December 2019 – IoT Whitebook

Deep Tech in 2020: How different will be the paradigm

Pushing multi-device control to our palms is what the Internet of Things (IoT) promised but has never been restricted to. Ever since we have praised it to the skies, the technology’s propelling reach to our lifestyles has been a fascinating endeavour, says Yash Mehta, an IoT and Big Data Science specialist.

Not only has it made things simpler but it also stepped up to resolve real-world issues. So, next time if you stumble upon a farmer who operates the sprinkler in his field through a smartphone, thank IoT. And thank every other technology such as Blockchain that is blazing the trail with workable solutions to combat the most distressing world problems. By the time you read this, the number of connected devices will have inched further from 26.6 billion.

More than 26 billion active devices! That’s huge, and no less than a world in itself. Imagine the volume of data being produced and streamed and the powerful insights they could be providing. Blockchain, on the other hand, has been put to test the maximum number of times. Hundreds of case studies have been endorsing for a better world with decentralisation; accounting for fastened and accurate validation.

Until 2019, each of these technologies had been worked upon in isolation, with a few bright sparks here and there discussing the scope of going hybrid. However, 2020 will be different.

IoT will continue to impact more areas such as manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, and consumer goods. While until 2019, fetching the data was the key, the newer decade will see better handshaking with predictive analytics to understand consumer trends and preferences.

Take automotive for example, wherein vehicles in compliance with the CASE (Connected, Autonomous, Safe, and Electric) norms are being manufactured to produce real-time, workable data about driving patterns. So, the next time you exceed speed limits, your insurer will be gathering the evidence so that fair and accurate claims can be processed. And at the manufacturing stage, the factories will be empowered to analyse real-time equipment health, contain downtimes and maximise throughput rates.

Meanwhile, Blockchain, which has struggled its way amidst speculations of jeopardise, is finally ready to prove its worth. As a peer-to-peer network, Blockchain cryptographically seals the records of transactions and eliminates the need for an external intermediary to build trust. Therefore, it fastens the processes that render real-time insights in lessened costs. Amongst the first adapters, financial technology (fintech) has a stronghold over 60% market of share.

Oracle in its recent whitepaper quotes a finding from Gartner that Blockchain could generate US$176 billion (€158.68 billion) of revenue by 2025.

So, a professional networking platform like LinkedIn, if it goes decentralised will disable making modifications to the past work experience history. This will empower the recruiters to surpass manual efforts to validate the information provided.

Whereas fintech has the backing of world banks accounting for 60% of the market share. From decentralising accounting and auditing to accurately checking the credit score before lending loans, Blockchain use cases in these areas will propel to broader implementation in 2020.

Disrupting existing business models, the following five organisations are ahead of the [...]

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Amazon, Apple, Google, and Zigbee Alliance form smart home device connectivity standard working group

Amazon, Apple, Google, and the Zigbee Alliance, have created a new working group to develop and promote a new, royalty-free connectivity standard to increase compatibility among smart home products. Security will be a fundamental design tenet.

Zigbee Alliance board member companies such as IKEA, Legrand, NXP Semiconductors, Resideo, Samsung SmartThings, Schneider Electric, Signify (formerly Philips Lighting), Silicon Labs, Somfy, and Wulian are also on board to join the working group and contribute to the project.

The goal of the Connected Home over IP project is to simplify development for manufacturers and increase compatibility for consumers. The project is built around a shared belief that smart home devices should be secure, reliable, and seamless to use.

By building upon Internet Protocol (IP), the project aims to enable communication across smart home devices, mobile apps, and cloud services and to define a specific set of IP-based networking technologies for device certification.

The industry working group will take an open-source approach for the development and implementation of a new, unified connectivity protocol. The project intends to use contributions from market-tested smart home technologies from Amazon, Apple, Google, Zigbee Alliance, and others.

The decision to leverage these technologies is expected to accelerate the development of the protocol and deliver benefits to manufacturers and consumers faster.

The project aims to make it easier for device manufacturers to build devices that are compatible with smart home and voice services such as Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, Google’s Assistant, and others. The planned protocol will complement existing technologies, and working group members encourage device manufacturers to continue innovating using technologies available today.

Project Connected Home over IP welcomes device manufacturers, silicon providers, and other developers from across the smart home industry to participate in and contribute to the standard.

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The smart RV brings convenience to the open road

Thanks to the advances of technology, the open road sees more and more nomads taking to roads less travelled. The global RV market will reach $64.25 billion (€57.95 billion) by 2024, according to market trends.

While there are quite a few caravan parks that accommodate travellers and provide great amenities such as full hookups, showers and laundry facilities, caravaners have to rely mostly on the amenities provided onboard their motorhome.

Thanks to technology such as the Internet of Things (IoT), campers now have access to a connected set-up that allows them to enjoy the comfort of amenities even if they’re out in the middle of a moor.

Ramp Up Your Security

IoT can be a great help for those who need to keep their motorhome safe while they’re in the middle of nowhere. A simple CCTV and smart device setup that makes use of mobile data will allow travellers to rest at ease when they use a different mode of transport to explore their surrounds or have to leave the RV alone for an extended period. This is also handy for those who have pets and need to keep an eye on them while running errands.

Exterior cameras can also be used for other safety measures, such as backing up out of tight spaces or navigating through dense thickets or on tricky roads.

Take Advantage Of The Convenience Options

Owners can take advantage of the convenience aspect of IoT for motorhomes by configuring their setup to up the convenience game. This means linking lighting, gas supply, and even the thermostat to the network in order to keep an eye on all of it from a central location.

While this may not seem like much, every added convenience in an RV can make a difference after spending the whole day on the road. It also helps to know that there are different classes of motorhomes, which means that the basic conveniences will change from one class to another.

The WiFi Coverage Has Other Benefits Too

One of the first steps for RV owners to hook up to an IoT network is to have access to a good mobile WiFi network. While this is a necessity for an IoT network, it also allows travellers to be connected to the internet even in remote locations. This may not be foolproof, as even the most reliable internet provider might not reach more remote locations.

In this instance, it’s important to create a system that allows the devices to still function even if the IoT network is offline. However, when drivers are within range of a network, it allows them to spend time in the great outdoors without worrying that they’re missing out on news back home.

For RV owners, the level of tech and interconnectivity to an IoT network is on the rise. From safety monitoring to simply adding layers of convenience, it’s a no-brainer for those who have access to a mobile WiFi network.

The author of this blog is Jocelyn Brown, a freelance technology writer

About the author

Jocelyn Brown is a freelance writer and mother. She loves the freedom that comes with freelancing and the versatility it allows her in covering many different topics and themes. When not at work she enjoys running, hikes in the country and making the most of family time.

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New ‘uncrackable’ security system to revolutionise privacy launched by UK, Saudi and US academics

A new, reputedly “uncrackable security system” has been created by researchers at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), and the USA’s Centre for Unconventional Processes of Sciences (CUP Sciences). According to its creators, the system is set to revolutionise communications privacy.

The international team of scientists have created optical chips that enable information to be sent from user to user using a one-time, unhackable communication that achieves ‘perfect secrecy’, allowing confidential data to be protected more securely than ever before on public classical communication channels.

The proposed system uses silicon chips that contain complex structures that are irreversibly changed to send information in a one-time key that can never be recreated nor intercepted by an attacker.

The technology overcomes the major threat of quantum computers, which are soon predicted to be able to crack existing communication methods, uses existing communication networks and takes up less space on networks.

The results, published in the scientific journal Nature Communications, are said to open a new pathway towards implementing ‘perfect secrecy’ cryptography at the global scale with contained costs.

First author, professor Andrea di Falco of the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of St Andrews, says: “This new technique is absolutely unbreakable, as we rigorously demonstrated in our article.

“It can be used to protect the confidentiality of communications exchanged by users separated by any distance, at an ultrafast speed close to the light limit and in inexpensive and electronic compatible optical chips.”

Current standard cryptographic techniques allow information to be sent quickly but can be broken by future computers and quantum algorithms. The research team says their new method for encrypting data is unbreakable and uses existing communication networks, taking up less space on the networks than traditional encrypted communications.

All current encryptions will be broken

Leader of the study, Dr Andrea Fratalocchi, associate professor of Electrical Engineering at KAUST, say “With the advent of more powerful and quantum computers, all current encryptions will be broken in very short time, exposing the privacy of our present and, more importantly, past communications.

“For instance, an attacker can store an encrypted message that is sent today and wait for the right technology to become available to decipher the communication.

“Implementing massive and affordable resources of global security is a worldwide problem that this research has the potential to solve for everyone, and everywhere. If this scheme could be implemented globally, crypto-hackers will have to look for another job.”

Perfect secrecy

The new technique achieves ‘perfect secrecy’ meaning a hacker will never be able to access the information contained in the communication.

Keys generated by the chip, which unlock each message, are never stored and are not communicated with the message, nor can they ever be recreated, even by the users themselves, adding extra security.

Dr Aluizio Cruz, co-founder and CEO at Centre for Unconventional Processes of Sciences (CUP Sciences) in California and study author, says: “This system is the practical solution the cyber security sector has been waiting for since the perfect secrecy theoretical proof in 1917 by Gilbert Vernam.

“It’ll [...]

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Power generation in Russia: IoT predictive analytics saves lives not just profits

In western Europe you may think of security of power supply in terms of keeping the regulator happy and avoiding fines. In the extreme cold of Russia and Kazakhstan says Jeremy Cowan, the focus is on saving lives by avoiding unexpected shutdowns in power generation.

This isn’t just hyperbole. A huge explosion in a Russian hydro-electric power plant a few years ago caused a massive power outage and lives were lost in the cold weather as a direct result.

So it was instructive to talk to a team from ROTEC JSC recently, to hear how they have been digitalising the Russian power generating sector since 2015 and have gained some solid results. The PRANA system is already installed on 22 combined cycle generating units and combustion turbine units with capacity of more than 3.2GW all over Russia and in Kazakhstan. Connected equipment value exceeds US$4 billion.

PRANA can detect faults up to two to three months before an incident occurs. Only one month is needed to install and set up the PRANA Predictive Analytics and Remote Monitoring System on any industrial object. Used on a wide range of equipment from various manufacturers, PRANA is independent from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

“In 2011 we started research into remote monitoring of power generating equipment,” says ROTEC’s Alexander Levin. “But monitoring is not enough, it is crucial to avoid unexpected shutdowns. Power companies would be heavily fined in Russia if these occurred, because it’s not just monetary losses, in the extreme cold people would die.”

ROTEC now monitors 22 plants in Russia and one in Kazakhstan. And there are other applications in the oil & gas industry. Using new acoustic emission methods, the company can monitor large pipes, storage tanks and other equipment upstream in the oil & gas supply line.

According to Maxim Lipatov, technical director of the PRANA project, “Sulzer is one of our key customers, providing services for gas turbines from various OEMs like Siemens and GE. For every unit of equipment we build a mathematical model and collect data which we compare with an ideal model. Temperatures, oil and fuel pressures, and other crucial information is coming live from Russian plants 24/7. So, if something is wrong, our experts can tell what action to take.”

Maxim Lipatov, ROTEC: Enterprises are now transparent.

Lipatov showed your correspondent a tablet carrying live data feeds from power generation clients. On one screen were the 10 most important system discrepancies. “We can see it may be a defect or perhaps a degradation of a system. Engineers can have time to plan maintenance work, and so save a lot of money,” says Lipatov. “If you are an equipment owner you can see the status continuously, all parameters and data are logged and it shows how people react to your alarms. Therefore, enterprises are now transparent. We have over 300 models, they are all unique for every turbine, compressor and boiler.”

“We are independent from the OEMs and more objective,” adds Levin. “Our system unites all the different manufacturers’ equipment.” And, as the slide above shows, ROTEC works with diverse equipment from a [...]

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New digital cockpit concept launched by partners Mobica and Mediatek

Global software services company Mobica, has collaborated with Mediatek, to deliver what is said to be an innovative integrated Digital Cockpit concept.

Their solution, built on the Android Automotive platform, enables automotive OEM data ownership retention and runs on a single SoC (system-on-chip).The solution was developed using Google’s Android Open Source Project (AOSP) to allow OEMs to retain data IP for future monetisation strategies.

The Integrated Digital Cockpit runs both the cluster HMI and Android IVI on a single SoC MediaTek Autus I20 (MT2712) enabling further cost-savings for automotive OEMs.

The solution was developed using Google’s Android Open Source Project (AOSP) to allow OEMs to retain data IP for future monetisation strategies. The Integrated Digital Cockpit runs both the cluster HMI and Android IVI on a single SoC MediaTek Autus I20 (MT2712) enabling further cost-savings for automotive OEMs.

The cluster HMI displays driver notifications through ADAS (Advanced Driver-assistance Systems), a speedometer, guided navigation manoeuvres, tell-tales and media information. The IVI system provides TomTom connected navigation, media player, phone integration and 360 degree parking assistant camera with image stitching.

Wolfram Ries, VP of automotive sales at Mobica says: “Mobica has deployed it’s virtualisation, systems integration, and Arm IP expertise to create a next-generation, personalised, multi-domain HMI. All of which are then executed on a single Arm-based system-on-chip from Mediatek, chosen for its high performance and power efficiency.

“We are delighted our solution illustrates the combined capabilities of Arm, Google AOSP, TomTom Navigation Software, MediaTek, and Mobica in delivering a next generation in-car experience,” he adds.

Mobica exhibited this solution in the Automotive Zone, at the Arm TechCon Expo in San Jose, an immersive event that welcomed more than 3,500 global technology leaders to explore new IoT and automotive solutions.

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Veego’s Crystal Ball Foresees Smart Home Support in 2020

NEW YORK – December 17, 2019 – Veego Software, an Israel-based startup that brings artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies to enable self-care in the smart home, today unveiled its predictions for smart-home support in the coming year.

According to Ovum’s Smart Home Forecasts, the number of households with installed smart home devices will grow by 60% over the next five years, totaling 590m households and an installed base of 7.7bn devices. Over the same period, revenue from device sales and smart home services will grow by 45%, totaling $153bn, making it one of the fastest growing markets in the TMT sector.

“This rapid increase in connected and smart devices will bring significant value to the consumer through new use-cases and ways of delivering services, products and digital applications into the home,” stated Ovum’s Michael Philpott. “However, they will also make the home a more complex place to live. When things go wrong, it will be beyond the capability of the average consumer to solve problems. The burden is likely to fall on service providers.”

“The smart home industry is progressing rapidly and service provider support organizations need to keep up with the changes to stay relevant,” declared Denis Sirov, Veego CTO. “New smart home infrastructure is developing to support the rise in adoption which, in turn, is placing increased pressure on service and support systems.”

Here are four industry-changing smart home support trends that Veego predicts for 2020:

Smart-home problems will move toward the edges of the service delivery chain. The perception today is that most of the problems that degrade a smooth experience in the connected home are due to WiFi issues. However, as better WiFi products solve more of those problems, other problem locations are growing in relative size (absolute, as well). In addition to the in-home WiFi, these problems can occur anywhere along the chain from the cloud, through the internet, into the router, or in the devices themselves. Adept service providers will have to gain an acute level of visibility across the entire service delivery chain, detecting problems at any link and analyzing root cause accurately – or waste a fortune on faulty support remedies.

Self-care will be embraced by service providers and subscribers. Until now, numerous lengthy calls to the service provider support center have become compulsory for dealing with subscriber problems with their smart devices and services. As the number of connected devices per home increases sharply, along with the services they consume, the mass and complexity of support calls is rising precipitously, soon to render the trend unsustainable, cost- and personnel-wise. To cope in 2020, a growing number of support issues will be transferred to the subscribers themselves in the form of self-care. Artificial Intelligence will be the main enabling technology that will either resolve problems automatically, in real time at the source, or that will make helpful recommendations to subscribers for self-help. The AI will make use of smart speakers, voice assistants, chatbots and smartphones to communicate with subscribers directly, obviating many of those wasteful phone calls to the support center.

Service providers will be compared and evaluated less by the technical details of their internet service and more by the quality of useful services brought to end devices. The traditional metrics will be less critical to subscribers in 2020. The size of the package, in terms of Mbs, or internet speed, will be of minor importance. Instead, subscribers will differentiate between service providers by their ability to support a smooth experience for streaming, gaming and the other services that are growing in use and importance in the connected home.

Installation of mesh networks will cause more inter-dwelling interference. The traditional in-home hub-and-spoke network architecture, where all devices communicate via a central router, is giving way to mesh architectures with numerous extenders in the home. Mesh networks introduce many more antennas and, with them, greater potential for interference. Establishing a properly working mesh network within one home stands to affect the radio signals in the networks of neighbors. These types of problems are transient and hard to reproduce, not to mention resolve.

“Veego foresees a very vibrant smart home industry in the coming year. We look forward to supplying service providers with the breakthrough support technologies they will need to cope with going forward,” stated Sirov.

About Veego

Veego puts an end to malfunctions in the smart home, autonomously discovering devices and services, and resolving problems before customers even experience them. The company’s SaaS solution provides smart-home service providers with visibility into the quality of the customer experience. Utilizing its breakthrough AI along with its unique Global Malfunction Library, Veego automatically detects, analyzes and resolves problems, perfecting the customer experience in the smart home. With Veego, support calls are deflected and shortened, truck rolls are reduced, and unnecessary hardware replacements are eliminated. To learn more, please visit www.veego.io.

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Veego’s Crystal Ball Foresees Smart Home Support in 2020

NEW YORK – December 17, 2019 – Veego Software, an Israel-based startup that brings artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies to enable self-care in the smart home, today unveiled its predictions for smart-home support in the coming year.

Here are four industry-changing smart home support trends that Veego predicts for 2020:

Smart-home problems will move toward the edges of the service delivery chain. The perception today is that most of the problems that degrade a smooth experience in the connected home are due to WiFi issues. However, as better WiFi products solve more of those problems, other problem locations are growing in relative size (absolute, as well). In addition to the in-home WiFi, these problems can occur anywhere along the chain from the cloud, through the internet, into the router, or in the devices themselves. Adept service providers will have to gain an acute level of visibility across the entire service delivery chain, detecting problems at any link and analyzing root cause accurately – or waste a fortune on faulty support remedies.

Self-care will be embraced by service providers and subscribers. Until now, numerous lengthy calls to the service provider support center have become compulsory for dealing with subscriber problems with their smart devices and services. As the number of connected devices per home increases sharply, along with the services they consume, the mass and complexity of support calls is rising precipitously, soon to render the trend unsustainable, cost- and personnel-wise. To cope in 2020, a growing number of support issues will be transferred to the subscribers themselves in the form of self-care. Artificial Intelligence will be the main enabling technology that will either resolve problems automatically, in real time at the source, or that will make helpful recommendations to subscribers for self-help. The AI will make use of smart speakers, voice assistants, chatbots and smartphones to communicate with subscribers directly, obviating many of those wasteful phone calls [...]

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