This week in the machine to machine (M2M) space, we saw news about Jawbone’s UP fitness band joining the Internet of Things, the predicted growth of sensor fusion solutions in smartphones, Telefonica’s M2M device certification program, a former Siri developer developing SAMI for Samsung, a peek in Spireon’s fleet management solutions and more.
Jawbone’s UP fitness tracking wristband now features wireless connectivity with UP24. The update also included UP 3.0, an iOS app to collaborate with the UP24. Jawbone’s fitness tracking solutions are powered by the Fullpower-MotionX Sensor-Fusion Processor, which also powers solutions from Nike, Apple, Comcast, Pioneer and JVC. Sensor fusion, or location-based sensory capabilities, solutions are expected to grow in smartphones to one billion devices by 2016.
Telefónica recently launched its global M2M Module Certification Program, which is geared at helping Telefónica customers launch their own M2M products quicker while delivery a top quality of service by using technology that has been certified by one of the world’s top providers in Telefónica. The launch comes in the wake of dozens of different reports that all say the same thing: M2M device shipments are only going to increase as we move further into the 21st century.
Samsung made a big-deal hire for its Internet of Things (IoT) initiative. Luc Julia, the former engineer who spearheaded Apple’s Siri development, is now working for the mobile developer as vice president of Samsung's innovation lab. Julia brings to the table SAMI (Samsung Architecture for Multimodal Interactions), an online service, which will be able to provide an aggregate data from wearable computers, smart home devices and other M2M technologies.
Spireon offers M2M and fleet management solutions for many customers, but this week we focused in on two: Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) and Coca-Cola Bottling Consolidation Corporation (CBCC). JGR uses Spireon fleet-wise to manage its teams and races on any given weekend. CBCC uses Spireon’s GPS Trailer Tracking solution to reduce the use of independent truckers while also reducing the number iof company owned containers. Spireon’s latest versions of FleetLocate and VehiclePath are aimed at putting the information to manage the fleet onto smartphones and tablets. The value being not that Spireon offers a system just for the phone, but that it is enabling its existing system to be managed in the field.
While the growth of the Internet of Things is becoming more evident every day, a report from The Open Group revealed that only one-quarter of businesses are equipped for the top five technologies, including the IoT. Although about half have taken up the mobility challenge to modernize their business models and system designs, only 17 percent have begun work to embrace the Internet of Things, a term coined by digital innovation expert Kevin Ashton to describe a world in which everyday objects have an Internet presence.
Visit M2M Evolution for more stories you missed this week, and stay tuned for the latest industry reports, news and resources. Have a great weekend!
