workforce management that much easier, but also removes barriers that would otherwise make sending help more difficult.

It’s for these reasons that IoT-enabled lone worker devices have become popular across many different industries, from transport and construction to policing and factory work.

With alarms that can be activated manually, or in many cases even detect when a user has fallen and automatically get in touch with a chosen contact, an employee can complete their work with the knowledge that they’re covered.

Integrating technology

The benefits of using IoT devices for health and safety go far beyond helping workers in a specific moment. The data collected can be invaluable when it comes to conducting future risk assessments and designing work to be the safest and most efficient it can be.

Without this data, which can range from real-time location information to the number of incidents that have occurred over a period of time, health and safety leaders are left flying blind and risk assessments will inevitably be left with large gaps that could lead to avoidable accidents and injury down the line.

Automation is also a huge opportunity for time-poor business leaders who simply don’t have the resource to collect this information manually.

While introducing any new technology to a workforce who are used to a certain way of doing things can be tricky, organisations must become comfortable with automating a larger array of processes if they are to future-proof their business.

Health and safety is an area that has for too long been treated as an arduous and time-consuming task and has become antiquated as a result. IoT and other technologies have the power to change this, improving employee safety and satisfaction at the same time.

The post Why IoT is the Essential Ingredient for Effective Health and Safety in the Workplace appeared first on IoT Business News.

International industry leaders in wearables and IoT software partner to debut new products.

Guardhat today announced the release of their new smart glasses-based solutions that ensure the safety and productivity of front-line workers.

The new offering is a result of a partnership between Guardhat and Vuzix Corporation, both industry experts in wearable safety technology.

Both glasses solutions provide hands-free operation, voice commands, wireless connectivity, and interoperability with Guardhat’s general-purpose Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platform, Kyra. Using Kyra, Vuzix’s smart glasses connect to Guardhat’s Theia app, which allows users to track real-time location with inbuilt GPS.

Additional key features include wireless connectivity over Wi-Fi* with offline operation when disconnected, VOIP audio-visual communications/telephony, and local media capture (images, video) with sync to Kyra backend. Those wearing these glasses can also call for help by sounding the panic alarm using voice activation or the dedicated button.

“We are thankful for the partnership with Vuzix, which allows us to better support a critical population of people working tirelessly throughout the ongoing pandemic”, said Anupam Sengupta, Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer at Guardhat.

“We continue to look for creative ways to leverage our technology to keep front-line workers safe every day, and these smart glasses are the next step in that evolution.”

The glasses, provided by Vuzix, include two wearable variants, the HG1 Smart Glasses (Vuzix M400) and the HG2 Smart Glasses (Vuzix M4000). The key differentiator between these two glasses is that the HG2 comes with a see-through waveguide display. The HG2 also comes with a larger WVGA 16×9 854×480 color display; 28 degrees, equivalent to a 9″ mobile device screen seen at 18″. Both devices use the cutting-edge Qualcomm XR platform, which makes them perform better than the competition.

“The Guardhat app, Theia, brings with it real-time situational awareness that provides our smart glasses wearers with important heads-up and hands free information about their work environments that enhances enterprise worker productivity and safety,” said Paul Travers, CEO at Vuzix. “Vuzix looks forward to supporting GuardHat as they continue to roll out their Vuzix Smart Glasses-based solutions to enterprise workplaces.”

The integration of Guardhat’s software and Vuzix’s hardware will allow users to:

• Make audio/video calls to remote experts and operators
• Record audio/video and take pictures
• Scan barcodes/QR codes for asset identification*
• Operate completely via voice commands
• Display work procedures/guided instructions and checklists for MRO, EAM, EWP use-cases*
• Interoperate with other Guardhat devices/wearables over Bluetooth*
• Visualize events and current location on live map*
• Continue offline operations when Wi-Fi not connected
• Digital forms*
• Field-services solutions*

Indranil (Rony) Choudhury, Chief Operating Officer at Guardhat, said:

“By offering these Smart Glasses, we are changing the industry. These products showcase the innovation and industry growth that can come from the pressure of the pandemic.”

The post Guardhat Releases Smart Glasses Based Solutions for Front-Line Workers appeared first on IoT Business News.

Vulnerable Things.com helps vendors prepare for IoT security regulations and assist security researchers with vulnerability reporting.

An online platform designed to help IoT vendors receive, assess, manage and mitigate vulnerability reports has been launched by the IoT Security Foundation (IoTSF).

Vulnerable Things.com aims to simplify the reporting and management of vulnerabilities whilst helping IoT vendors comply with new consumer IoT security standards and regulations.

As the first globally applicable standard for consumer IoT cybersecurity, the new ETSI EN 303 645 specification requires IoT vendors – which could include device manufacturers or importers/distributors – to publish a clear and transparent vulnerability disclosure policy; establish an internal vulnerability management procedure; make contact information for vulnerability reporting publicly available; and continually monitor for and identify security vulnerabilities within their products.

Governments around the world including in the UK, Australia, Singapore, Finland and the American states of California and Oregon have already published codes of practice, product labelling schemes or prepared legislation aligned to the standard. Implementing a means to accept vulnerability reports is a common feature of these initiatives. Without mechanisms to report, manage and resolve vulnerabilities – such as Co-ordinated Vulnerability Disclosure (CVD) – the security of consumer IoT products diminishes over time and the risk of attack or abuse increases.

John Moor, Managing Director of the IoT Security Foundation, said:

“Vulnerability management is such a fundamental element to IoT cyber-hygiene that it is no surprise that governments and regulators around the world are making this a mandatory requirement.”

“As a world leading expert authority on IoT security, IoTSF has published vulnerability disclosure best practices and industry status[1] reports. Our conclusions are that industry must do more to protect their customers and their own businesses. We therefore see the need to drive this vital security practice and aim to help make it as simple as possible with the launch of the Vulnerable Things platform – especially for the uninitiated and firms who may lack resources. The service brokers good communications between researchers and vendors and guides both through the process until complete.”

“We are piloting the service to test the likely demand and gain feedback for users.”

Vulnerabilities can put user safety and personal data at risk and could place an IoT vendor in breach of data protection regulations. Failure by a vendor to respond to a reported vulnerability, whether from a consumer or a specialist security researcher, could result in uncontrolled public disclosure of the vulnerability which would increase the risk of attacks by bad actors. Fixing a vulnerability promptly reduces risks to users, devices, networks and IoT manufacturers.

Matt Warman, the UK Government’s Digital Infrastructure Minister said:
“I welcome this new initiative to help industry improve the security of internet of things devices and boost our burgeoning digital economy while protecting people online. We want everyone to have confidence that the internet-connected products they are buying have stronger security and are working on legislation in this field to help make this a reality.”

VulnerableThings.com aims to provide an off-the-shelf, user-friendly vulnerability management tool and other valuable member resources including policy templates, issue resolution guidelines and a directory of specialist advisors to help IoT manufacturers prepare for emerging regulations and to maintain compliance. CVD must become an essential part of the culture of successful IoT vendors and needs to be understood and supported by a business’s board of directors, compliance officer, product managers, product development managers, product security, supply chain managers and public relations teams.

Manufacturers that subscribe to VulnerableThings will have access to a dashboard that will guide them through the vulnerability resolution process and facilitate communication with the reporter. Where a vulnerability is reported in a product from a vendor that hasn’t registered with the service, an alert will be sent to a public email address of the manufacturer who will then have the opportunity to securely access the details of the vulnerability report by coming to VulnerableThings.

Access to Vulnerable Things.com is available free until 31 January 2021. Subscribing to the service also provides access to professional support for co-ordinated disclosure announcements.

While vulnerabilities can be reported by any individual anonymously, by registering with VulnerableThings.com, security researchers are provided with a dashboard that allows them to monitor the progress towards resolving vulnerabilities they have reported to different manufacturers. Promoting dialogue between vendors and security researchers will contribute to the success of the IoT ecosystem.

The post IoT Security Foundation launches co-ordinated vulnerability disclosure platform for IoT industry appeared first on IoT Business News.

• Users of GrandPad tablets will now benefit from the Orange Belgium IoT managed connectivity service, powered by Ericsson IoT Accelerator

• Safe, secure, reliable connectivity keeps elderly users connected to families and caregivers, especially during COVID-19 restrictions

• Service will be available across Europe, starting with the UK and Ireland

Ericsson, GrandPad, and Orange Belgium have partnered to make connectivity more accessible for the elderly to stay socially connected with family, friends, and caregivers.

GrandPad creates connected tablets and services for seniors with managed connectivity from the Orange Belgium IoT service, powered by the Ericsson IoT Accelerator platform.

The GrandPad tablet is an easy-to-use device that connects seniors with family, friends, and caregivers through simple video calling, voice, text and email, and easy photo sharing. GrandPad also provides a connection to the world and supports personal interests with unlimited music, streaming radio, news, games, and more. This functionality is made possible through a built-in LTE service that allows users to connect from anywhere, at any time. These services have been invaluable during physical distancing and COVID-19 restrictions.

“Mobile devices have been a lifesaver during COVID-19, but challenges around WiFi, including its availability and reliability, often prevent older adults from consistently using these technologies. Fortunately, every GrandPad connected tablet comes with built-in LTE service, which removes this barrier,” said Scott Lien, co-founder and CEO of GrandPad.

“We’re thrilled to announce this partnership — especially at this critical time — because it gives GrandPad users in the UK and Ireland access to broad network coverage and fast, secure and reliable 4G LTE.”

Powered by Ericsson IoT Accelerator, Orange Belgium delivers the cellular IoT connectivity management services and SIM cards for GrandPad users in the UK and Ireland, with plans to expand to other European countries. Ericsson IoT Accelerator is an industry-leading IoT platform, enabling cost-efficient, reliable and secure IoT connectivity management and operations for any enterprise, of any scale, anywhere in the world.

Werner De Laet, Chief Enterprise, Innovation and Wholesale officer of Orange Belgium, says:
“As a responsible operator, we are fully committed to supporting technologies that benefit society. The GrandPad initiative is a great example of the kind of use cases we want to promote. Our expertise in IoT services and the strength and reliability of our network solutions allows people to better connect with their families, loved ones and to enjoy entertainment or access information.”

Kiva Allgood, Head of IoT, Ericsson, says:

“Our technology can help shorten the social and physical distance that the elderly and families are experiencing right now. Together with Orange Belgium and GrandPad, our global IoT platform delivers easy and secure device connectivity to ensure GrandPad users stay connected in this time of change.”

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Global shipments of wearable devices are expected to total 396.0 million units in 2020 according to new data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Wearable Device Tracker.

This marks a 14.5% increase from the 345.9 million units shipped in 2019. Looking ahead, IDC forecasts shipment volume to have a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.4% and total 637.1 million units in 2024.

The first half of 2020 delivered positive results despite the impact of COVID-19 on the global economy. Even though vendors scaled down production and end users were quarantined, demand for wearables remained steady. The market was propelled by near-record demand for hearables, which was enough to offset slightly lower demand for watches and wristbands. The second half of 2020 is on pace to continue this trend and with the launch of new products – including hearables, watches, and wristbands – from multiple vendors, the wearables market is on track to reach nearly 400 million units this year.

Beyond devices, one trend to watch is the emergence of services to complement wearables. Apple’s recently announced Fitness+, Amazon’s new Halo, and Fitbit’s Fitbit Premium connect users with health and fitness content (i.e., guided workouts, coaching, and diet advice) while incorporating data from their wearable device. Several other companies are taking a different route, showing enterprise customers how to keep their employees physically distant and detect early signs of potential illness. These services and others to come will increase the demand for wearables.

Ramon T. Llamas, research director, Mobile Devices and AR/VR, said:

“Wearable devices and services will evolve together in the coming quarters. Wearables are the perfect device to collect user data and services provide guidance and actionable insight. Together, they offer the user a virtual coach to make better decisions and achieve their goals.”

“Device makers are also laying the groundwork that will allow consumers to use multiple wearables in conjunction with each other,” said Jitesh Ubrani, research manager for IDC Mobile Device Trackers. “Imagine tying positional and audio input from hearables with health metrics from the wrist to gauge a user’s level of attention or excitement in the surrounding environment. That’s a powerful new experience that can bring added utility to consumers and vendors alike.”

Category Highlights

Hearables* will account for the majority of shipments throughout the forecast while posting a market beating CAGR of 14.1%. A combination of drivers will sustain hearable growth: an expanding list of vendors with a growing number of devices; smartphones abandoning the 3.5mm headphone jack in favor of Bluetooth connections; lower prices; and an expansion of use cases beyond audio content consumption, like health and fitness monitoring, smart assistants, and connection to home and work IoT systems.

Watches**, comprised of smartwatches and basic watches, will experience the highest CAGR at 14.3%. The smartwatch market will see its operating system (OS) landscape shift as Google’s WearOS acquires FitbitOS to bolster its health and fitness offerings and new vendor partners are added to its list. Samsung’s Tizen will slowly gain share with its own fitness-focused and productivity-driven Galaxy watches. At the top is Apple’s watchOS, which will benefit from the introduction of its new Watch SE, sitting between its premium and entry-level devices. Meanwhile, basic watches will benefit from kids’ connected watches alongside hybrid- and GPS-equipped watches.

Wristbands will slowly crawl upward with shipments growing at a CAGR of 2.4%. Even as average selling prices dip below $40 USD by the end of the forecast, there will still be space for more expensive models whose feature sets closely mimic those found on smartwatches, including mobile payments, smartphone notifications, and advanced fitness features. Still, the primary driver for wristband shipments will be inexpensive step- and calorie counters.

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Vodafone’s R&D team have built a prototype product recall system that allows manufacturers to notify consumers of recalled faulty or potentially dangerous electrical goods, and shut them down remotely if needed, including tumble dryers, washing machines, fridges and freezers.

The system in development will help boost Vodafone’s leading position in providing secure and reliable connectivity to an increasing number of smart home appliances. Vodafone is already working with household and commercial appliance manufacturers on mobile controls and network technology. These give consumers peace of mind that they can control their devices remotely and will be notified when, for example, they leave their freezer door open.

Using Vodafone’s Global Internet of Things (IoT) technology – the world’s largest platform of its kind with more than 100 million connections – Vodafone’s engineers are now turning their attention to home safety. They have developed a prototype system which uses a miniature electronic device module – similar in size to a SIM card – installed within the appliance to provide a link over Vodafone’s network. This allows a manufacturer to notify consumers of a potential issue with their appliance and, if necessary, disable the appliance by using Vodafone’s network, reducing the risk of harm to the appliance, consumer or their home. In situations that pose no risk, companies can send a message via the Vodafone system to an LED on the product to notify consumers of the recall of their appliance.

With many large appliances recalled each year worldwide and serious faults frequently linked to fires, the Vodafone Safety Alert Message Indicator (SAMI) overcomes the issue of manufacturers not being able to contact the affected customers. This is particularly relevant if the appliance is not registered to a postal address or is re-sold. The manufacturer can also keep an audit trail of messages delivered successfully to their customers using this Vodafone service.

Sami Gabriel, a Distinguished Engineer at Vodafone Group’s R&D centre, demonstrating the smart product recall system. It allows manufacturers to notify consumers of recalled faulty or potentially dangerous electrical goods, and shut them down remotely if needed.

Vodafone Group Chief Technology Officer Johan Wibergh said: “Our technology is already allowing manufacturers to let consumers control home appliances when they are out and about. Now we have the potential to help manufacturers stay connected to their products in the field, enabling them to manage more effectively both servicing and safety recalls.”

“The initial feedback from fire brigades for our system in development has been positive and we are now looking to work with manufacturers to make the IoT Safety Alert Message Indicator a reality. This is especially important at a time when the number of electronic appliances per household are predicted to increase and we spend more time at home.”

Vodafone’s engineers developed the IoT module with safety in mind. It works independently to the host product and uses only a small amount of direct current (DC) battery power to avoid the mains power supply. The Vodafone Safety Alert Message Indicator has received innovation awards from both the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and Electrical Safety First (ESF) – a UK charity dedicated to reducing and preventing damage, injuries and death caused by electricity.

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]]> https://iotbusinessnews.com/2020/09/09/91541-telit-5g-powers-orbis-football-helmets-with-360-8k-cameras-to-give-fans-a-players-perspective/ Wed, 09 Sep 2020 15:04:32 +0000 https://iotbusinessnews.com/?p=31295

Fans now can experience the game from the perspective of 22 players as part of TV broadcasts, virtual reality streams and more Telit’s FN980 data card series enables ORBI helmets to leverage the 5G networks now available in nearly half of NFL stadiums Telit, a global enabler of the Internet of Things (IoT), today announced ...

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• Fans now can experience the game from the perspective of 22 players as part of TV broadcasts, virtual reality streams and more

• Telit’s FN980 data card series enables ORBI helmets to leverage the 5G networks now available in nearly half of NFL stadiums

Telit, a global enabler of the Internet of Things (IoT), today announced that ORBI is using the Telit FN980 5G data card series for the world’s first football helmet with 360° video cameras shooting in 8K at 60 frames per second (fps).

The ORBI 5G helmets enable fans to experience the game from the player’s perspective and highlight how Telit is enabling innovative companies to quickly add 5G to create breakthrough products and services.

Each ORBI 5G helmet has six embedded cameras, which use the Telit FN980 series to stream footage to a remote server. Artificial intelligence stitches the feeds in real time into a single video delivered to audiences, such as broadcast TV and virtual reality (VR) headsets. The ORBI production systems can support all 22 players’ cameras during a game.

The Telit FN980 series enables ORBI and its clients, such as media companies, to take advantage of the 5G networks currently installed at nearly half of all U.S. NFL stadiums. Featuring the Qualcomm® Snapdragon X55 5G Modem-RF System, the FN980 series is ideal for high-performance, bandwidth-intensive applications such as professional video broadcasting and digital signage.

The data cards support all major frequency bands, whether mmWave or sub-6 GHz, giving ORBI 5G helmet users maximum deployment flexibility. The FN980m supports the Qualcomm® QTM525 mmWave antenna module for near-the-ground, low-power indoor and outdoor applications. It also supports the Qualcomm® QTM527 mmWave extended-range antenna module for high-mount outdoor applications.

“Imagine being able to experience Super Bowl LIV from a players’ point of view – live in 8K video at 60 fps – on TV or a VR headset,” said Iskander Rakhman, CEO, ORBI.

“The ORBI 5G helmet is the only commercially available headset that enables those kinds of revolutionary fan experiences. When we needed to select a 5G solution, our design house partner recommended Telit, which had exactly the data card we needed – and before any other vendor we considered.”

“We’re excited to collaborate with Telit and ORBI to unlock this new and exciting 5G application powered by the Snapdragon X55 5G Modem-RF System. The ORBI 5G Helmet, is an innovative example of how 5G is addressing bandwidth intensive applications like professional video broadcasting that require the unprecedented speeds of 5G mmWave,” said Gautam Sheoran, senior director, product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

“ORBI is a prime example of how innovators and disruptors turn to Telit when they need the latest mobile technologies to make their vision reality,” said Dennis Kelly, SVP Sales Americas, Telit. “With the Telit FN980 series inside, the ORBI 5G helmet can take advantage of the newly ratified 3GPP Rel. 15 standard and the rapidly growing number of football stadiums with 5G networks.”

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]]> https://iotbusinessnews.com/2020/09/07/06214-keeping-connectivity-within-reach-oppo-launches-its-first-smartwatch-with-thales-esim-solutions/ Mon, 07 Sep 2020 12:05:09 +0000 https://iotbusinessnews.com/?p=31275

OPPO has selected Thales eSIM solutions for its OPPO Watch, the brand’s first smartwatch series with built-in cellular connectivity. OPPO Watch users can enjoy a digital experience by activating its mobile subscription remotely and staying connected without having to rely on their mobile phone. Thales’ miniaturized eSIM enables the OPPO Watch to achieve a thinner ...

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• OPPO has selected Thales eSIM solutions for its OPPO Watch, the brand’s first smartwatch series with built-in cellular connectivity.
• OPPO Watch users can enjoy a digital experience by activating its mobile subscription remotely and staying connected without having to rely on their mobile phone.
• Thales’ miniaturized eSIM enables the OPPO Watch to achieve a thinner and lighter design, freeing up room for extra features.

OPPO, the world’s leading smart device manufacturer, has selected Thales’ set of eSIM products and services for its OPPO Watch, the brand’s first smartwatch series with built-in cellular connectivity.

The launch of the OPPO Watch marks a strategic step into the field of IoT for the company.

One of the most compelling features of the OPPO Watch is the eSIM-based cellular connectivity. Thales’ eSIM allows OPPO Watch users to enjoy a smoothly digital experience by activating a mobile subscription remotely and always stay connected without having to tether it to a mobile phone. Users can make voice calls or send messages at any time directly through the smartwatch, providing seamless connectivity during workouts or other situations where carrying a mobile phone is inconvenient. This smooth experience leverages Thales eSIM solutions to offer a full range of subscription services during the life cycle of the device.

By eliminating the need for an additional SIM card slot, Thales’ eSIM makes sleek mobile-connected smartwatches possible. Indeed it enables a thinner and lighter smartwatch design while freeing up more space for extra features such as up to 50 meter water resistance. It thereby helps OPPO fulfil its mission of elevating life through technological artistry.

The Thales embedded SIM has been qualified by all three China’s mobile operators allowing OPPO smartwatch users to select their mobile subscription from any of these operators.

Liu Bo, President of OPPO China:

“As OPPO’s first foray into the wearable electronics market, the OPPO Watch marks a strategic step into the field of AIoT (Artificial IoT) for the company. Thanks to Thales’ eSIM solutions that bring smartphone-level convenience to smartwatches, users can stay connected in a smarter and more efficient way without restrictions. We are looking forward to working with Thales again, given their leadership in eSIM and the success of our current partnership.”

David McQueen, Director, Connected Consumer Devices, ABI Research Research:
“The wearable segment is the second largest market for eSIM-compliant consumer electronics after smartphones. ABI Research forecasts that a total of 315 million cellular enabled wearables will have shipped by 2025. Smartwatch makers, in particular, are increasingly on-boarding eSIM connectivity in their flat-design devices to address new smartwatch-only use cases such as kids safety, sports and health monitoring…”

Jérôme Bendell, Vice President of Thales North Asia and CEO of Thales in China:
“Thales is honoured to provide a full suite of eSIM solutions for OPPO Watch. AIoT is one of OPPO’s key focuses aiming to bring customers seamless experiences to their daily life, including sport and health. Thales is OPPO’s key eSIM solutions partner, empowering them with instant connectivity for their consumer devices. We are proud to accompany OPPO on this journey and fully support their ambitions of providing their users with the best innovations available.”

Thales is the world’s leader in eSIM connectivity management with more than 200 eSIM management platforms awarded by mobile operators, operator alliances, MVNOs, automotive makers, and OEMs across all continents.

Related resource: What is an eSIM: 6 illustrated answers infographic

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]]> https://iotbusinessnews.com/2020/09/01/64000-orange-business-services-and-de-beers-co-innovate-geofencing-solution-to-enhance-crew-safety-in-offshore-mining/ Tue, 01 Sep 2020 13:00:43 +0000 https://iotbusinessnews.com/?p=31236

Successful pilot used digital IoT technologies and wearable sensors to monitor crew proximity to heavy machinery Co-creation approach supports De Beers’ ‘zero harm’ health and safety objectives in a heavy industrial environment Orange Business Services and De Beers Marine South Africa, a division of De Beers – the world’s leading diamond company, have jointly installed ...

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• Successful pilot used digital IoT technologies and wearable sensors to monitor crew proximity to heavy machinery
• Co-creation approach supports De Beers’ ‘zero harm’ health and safety objectives in a heavy industrial environment

Orange Business Services and De Beers Marine South Africa, a division of De Beers – the world’s leading diamond company, have jointly installed and tested a customized IoT solution to provide geofencing to maintain safe working distances for crew around the heavy machinery involved in marine diamond mining operations.

The new solution was successfully piloted on board the MV Mafuta, currently the world’s largest offshore diamond mining vessel owned and operated by Debmarine Namibia and operating up to 150 km off the coast of Namibia, in southern Africa.

Diamond mining vessels bring crew and heavy machinery into relatively close proximity, and De Beers is committed to ensuring the highest standards of operating safety for all personnel. The Orange IoT solution was developed in response to De Beers’ ‘zero harm’ objectives. It followed an initial engagement and joint exploratory workshop with the Orange Business Services team in South Africa and focused on IoT technologies, such as Bluetooth Low Energy locators and wearable sensors, as a precision crew locator tool, integrated with onboard antennas and an Orange software engine.

In the pilot, Orange Business Services imported the Mafuta’s AutoCAD files and undertook an onboard site survey to map antenna locations to geofence a predetermined area on the vessel. Ten crew members were equipped with wrist sensors. If one of the crew breached the geofenced area onboard the vessel, the ship’s bridge was alerted immediately.

De Beers Group Technology SA, an R&D arm of De Beers Group, is now further exploring additional applications, such as a breach alert function to link the sensors directly to the mining machinery via a SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) control system and PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), to facilitate a failsafe cut-off in the event of a breach in the geofence.

Gerhardus Theron, Vessel Manager of the MV Mafuta said:

“Debmarine Namibia has a very clear aim of ‘zero harm’ across all our operations, and we are constantly looking at ways of enhancing employee safety and especially around the heavy machinery required for diamond recovery operations. The initial engagement consultation and joint workshop with the team from Orange Business Services was very productive and quickly identified the potential for an IoT solution to ensure the wellbeing of personnel onboard the vessels. We quickly moved to a pilot phase, which has now confirmed the potential of this innovative approach that we could embed within our existing safety processes and procedures.”

“This smart IoT solution developed with De Beers is a great example of innovating and co-creating with our customer. The geofencing pilot has already proved successful in one of the most challenging heavy industrial environments – a floating diamond mine at sea, with prolonged exposure to strong vibration and corrosive saltwater.”

“The next phase of its development will aim to refine the interface and data collection capabilities, and include testing a trigger function to deactivate machinery in the event of a breach of the geofence by a crew member,” said Keith Matthews, Country Manager for South Africa, Orange Business Services.

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]]> https://iotbusinessnews.com/2020/08/24/08987-global-smartwatch-market-revenue-up-20-in-h1-2020-led-by-apple-garmin-huawei/ Mon, 24 Aug 2020 16:45:18 +0000 https://iotbusinessnews.com/?p=30334

The top three brands contributed more than 69% of the total market revenue. The global smartwatch market posted a healthy 20% revenue growth in H1 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic and shipments remaining flat compared to the same period last year, according to the latest research from Counterpoint’s IoT service. Senior Analyst Sujeong Lim said: ...

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The top three brands contributed more than 69% of the total market revenue.

The global smartwatch market posted a healthy 20% revenue growth in H1 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic and shipments remaining flat compared to the same period last year, according to the latest research from Counterpoint’s IoT service.

Senior Analyst Sujeong Lim said:

“The smartwatch space remains a popular consumer device segment, compared to the downturn seen in smartphone demand and many other segments in the first six months of 2020 due to the devastation caused by COVID-19. Close to 42 million smartwatches were shipped in H1 2020 as wearables continue to see greater demand with consumers becoming more health conscious.”

“India (+57% YoY), Europe (+9% YoY) and the US (+5% YoY), the most affected regions of COVID-19, saw a healthy growth in smartwatch shipments which offset the decline in other markets.”

Lim added: “Apple continued to dominate the smartwatch market both in volume and value. Apple captured a record half of the market in terms of revenue due to strong demand for the Apple Watch S5 models.”

Vice President Research Neil Shah said: “Huawei saw healthy volumes (+57% YoY), jumping to the second spot globally in H1 2020. Huawei benefitted from significant demand for its smartwatches, especially the Watch GT2 series in Asian markets. Garmin, the second-largest brand in terms of revenue globally, continued to make strides cornering the sports enthusiast and athlete market. The brand saw healthy demand (+31% YoY) for its Forerunner and Fenix line, making up one of the broadest portfolios of smartwatches in the market. Europe and North America remain the key markets for Garmin.”

Research Director Jeff Fieldhack said: “Google WearOS continues to account for 10% of the total smartwatch market, behind Apple WatchOS. Huawei’s Lite OS and Amazfit’s Amazfit OS are growing fast. Further, the cellular-capable smartwatch is becoming more popular and accounts for more than one in four smartwatches shipped, benefitting the likes of Qualcomm.”

Global Smartwatch Shipment Revenue Share % in H1 2020 vs H1 2019

A comprehensive report on the smartwatch shipment tracker by model and geography is available for subscribing clients on Counterpoint’s research portal.

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]]> https://iotbusinessnews.com/2020/07/20/94014-antitrust-the-european-commission-launches-sector-inquiry-into-the-consumer-internet-of-things-iot/ Mon, 20 Jul 2020 12:22:38 +0000 https://iotbusinessnews.com/?p=29999

The European Commission today launched an antitrust competition inquiry into the sector of Internet of Things (IoT) for consumer-related products and services in the European Union. The sector inquiry will focus on consumer-related products and services that are connected to a network and can be controlled at a distance, for example via a voice assistant ...

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The European Commission today launched an antitrust competition inquiry into the sector of Internet of Things (IoT) for consumer-related products and services in the European Union.

The sector inquiry will focus on consumer-related products and services that are connected to a network and can be controlled at a distance, for example via a voice assistant or mobile device. These include smart home appliances and wearable devices. Knowledge about the market gained through the inquiry will contribute to the Commission’s enforcement of competition law in this sector.

Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said:
“The consumer Internet of Things is expected to grow significantly in the coming years and become commonplace in the daily lives of European consumers. Imagine a smart fridge making your grocery list, you pulling up that grocery list onto your smart device and order a delivery from a shop that sends the groceries to your door that unlocks automatically with a word. The possibilities seem endless.”

“But access to large amounts of user data appears to be the key for success in this sector, so we have to make sure that market players are not using their control over such data to distort competition, or otherwise close off these markets for competitors. This sector inquiry will help us better understand the nature and likely effects of the possible competition problems in this sector.”

Despite the relatively early stage of development of the sector for the Internet of Things for consumer-related products and services in the European Union, there are indications that certain company practices may structurally distort competition. In particular, there are indications relating to restrictions of data access and interoperability, as well as certain forms of self-preferencing and practices linked to the use of proprietary standards. Internet of Things ecosystems are often characterised by strong network effects and economies of scale, which might lead to the fast emergence of dominant digital ecosystems and gatekeepers and might present tipping risks.

Therefore, through this competition sector inquiry, the Commission will gather market information to better understand the nature, prevalence and effects of these potential competition issues, and to assess them in light of EU antitrust rules.

The sector inquiry will cover products such as wearable devices (e.g. smart watches or fitness trackers) and connected consumer devices used in the smart home context, such as fridges, washing machines, smart TVs, smart speakers and lighting systems. The sector inquiry will also collect information about the services available via smart devices, such as music and video streaming services and about the voice assistants used to access them.

If, after analysing the results, the Commission identified specific competition concerns, it could open case investigations to ensure compliance with EU rules on restrictive business practices and abuse of dominant market positions (Articles 101 and 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union – TFEU).

The inquiry complements other actions launched within the framework of the Commission’s digital strategy, in particular regulatory initiatives related to artificial intelligence (AI), data and digital platforms.

Next steps

In the coming weeks, the Commission will send requests for information to a range of players active in the Internet of Things for consumer-related products and services throughout the EU. The companies concerned may include, for example, smart device manufacturers, software developers and related service providers. Under EU antitrust rules the Commission can require companies and trade associations to supply information, documents or statements as part of a sector inquiry.

The Commission expects to publish a preliminary report on the replies for consultation in the spring of 2021. The final report would follow in the summer of 2022.

For further background, please see the sector inquiry website.

This sector inquiry follows a number of other antitrust sector inquiries carried out in recent years in fields including financial services, energy pharmaceuticals, and e-commerce. More information can be found on DG Competition’s sector inquiry website.

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