Creating A Safer Environment with IoT
We can get a better understanding of the world around us by consistently monitoring our environment. The Internet of Things (IoT) has enabled large-scale environmental monitoring for commercial, industrial and research purposes. New innovations are constantly in progress that will allow us to make better, safer decisions in our everyday life and protect our environment. For example, imagine how much safer roads would be if your car could warn you about upcoming road hazards such as heavy snow or black ice based on weather and road condition data. When connected to an IoT network, modern technologies can also be used to collect data for weather predictions and monitoring. Oil and gas companies can better protect marine life and ocean environments with offshore leak detection systems. On land, residents living near coal power plant facilities can feel better about the air they breathe when air-quality is consistently monitored. Sensor-2-Server (S2S) communication and networking solutions are increasingly used to help monitor the quality of the environment to prevent and actively identify a number or potentially dangerous situations, such as hazardous material leaks and fugitive emissions. From environmental impact assessments and air quality monitoring to soil dynamics analysis, S2S solutions are meant to gather data from any sensor at any point in the IoT network and bring it back to a specific location to be acted upon. With S2S technology in place, operators can consistently gather and transmit data that affects the quality of life for the world population. It’s important to find a solution that has been proven in the harshest environments – that can withstand the weather extremes and volatile elements. Understanding Your Environment in Real-Time In many applications, especially when safety is the top priority, it is critical to review timely and accurate data to ensure there are no glaring issues with the environment. S2S technologies for environmental monitoring should offer real-time information, as well as large quantities of data that can be analyzed to understand trends through predictive analytics engines. Here are some additional applications where S2S solutions can be leveraged for environmental monitoring: CBRN Monitoring for protective measures where chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear warfare hazards may be present Fugitive Emissions Monitoring for volatile organic compounds (VOC) – this is especially common in oil and gas Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) to ensure compliance with Environmental Protection Agency regulations. Subsea Monitoring for exploration, research and offshore oil and gas applications Levee Performance Testing to understand levee load capacity and prevent breaches. Water Level Monitoring to track rainfall or water levels in industrial settings. River Flow Monitoring to determine how much water flows through lakes and streams. Seismic Monitoring and volcanic monitoring to provide early detection of these events and enable authorities to warn citizens in advance to take appropriate precautionary measures. As we become increasingly connected to the world around us, we also gain visibility into the surrounding environmental conditions. This offers a wide and diverse range of industries a unique opportunity to monitor the environment in new ways and make intelligent decisions to prevent future negative impacts on the environment as a whole.
IIoT Top News: The Future of Wireless
Where wires once ruled the day, wireless data solutions are now entrenched into the very fabric of the business. It will be interesting to see what the future of wireless technology will be able to tackle. This past week, ITU Radio Communication Assembly met to figure out that very thing. The ITU only meets every three to four years, so it is important that they covered the current and expected wireless resolutions. Topping the list was a push for 5G systems expected to become a reality by 2020. 5G will offer extremely high definition video services, real-time low-latency applications and overall expansion of IoT. Yet another key point solved by the ITU meeting is that “RA-15 recognized that the globally connected world of IoT builds on the connectivity and functionality made possible by radio communication networks and that the growing number of IoT applications may require enhanced transmission speed, device connectivity, and energy efficiency to accommodate the significant amounts of data among a plethora of devices.” As the bright future of wireless grows across the globe, it will continue to evolve and transform the way we use wireless in our daily lives. ISA reported this week that automation is essential for the next-generation of industrial wireless. Businesses need to be switching to high-speed broadband wireless in order to capitalize on the technological applications available to move those industries forward. This surge to operate wirelessly has created a crowded technological highway, with everyone wanting their message to be heard. DARPA has recognized this noise and developed a RadioMap to detect radio frequency (RF) spectrum congestion. RadioMap is able to transmit this information through the radios already deployed for various reasons. This unique program helps create plans of action by identifying times when the frequency usage is jammed or clear, thus informing them of the best times to communicate. Now that the wireless traffic has been sorted, let’s consider the possibility of wireless power solutions. According to Oil Price, wireless power is already in use in some commercial spaces, and will continue to gain more support as technology improves. Michael McDonald with Oil Price boldly predicts wireless power could be used to support the massive energy needs of the defense and healthcare industries by 2016. Unfortunately, not everyone agrees that wireless technology has been a seamless transition. ECN recently asked a handful of industry experts about the challenges they face as they integrate wireless IoT into their business. For example, Vera Jorkitulppo, a senior product manager of GE’s embedded power product line at Critical Power Business, believes, “At the other end of the radio link, there will be a multitude of diverse IoT devices developed by innovative companies with new solutions to real-world consumer or industrial problems.” Now, the next-generation of wireless technology may have its challenges, but, overall, the future looks bright, so put on some shades and enjoy this evolution. Hope you enjoy this week’s reading. As always, tell us what we missed! The Future of Wireless Communication (MyBroadband) Last week, the ITU Radio Communication Assembly met to set the future direction of wireless communication. At this year’s assembly, Hans Groenendaal from mybroadband reported back that they had “reached significant decisions that will influence the future development of radio communications worldwide in an increasingly wireless environment.” Industrial Wireless Evolution (ISA) Establishing the next generation of industrial wireless classification, system requirements, I/O and network capabilities for the industry. Soliman Al-Walaie writes, “Wireless technology is an essential business enabler for the automation world.” What Wireless Networking Challenges Do You Foresee with the Onset of IoT? (ECN Mag) Jamie Wisniewski asked an assortment of experts what they see as possible wireless network problems with the integration of IoT. Greg Fyke, a marketing director of IoT wireless products at Silicon Labs, suggests that “There are three key wireless networking challenges for successful Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) implementation, including reliable communication, security and control.” Darpa’s RadioMap Detects RF Spectrum Congestion (GCN) An interconnected connected wireless world has created congested airways, thus making the management of military communication and intelligence gathering radio frequencies of critical importance. “RadioMap adds value to existing radios, jammers and other RF electronic equipment used by our military forces in the field,” said John Chapin, DARPA program manager. Will 2016 Be the Year of Wireless Energy? (Oil Price) Oil Price looks at the possibility of wireless energy being able to support defense, healthcare and other massive energy needs in the near future, maybe even by 2016. Michael McDonald’s research shows that, “Wireless power has been a dream of mankind’s for decades, but the technology finally appears to be gaining some traction.”
Guest Post: Keep the Data Flowing in Oil and Gas
By Joyce Deuley, Sr. Analyst and Director of Content at James Brehm & Associates LLC State of the Industry This year has proved challenging for oil and gas companies: falling prices, crackdowns from environmental regulations, growing concern about the destabilization of land due to fracking, as well as an increasing gap between jobs and skilled engineers to name a few issues. Royal Dutch Shell, for instance, recently terminated its plans to drill off the Arctic coast of Alaska for the “foreseeable future”—this is after $7 billion dollars and more than five years spent on exploratory drilling (with disappointing results) and the purchase of costly leases and permits for the privilege to do so (Daily Mail). The Arctic Circle has been viewed by many as a “holy grail” in terms of rich oil and gas reserves—the largely untapped Great White North, if you will. Initiatives in the Baltic have also come under discussion lately, as Russia negotiates the political quagmire it has found itself in concerning territorial disputes. Still, it isn’t all doom and gloom. Our reliance on oil and gas for manufacturing, shipping, transportation, energy, and more hasn’t dissipated—rather, it will continue to increase with the rising population and result in rapidly expanding urbanization. More food will need to be shipped globally, more cars will be driven, more homes will be heated, more materials will need to be made, etc., providing rich opportunities for oil and gas companies to invest in scalable solutions, as well as to firmly root themselves as valued players in the market. Investors, and other interested parties, are paying close attention to the oil and gas markets to better determine how best to mitigate depleted reserves and improve overall productivity and efficiency: keeping their bottom lines low and profit margins high. To pull back from an environmental and global perspective on the state of the industry, let’s instead bring it into a sharp focus with its current business challenges. Problems with efficiency include legacy pipeline and refinery infrastructure that hasn’t been updated or modernized in decades, a shortage of skilled labor as qualified engineers approach retirement, the need for increased monitoring and control across remote areas, and the mission-critical need for the aggregation, interpretation and management of unprecedented amounts of data. But, effectively managing that data can present major challenges for oil and gas providers: with so many devices at the edge, they are practically drowning in the seemingly endless flood of information that is collected. The need to find reliable data management platforms that help remove complexities associated with data visualization is critical for these companies’ ability to identify and enact valuable business decisions. What to Do About It It is no secret that the Internet of Things (IoT) has proven to be disruptive across a myriad of markets. While the technologies and principles of the IoT have been around for decades, predominantly within the manufacturing and processing industries, its relatively nascent presence within the consumer electronics and wearables markets has helped rebrand the IoT with a level of “sexiness” it previously lacked. But at the heart of the IoT is a near-obsessive desire to decrease operational and deployment costs, meet compliance regulations and to dramatically increase productivity and efficiencies. The oil and gas industry happens to be one of the largest growing areas for IoT deployments and has found many ways to benefit from connected solutions, such as pipeline and wellhead monitoring. Oil and gas pipelines can span across hundreds of miles of rugged terrain. The ability to monitor such a territory can be challenging, as harsh winters and debilitating droughts, forest fires and or heavy rains can put stress on the integrity of a pipeline, plus the remote nature of its location can prevent technicians from being able to regularly service it. Another challenge is knowing when and specifically where a problem occurs. For instance, if there is a malfunction that results in a leak along one of the more remote sections of a pipeline and there is no sensor to alert someone, we could be looking at a nightmare of a situation: environmental damages, not to mention untold amounts of costly clean up, repairs and definitive losses to the oil and gas company at large. By utilizing connected sensors along the lengths of their pipelines, oil and gas companies can overcome these challenges and monitor flow, pressure, integrity of the pipeline and more. Empowered by the IoT, oil and gas providers can receive near real-time information about their entire operation, enabling decision makers to better manage their technicians, as well as improve overall production and reduce maintenance and operational costs. As oil and gas companies wait for the stock market to pivot from $50 a barrel, they need to look seriously at implementing business solutions that are going to help them weather this lull. The IoT provides many opportunities for oil and gas providers to tighten their belts by increasing efficiencies and production, ultimately reflecting in a more cushioned bottom line. Pipeline monitoring and control applications can help reduce non-productive times by up to 30%, which is just one small example of how dynamic transformations could be made by the IoT. About Joyce Deuley As Sr. Analyst and Director of Content, Joyce researches and interprets market trends, locates opportunities for growth, and researches the current happenings in the M2M and IoT space, providing our clients with up-to-date and actionable information. Joyce specializes in technical communication, translating complex data into layperson-accessible presentations, articles, and white papers. Additionally, Joyce manages, contributes, edits, and designs our newsletter, The Connected Conversation. She currently offices out of, and is a founding member of Geekdom, a tech accelerator-like co-working space in San Antonio, TX. Previously, Joyce worked as a Secondary Researcher at Compass Intelligence, learning the M2M markets alongside James Brehm. While at Compass Intelligence, she gained experience in market research, competitive analysis, content strategy, as well as qualitative research. Joyce graduated with a B.A. in English, focusing on Professional and Technical Communication, from the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) in San Antonio. She
Ships that Sail Themselves
Is it time for ships to sail off on a journey by themselves? As the Internet of Things (IoT) connects the world, while the robotics industry continues to innovate, man and machine are merging together like never before. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have impacted a number of industries from agriculture to security. If recent news is correct, it won’t be long before autonomous cars are traveling roads alongside us. Now, organizations and government agencies around the world are actively working to bring autonomous vessels to our oceans. What can we expect from unmanned ships operating in our largest bodies of water? IoT and robotics are being considered for a variety of commercial and military purposes at sea. For most of the world, it seems autonomous ships are in the testing phase, but there are big plans in the works around the globe: The British engine maker Rolls Royce Holdings, PLC is leading the Advanced Autonomous Waterborne Applications initiative with several other organizations and universities. The company is eyeing a timeline of remotely controlled ships setting sail by 2030 with completely autonomous ships in service by 2035. The timeline will be heavily dependent upon automation technologies’ ability to carry large amount of data from ship to shore to ensure safe operations. Recently, the UK’s Automated Ships Ltd and Norway’s Kongsberg Maritime, unveiled plans for a light-duty ship for surveying, delivering cargo to offshore installations and launching and recovering smaller remote-controlled and autonomous vehicles. “This ship is considered the world’s first unmanned ship for offshore operations and is being eyed for many uses including offshore energy, fish farming and scientific industries.” In the U.S., the Navy has begun to consider autonomous ships for a number of applications, but is cautiously approaching these new technology advancements. According to National Defense Magazine, “The Navy for now appears to be in no hurry to pour big money into drone ships and submarines. And there is little tolerance these days for risky gambles on technologies.” However, the article acknowledges that robots at sea could help do the jobs that are dangerous or costly for human operators, such as hunting enemy submarines, detonating sea mines, medical evacuations and ship repairs. The European Union (EU) appears to have a vested interest in sea robotics. As infrastructure costs rise for improving rails and roads, they have begun to seek alternative ways to move large quantities of cargo. According to Maritime Executive they have, “had a long-term goal of making short sea shipping more competitive with road and rail transport, which is under stress from the transportation bottlenecks caused by increasing volumes of internal trade.” As the EU faces massive infrastructure costs to upgrade road and rail, there is increased attention and effort directed at the “motorways of the sea.” The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has been testing a robotic ship called the “Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel,” and has been running sea trials on its radar system. The radar is fastened to a parasail that enables heights of 500-1,500 feet. These are just a few of the autonomous vessel projects in the works. In order for unmanned vessels to operate, it is clear the ability to transport data in massive amounts will play a critical role in the success and safety of those sharing the sea with autonomous ships. As technologies evolve to meet these big data needs, we can eventually expect to see more unmanned vessels in the sea, improving offshore applications, making human jobs safer, and creating new efficiencies for organizations looking to optimize international trade.
IIoT Top News: What the Industry Experts Say
Living in a 24-7 news cycle, it is best to take a break from all your favorite news outlets and go back to the basics. Industry analysts today are charged with giving their audience an unbiased report of their findings, that’s why this week’s top IIoT news is dedicated to seeking out some of the industry expert opinions in this ever-changing digital world. Let’s start by looking at Ovum’s 2015 key theme for the oil & gas industry. According to Ovum, more modernization of IT platforms will continue to help reduce the disconnect from the IT stone-age equipment to the modern real-time IIoT, thus allowing companies to improve their overall decision making process. A closer look at Forrester, we find security topping the list for 2016. In a recent report, Forrester is quick to call out the shortsighted firms for not realizing the importance of implementing proper security measures to protect the collection of data. It is recommended that firms stop focusing on the lowest possible cost to secure data, and turn the focus into the best way to keep and maintain quality information safely. On another digital front, Gartner predicts that by 2016 6.4 billion IoT devices will be in use, and only sees that number soaring with an estimated 20.8 billion things connected by 2020. Overall, we heard about the need to bring ethics to data, and predictions of how data will be turned into insight and action in the coming year. Other reports included the top digital trends and how those trends fit into the new digital mesh landscape. Additionally, we learned about revolutionary IIoT operational ideas for the future and a big data forecast for 2016 and beyond. Hope you enjoy this week’s research related reading! Bringing ethics to data, a board-level agenda item (OVUM) The challenge facing companies today is, what practices should be put in place to handle the large scale, data being collected. Tom Pringle reiterates the assertive stance Ovum has taken when it comes to the ethics of big data, “If data holds the potential to benefit many, it also has the potential to harm many (as an unexpected outcome, or purposefully negative).” Forrester’s 2016 Predictions: Turn Data into Insight and Action In the 2016 Forrester predictions, Brian Hopkins, Enterprise Architecture Professional has broken the it up with three major shifts, that will help turn data into insight and action. Hopkins is quoted as saying, “Machine learning will replace manual data wrangling and data governance dirty work.” Top Ten Digital Trends Signal the Digital Mesh (Gartner) David Clearley, vice president and Gartner fellow details the top digital trends and how those trends fit into the new digital mesh landscape. The fifth trend on Gartner’s list is advanced machine learning, Clearley believes that, “Advanced machine learning is what makes smart machines appear “intelligent” by enabling them to both understand concepts in the environment, and also to learn.” This area is quickly evolving, now is the time to figure out what technologies your company needs so you can have the competitive advantage. Convergence in the Plant Asset Management (PAM) Market (Frost & Sullivan) In this detailed plan from Frost & Sullivan, they see IoT driving the next generation of improvements with predictive analytics. Furthermore, in the plant asset management (PAM) market Frost & Sullivan sees the, “Industry initiatives, including Industry 4.0, Smart Manufacturing, and applications of Internet of Industrial Things (IoT) technologies are revolutionizing operations and maintenance, enabling the cost-effective connectivity of a wide variety of asset classes.” New IDC Forecast Sees Worldwide Big Data Technology and Services Market Growing to $48.6 Billion in 2019 A new report from IDC forecasts the enormous expansion of both big data worldwide and the services market by 2019. IDC predicts that, “The Big Data market continues to exhibit strong momentum as businesses accelerate their transformation into data-driven companies.”
Staying Connected at the Ski Resort
Getting connected at the ski resort, sounds like a dream come true. We can all probably admit that we often have an expectation for Wi-Fi availability at most places we go – our hotels, coffee shops, restaurants, shopping centers and more. Now, Wi-Fi is popping up in the places we would have ruled out for connectivity several years ago. Places like golf courses, campgrounds, marinas and ski resorts. This is catching on quickly. It is becoming a necessity to offer Wi-Fi at ski resorts and this is largely due to the fact that modern technology can allow it. The rise The Internet of Things (IoT) has opened the door to not only connectivity everywhere, but data that allows us to make better decisions. There are apps available today that allow skiers to compare lift line times and identify their location on a trail map. While the concept of complete connectivity is quickly catching on, there are still challenges to overcome. For example, Wi-Fi signals can be limited in strength; especially in snow-packed, rugged outdoor environments at ski resorts where temperatures are consistently well below the freezing-point. Connectivity at the Ski Resort Because the majority of their operations are outdoors, ski resorts require a rugged Wi-Fi option. This is true for all outdoor Wi-Fi applications – whether it’s a campground, marina, golf course or any other outdoor-based business. Each will face challenges due to varying landscapes and weather extremes. These businesses looking to bring connectivity to customers need to find a shorthaul solution that is rugged and secure enough to remain connected in the most extreme elements. They also need to enable high-speed, high throughput application solutions. In addition bringing connectivity to ski resorts – we’ve seen increased adoption of industrial Wi-Fi networks for security programs and disaster response. For the skiing industry, this may be beneficial to avalanche and rescue teams. With the added ability to track skiers on the mountain, as well as send targeted warning or emergency alert messages across the network, resorts would have an additional tool in the arsenal to facilitate safety measures across wide areas. Having reliable Wi-Fi during emergency communications, especially high-speed Voice, Video, Data and Sensor (VVDS) data transport, can help ensure secure lines of communication during emergency or disasters. Additionally, resorts can leverage the secure network from VVDS enabled Wi-Fi to increase resort security. The Rugged Solution Solutions are available today that will help ski resorts stay connected. These types of technologies are used every day in highly industrial environments like oil and gas, water/wastewater and even by the military. They function in the most remote, volatile, exposed environments. Now, they can be used in innovative ways to bring connectivity to ski resorts. Whether a ski resort wants to offer Wi-Fi to guests so they can better access their skiing apps and GPS, or if it’s to create a secure communication link for emergencies and rescue efforts – these solutions are designed to ensure connectivity. They offer robust, secure transport of VVDS information over rugged, shorthaul communication networks for edge devices and outdoor assets. They are specifically designed for outdoor Wi-Fi connectivity that has been tested and proven in extreme weather and environmental conditions.
Big Data: Election Analytics and More
During the 2016 election season, we’ve seen considerable media coverage on big data and predictive analytics. The access to massive quantities of data has played an increasingly important role not only for predicting the election winner, but also for driving candidates’ campaigns. During the 2012 election we saw political data science and big data leveraged by campaign managers to tap into the public opinions of the candidates. The information garnered from those data points led to decisions that shaped campaign strategies. Since 2012, we’ve seen substantial advancements in political data analytics. A recent Forbes article explains this well, “In recent years, political data analytics has advanced from simple micro targeting to true predictive data science, and the track record is good. Some of the brightest minds in the field are using massive amounts of data, complex models and advanced algorithms to determine the best way to appeal to big swathes of the electorate without alienating possible converts.” A GOP strategist recently claimed that analysts have about 400 data points stored for the average American voter and noted that they are constantly querying the database for insight. Predictive Analytics is an increasingly useful and complex practice — and it is not limited to presidential elections. It can be used in almost every industry to drive intelligent and informed business decisions. First, let’s define predictive analytics in relation to this post. This definition from TechTarget highlights the role of statistical analysis and machine learning to arrive at an actionable model: “Predictive analytics is a form of advanced analytics that uses both new and historical data to forecast future activity, behavior and trends. It involves applying statistical analysis techniques, analytical queries and automated machine learning algorithms to data sets to create predictive models that place a numerical value, or score, on the likelihood of particular events happening.” Beyond the Election With the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) we are currently seeing predictive analytics leveraged for applications across industries to help organizations make better operating decisions. Here are a few application examples recently highlighted in Forbes: Models designed to predict where crimes will be committed Predicting the price of oil Insight into how upcoming events might influence a business Predicting the probability of success for a startup Identifying trends in the academic literature Predictive Analytics and S2S Communications Today, there are technology solutions designed for intelligence-enabled decision making. Sensor-2-Server (S2S) communication solutions in particular, help meet the increasing demand for data. S2S by definition is an intelligent communication that begins at the sensor level and targets servers for specific reasons. With an intelligent communication system to enable predictive analytics, operators can leverage new technology to improve the profitability of their businesses. As an example, let’s look at the one of the predictive analytics use cases listed above– a model for predicting the price of oil. If an oil and gas company has an intelligent system in place, it can respond in real-time to its oil production levels. The data can help operators determine if production should be increased or decreased in certain areas to maximize profitability. Predictive Analytics Recap Predictive analytics engines allow organizations to analyze more data, faster. Key decision makers gain insight into trends and patterns that may be otherwise overlooked. They can make intelligent predictions that shape business operations and strategy. With the right techniques in place, an organization will make better decisions, cut costs and increase profitability. And for those who are running for public office? They now have more insight into the opinions and trends for voters than ever before. This has changed the game in a lot of ways because campaigns can be tailored to an audience based on specific data.
IoT Emerge Recap
IoT Emerge bounced on the scenes of Chicago this week. Yes, aside from the long awaited World Series win, an IoT conference was happening in this windy, action-packed town. The conference boasted two days of keynotes, technical sessions, workshops, live demonstrations, hands-on training and plenty of opportunities for networking with industry peers. The IoT Emerge mission is to continue to educate and promote cross-industry functions with a focus in Industrial IoT, smart cities and IoT engineering. Below, we’ve highlighted the best moments from the week. IoT Emerge: What have we learned? Back in 2011, research firm Gartner said the Worlds of IT and Operational Technology Are Converging. We believe IT/OT convergence is a critical concept: it promotes a single view of an enterprise’s information and employs process management tools to help ensure that every person, machine, sensor, switch, device, etc. in an organization has accurate information in the best format and at the right time. We learned optimizing the business process is vitally important. Decisions will be made in real time with higher levels of confidence because more information will be available regarding the event or condition. For example, load shed or curtailment events will be based on energy availability (IT sources) and demand throughout the distribution network (OT sources). Event management in an IT/OT converged networkwill execute as a closed loop process by targeting a feeder or substation, issuing curtailment signals to customers under that substation or feeder. This gauges real-time response and repeats as required to achieve the target reduction time. What other insights did we gain from IoT Emerge? Myths about IoT Engineering: The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is not ready to support predictive analytics With commentary from Eddie Garcia @freewavetech | Published on @ElectronicDesgn “When most people think about the IIoT, they think of machine-to-machine communications (mostly supported by RF technology) that have dominated the industrial sector for years. However, the convergence of IT and OT practices have seen intelligence moved closer to the access layer than ever before. New communication platforms have improved to the point where big data transport can come directly from the sensors at the edge (OT) all the way to the servers in the back office (IT). The industrial sector is closer than it’s ever been to supporting the future of data collection, transport, and aggregation, ultimately resulting in the huge data sets necessary to support predictive analytics at the IT/OT level.” IoT Emerge and Up-Close and Personal IoT Experience By @JKerns10 | Published on @MachineDesign “As IoT applications and case studies start piling up, some companies still wonder where the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) fits in their production lines. There’s lots of information on the internet about the IIoT, such as how IIoT worked in one application or how much a company could save by using a specific IIoT product. While examples and case studies offer ideas on how IIoT might fit your production line, having a chance to talk to experts directly about your applications and concerns can help ease concerns.” IoT Emerge: Looking ahead to the future By @IoTEmerge | Published on @cote_se IoT Emerge a chance to shed light on the possible digital future. Smart cities and Industrial IoT top the watch list. Along with the conference buzz, conference organizer Penton Publishing also launched the IoT Institute aimed at educating the growing IoT world. Color your IoT World By @IoTEmerge Coloring is not just for the kiddos. IoT Emerge worked with local Chicago artist Rawfa to create a wall sized coloring book. Conference goers got to take a break from the IoT information overload and color to their harts content. Industry thought leaders did an excellent job representing the broad range of emerging IoT applications this year, and as we move steadily toward the close of 2016, it’s clear that we can expect some exciting and innovative technology applications in the not-too-distant future.
Is Sensor-2-Server Technology the Next Big Wave for Oceanic Monitoring?
The National Geographic Society defines oceanography as, “an interdisciplinary science integrating the fields of geology, biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering to explore the ocean.” A brief history of oceanography, laid out by the National Geographic Society, begins with the first oceanographic studies completed by the H.M.S. Challenger Expedition from 1872-1876, which was the first voyage that collected data related to the oceanic environment. The more advanced forms of oceanography did not begin until World War II when the U.S. Navy studied the oceans to gain communication advantages across the Atlantic for submarine warfare. In the 1950s and 1960s, submersibles were introduced and ultimately became the technology that revolutionized oceanographic exploration. Modern technology has enabled more in depth exploration of the ocean. It offers tools to observe the environment, study the living beings living within it, and explore the unexplored. With the increasing adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT), it is safe to say that more innovation will continue to drive oceanic research and exploration as we are able to connect more sensors and devices to the equipment that helps us learn more about the vast and expansive oceans. IoT technology allows researchers to take a scientific approach to the examination of the ocean through recorded and analyzed data. Some of the technologies already in use today include, vessels and submersibles, observing systems and sensors, communication technologies, and diving technology. Sensor-2-Server Technology for Oceanic Monitoring As IoT adoption rapidly expands, and in many ways changes the way things work – researchers continue to find new and innovative ways to explore the ocean. Some technology manufacturers are offering Sensor-2-Server solutions (S2S) for monitoring and data collection. S2S is defined as intelligent communication that begins at the sensor level and targets servers for specific reasons. The concept of S2S is about creating intelligent transmission from a specific location back to the appropriate server with the appropriate intelligence to drive action for change. For oceanographic purposes, this type of technology unlocks the opportunity to incorporate more data points than ever before. Some Sensor-2-Server solutions offer platforms to host third-party applications in addition to creating the communication links for devices. This new class of wireless IoT communication solutions is starting to be adapted for oceanographic research today. Below are some real-life applications that leverage modern Sensor-2-Server technology: Communication with an ROV on the ocean over a distance of about two miles Vessel telemetry for units that operate in a variety of changing environments from quayside to middle of ocean Remote access to GPS stations in Alaska over approximately 13 miles to optimize the quality of data transfer for ocean mapping. Connecting remote coastal radar systems measuring ocean surface currents around Coral reefs during an upcoming experiment along the very remote NW Australian Coast. S2S technology will continue to lead to new and exciting ways for researchers to uncover some of the ocean’s mysteries, understand how it works, and learn the behavior of its creatures.
Hacking: A Cybersecurity Top News Edition
Hacking became a scary reality last week as we all witnessed Twitter, Airbnb, Amazon, PayPal, CNN, Spotify and Reddit simultaneously get hit with a massive Denial of Service (DoS) attack. This attack also interrupted hundreds of other sites and internet connected devices from functioning properly. For months, we’ve been hearing about the need to protect and secure our networks and devices. As the world steps further into the digital landscape, it’s clear that new advancements around cybersecurity tactics and strategies need to be addressed. Many are calling for standardization as a means to collectively thwart attacks and identify problem areas. Due to the proliferation of IoT technology and billions of connected devices, our critical infrastructure projects are those that may deserve the most attention in the short term. Read on for this week’s top cybersecurity news highlights that shine a light on the hacking aftermath and the inherent cybersecurity risks we should all be aware of in the IoT space. Exposed to Hacking Cybersecurity Experts are calling for Internet of Things Standards in Wake of Massive Attack By @ethanbaron | Published on @mercnews “In the assault Friday that blocked access to hundreds of websites, including Twitter, Airbnb, Amazon, PayPal, CNN, Spotify and Reddit, thousands of hijacked “internet of things” devices bombarded a New Hampshire company called Dyn with traffic.” The Lessons From the East Coast CyberAttack By @josephinecwolff | Published on @Slate “This is an important lesson of online security and often an incredibly difficult one to impress upon users: Even the accounts and computers and machines that you don’t care about being.” Why Businesses Need to Secure Connected Devices to Win Consumer Trust By @jeffjohnroberts | Published on @FortuneMagazine “The issue now is whether the government should do more to regulate the Internet of things (IoT), or if we can instead trust companies and the market to solve the problem.” This Attack Was Different–Cyber Threat Draws Utility Warnings By @BlakeSobczak | Published on @EENewsUpdates “Department of Homeland Security officials, who say they are investigating the attack on Dyn with the FBI, have warned that some smart-grid devices could be inadvertently swept up into attacks on other websites or key internet infrastructure.” Top Five Biggest Threats to IoT Security By Hannah Williams | Published on @cbronline “Hackers have recently been able to obtain access to a wide variety of connected devices, which has prompted new concerns over the security threats of the Internet of Things.” Cybersecurity: The Biggest Threat to Automated Trucking By @AaronHuffCCJ | Published on @CCJnow “A single point of failure, or security breach, in a supply chain has far-reaching effects for all parties. Transportation companies must therefore think beyond their own IoT network perimeter, he advises, as the march towards automation continues.” As we conclude another round of top news highlights, we hope to have opened your eyes to modern cybersecurity considerations. As technology continues to evolve, we must continue to learn how to better protect our IoT interests upon exposure to hacking.