#Programmable IoT Button

[james34111]

The Evolution of Digital Timer Clock: From Simple Timers to Smart Devices

Timekeeping has been an essential part of human civilization, evolving from sundials and hourglasses to highly sophisticated digital devices. Among these advancements, digital timer clocks have transformed the way we manage time in daily life. From basic countdown timers to intelligent, programmable devices integrated with smart technology, digital timer clock have come a long way. In this blog, we will explore their evolution and how they have become an indispensable tool in modern life.

The Early Days: Simple Digital Timers

The first digital timer clocks were basic in function, designed primarily for counting up or down within a set time frame. These early devices emerged in the mid-to-late 20th century as electronic components became more accessible. Unlike traditional mechanical timers, digital timers used LED or LCD screens to display time more accurately. They were commonly found in kitchens, laboratories, and industrial settings where precise timing was required.

The primary appeal of these early digital timers was their ease of use and improved accuracy compared to analog timers. Users could set a countdown with the push of a button, and the timer would alert them when time was up. Though simple, these devices laid the foundation for more advanced digital timer clocks.

The Rise of Programmable Timer Clocks

As technology advanced, digital timer clocks became more sophisticated, introducing programmable features that allowed users to set specific time intervals for various tasks. This development was particularly beneficial for industries that required automation, such as manufacturing and agriculture.

Programmable timers could be used to control machinery, irrigation systems, and home appliances, making them highly versatile. In households, digital timer clocks became essential for managing lighting systems, coffee makers, and heating or cooling units. This level of automation improved efficiency and convenience, reducing the need for manual intervention.

Integration with Smart Technology

The latest evolution in digital timer clocks is their integration with smart technology. With the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), timer clocks have become more advanced, offering remote control capabilities through smartphone apps and voice assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri.

Smart digital timers now feature Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, enabling users to schedule tasks from anywhere. For example, homeowners can program lights to turn on at specific times, ensuring security and energy efficiency. In industrial applications, smart timers help optimize production schedules, reducing downtime and operational costs.

The Future of Digital Timer Clocks

As artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning continue to evolve, digital timer clocks are expected to become even more intelligent. Future advancements may include predictive scheduling, where timers learn user habits and automatically adjust settings for optimal performance. Additionally, integration with renewable energy sources may enable smart timers to optimize energy consumption, contributing to sustainability efforts.

Conclusion

The journey of digital timer clock from simple countdown devices to smart, AI-powered tools reflects the rapid technological advancements in time management. Whether for personal, commercial, or industrial use, these devices continue to enhance efficiency and convenience. As technology progresses, digital timer clocks will likely become even more intuitive, further revolutionizing the way we manage time.

[kaushikengworks]

Top Features to Look for in a Ready Mix Concrete Batching Plant

Choosing the right ready mix concrete batching plant is critical for ensuring the quality and efficiency of construction projects. With numerous options available, identifying key features that align with project requirements is essential. Partnering with trusted construction equipment manufacturers can make all the difference in finding a solution that meets your needs. Below, we explore the top features to look for in a ready mix concrete batching plant.

Capacity and Output

The capacity of a batching plant determines its suitability for different project scales. Whether it’s a small residential project or a large-scale infrastructure development, selecting a plant with an output capacity that matches your needs is essential to maintain efficiency and prevent delays.

Accuracy and Consistency in Mix

Consistency is paramount in ready-mix concrete production. Look for a batching plant that offers high precision in ingredient measurement, ensuring uniform quality in every batch. Advanced weighing systems and accurate mixing mechanisms can help achieve this.

Automation and Control Systems

Automation in batching plants simplifies operations and enhances productivity. Automated systems reduce manual intervention, minimize errors, and improve overall efficiency. Key features include programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and user-friendly interfaces.

Features of Modern Control Systems

Modern control systems bring sophistication to batching plants. Features such as real-time monitoring, remote control, and data logging enable operators to maintain optimal plant performance. Integration with IoT technologies is an added advantage for enhanced operational control.

Material Handling and Storage

Efficient material handling and storage systems ensure seamless operations. Features like separate compartments for aggregates, cement silos with proper ventilation, and advanced conveyors contribute to better management of materials and reduce wastage.

Energy Efficiency

Energy-efficient designs not only reduce operational costs but also contribute to environmental sustainability. Look for plants equipped with energy-saving components such as variable frequency drives (VFDs) and optimized power consumption systems.

Mobility and Flexibility

For projects requiring frequent site changes, mobile ready-mix concrete batching plants are ideal. Their compact designs, easy assembly, and disassembly processes offer unmatched flexibility.

Durability and Maintenance

Investing in a durable batching plant minimizes downtime and ensures long-term performance. Features like corrosion-resistant materials, robust construction, and easy-to-access components for maintenance enhance the lifespan of the equipment.

Compliance with Environmental Regulations

With stringent environmental standards, it’s crucial to choose a batching plant that adheres to regulations. Dust collectors, water recycling systems, and noise-reduction features are essential for minimizing the environmental impact.

Safety Features

Safety should never be compromised. Modern batching plants come with features like emergency stop buttons, enclosed moving parts, and warning alarms to ensure operator safety and prevent accidents.

Cost-Effectiveness

Balancing quality with cost-effectiveness is key when selecting a batching plant. Assess the total cost of ownership, including initial investment, operational costs, and maintenance expenses, to make an informed decision.

Contact a Reliable Construction Equipment Manufacturer

Partnering with a trusted construction equipment manufacturer is essential for ensuring quality and after-sales support. Reliable manufacturers provide tailored solutions, training, and maintenance services to help you maximize the efficiency of your ready-mix concrete batching plant.

Read More: Top Features of a Ready Mix Concrete Batching Plant

By considering these features, you can choose the perfect batching plant that enhances productivity, ensures consistency, and delivers long-term value for your projects.

[adhunik45]

In today's rapidly evolving industrial landscape, efficiency, safety, and precision are paramount. Central to achieving these goals is the use of sophisticated electrical control panels. These panels are the backbone of modern automation systems, ensuring smooth operation and control of various electrical processes. At Adhunik Automation India, we specialize in designing and manufacturing top-notch electrical control panels that meet the diverse needs of industries across the country.

What is an Electrical Control Panel?

An electrical control panel is a critical component in electrical systems that houses various devices for controlling and monitoring electrical circuits. It typically includes circuit breakers, contactors, relays, and programmable logic controllers (PLCs). These panels are used to manage electrical distribution, protect equipment from faults, and ensure reliable operation of machinery.

Importance of Electrical Control Panels

Centralized Control: Electrical control panels provide a centralized location for controlling and monitoring electrical systems. This centralization simplifies management and reduces the risk of operational errors.

Enhanced Safety: By incorporating safety features such as circuit breakers and emergency stop buttons, control panels help protect both personnel and equipment from electrical hazards.

Improved Efficiency: Modern control panels come equipped with advanced technologies such as PLCs and variable frequency drives (VFDs), which enhance the efficiency of machinery and processes.

Real-Time Monitoring: With integrated monitoring systems, control panels enable real-time tracking of electrical parameters, allowing for immediate response to any issues that arise.

Adhunik Automation India: Pioneers in Electrical Control Panels

At Adhunik Automation India, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of electrical control panel technology. Our panels are designed to cater to a wide range of industrial applications, from manufacturing to process automation. Here’s why our control panels stand out:

Custom Design and Engineering: We understand that every industry has unique requirements. Our team of experts works closely with clients to design customized control panels that meet specific operational needs and standards.

High-Quality Components: We use only the highest quality components in our control panels to ensure durability and reliability. Our panels are built to withstand harsh industrial environments and provide long-term performance.

Advanced Technology Integration: Our control panels incorporate the latest technologies, including IoT connectivity, data logging, and remote monitoring. This integration allows for smarter operations and better decision-making.

Compliance and Certification: All our control panels are designed to meet national and international standards. We ensure compliance with safety and performance regulations to provide our clients with peace of mind.

Support and Maintenance: We offer comprehensive support and maintenance services to ensure the continued efficiency of our control panels. Our team is available for troubleshooting, repairs, and upgrades, helping to minimize downtime and maximize productivity.

Applications of Electrical Control Panels

Electrical control panels are versatile and find applications in various sectors, including:

Manufacturing: Control panels manage production lines, automated machinery, and quality control systems.

Process Industries: In sectors like oil and gas, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, control panels monitor and regulate complex processes.

Building Automation: They are used in commercial buildings to control lighting, HVAC systems, and security systems.

Energy Management: Control panels are essential in power generation and distribution, ensuring efficient and reliable energy use.

Future Trends in Electrical Control Panels

As technology continues to advance, the future of electrical control panels looks promising. Innovations such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced analytics are expected to further enhance the capabilities of control panels. Adhunik Automation India is committed to staying ahead of these trends, continually improving our offerings to meet the evolving needs of our clients.

Conclusion

Electrical control panels are indispensable in the modern industrial world, offering centralized control, enhanced safety, and improved efficiency. At Adhunik Automation India, we are dedicated to providing cutting-edge control panel solutions that drive success and innovation. Whether you're looking for custom-designed panels or advanced technology integration, we have the expertise and experience to deliver exceptional results. Contact us today to learn more about how our electrical control panels can revolutionize your operations.

[rockwoodworkshop]

New Innovations in Hydraulic Ironworker Technology: What’s Happening in the UAE?

The construction industry in the UAE has seen a lot of new technology in recent years, with hydraulic ironworkers leading the way. As the demand for durable, efficient, and versatile ironworker machines in UAE grows, innovative solutions are emerging to boost productivity and performance. Hydraulic ironworkers, especially those from top manufacturers like Rockwood Workshop Machines, are transforming how metal fabrication is done in the UAE. Let’s explore the latest innovations in hydraulic ironworker technology and their impact on the UAE market.

1. Enhanced Precision and Automation

Modern hydraulic ironworkers in the UAE now come with advanced automation systems that greatly enhance precision and reduce manual work. These systems use computers and programmable controls to handle repetitive tasks like punching, shearing, and bending. This level of automation ensures that each task is performed accurately, cutting down on mistakes and reducing material waste.

For companies in the UAE, these new automated features in hydraulic ironworkers mean more consistent product quality and higher production rates. For example, Rockwood Workshop Machines has added advanced automation to their hydraulic ironworkers in the UAE, making it easier to handle complex tasks reliably. This innovation is especially useful for large projects where accuracy and efficiency are crucial.

2. Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

Energy efficiency is now a major focus in the design of hydraulic ironworkers in the UAE. New models are built to use less power while still providing the same or even better performance. These machines often have energy-saving modes and advanced hydraulic systems that use power more efficiently.

In the UAE, where sustainability is important for both the government and businesses, these energy-efficient hydraulic ironworkers support environmental goals. Companies that choose Rockwood Workshop Machines, known for their eco-friendly practices, can save on energy costs and help promote greener construction methods.

3. Integration with Smart Technology

The addition of smart technology to hydraulic ironworkers in the UAE is a significant advancement. Modern machines now come with IoT (Internet of Things) features that allow them to connect to central systems for real-time monitoring and diagnostics. This smart technology helps with predictive maintenance by identifying potential issues before they cause downtime.

For businesses in the UAE, this means fewer interruptions and lower maintenance costs. Rockwood Workshop Machines is leading this trend, offering hydraulic ironworkers with smart sensors and connectivity features to improve machine management and streamline maintenance processes.

4. Improved Safety Features

Safety is a major focus in the design of hydraulic ironworkers in the UAE. New models feature improved safety guards, emergency stop buttons, and advanced sensors to prevent accidents. These machines come with multiple safety mechanisms to protect operators from potential dangers.

In the UAE, where safety regulations are strict, these updates help companies meet local standards and ensure safer work environments. Rockwood Workshop Machines includes top-notch safety features in their hydraulic ironworkers, making sure users can operate the equipment with minimal risk.

5. Versatility and Customization

The latest hydraulic ironworkers in the UAE offer increased versatility and customization. These machines can handle a wide range of metalworking tasks, including punching, shearing, bending, and notching. Many models also come with customizable tools and attachments, allowing users to adapt the hydraulic ironworker for various jobs.

For businesses in the UAE, this versatility means one hydraulic ironworker can manage many different tasks, saving space and reducing the need for multiple machines. Rockwood Workshop Machines stands out in this area, offering hydraulic ironworkers with a broad range of customizable features to meet the specific needs of different industries.

6. User-Friendly Interfaces

Operating hydraulic ironworkers in the UAE has become much easier thanks to user-friendly interfaces. Modern hydraulic ironworkers now feature intuitive touchscreens and simple control panels, making it easier for operators to set up and monitor the equipment. This improvement helps reduce the learning curve and boosts productivity.

In the UAE, where skilled workers can be scarce, these easy-to-use interfaces ensure that operators of various skill levels can effectively use hydraulic ironworkers. Rockwood Workshop Machines provides hydraulic ironworkers with straightforward interfaces, making operation and training simpler.

7. Durability and Build Quality

Durability is very important in the design of hydraulic ironworkers in the UAE, especially in tough environments. Recent improvements use strong materials and advanced manufacturing methods to make these machines more durable and long-lasting.

For industries in the UAE that work with heavy materials and challenging conditions, investing in durable hydraulic ironworkers is crucial. Rockwood Workshop Machines is known for making high-quality, long-lasting hydraulic ironworkers that can handle even the harshest working conditions.

Conclusion

Hydraulic ironworker technology has seen impressive advancements, offering major benefits to the UAE's construction and metalworking industries. Improvements in precision, automation, safety, and energy efficiency are enhancing efficiency and productivity. Rockwood Workshop Machines, with its cutting-edge hydraulic ironworkers in UAE, exemplifies these advancements.

As the UAE continues to develop its industrial and construction sectors, staying updated with these technological innovations will be crucial for businesses wanting to stay competitive. Investing in the latest hydraulic ironworkers in the UAE not only keeps up with current trends but also ensures long-term success in a rapidly evolving market

[norvisrilanka]

Arduino PLC | MQTT End Device | Industrial IoT device manufacturer | norvi.lk

How Programmable IoT Devices Operate

Having access to the most dependable and effective hardware speeds up the completion of your project. The ability to programme flexibly.

ESP32 Ethernet Device

When using ESP32 Ethernet, the NORVI ENET series is the best option because it has industrial-grade I/O and voltages. Both wireless and cable connectivity to the network are offered by ESP32 Ethernet. 

Industrial Arduino Mega

The NORVI Arita is an enhanced version of the NORVI Series. Five conventional variants with a choice of two potent microprocessors are offered. Arita is built to deliver all of the micro-controller's performance while maintaining reliability. It works with practically all industrial input and output formats. 

Arduino based Industrial Controller

Arduino IDE-programmable

Integrated OLED and customizable buttons for HMI

The ability to programme flexibly

LED signals for simple diagnosis

Applications Using a Programmable MQTT Device and Ultra Low Energy Batteries

Agent One Industrial Controllers are available for low power applications as well; STM32L series microcontroller-controlled devices are employed in ultra low power applications, where the devices must be powered by batteries for an extended period of time. When a device goes to sleep, the Agent One BT family is specifically built with transistor outputs to turn off external sensors.

Wall mount IoT Node

The NORVI SSN range is designed for independent installations in industrial settings with a focus on tracking sensor data or parameters from external devices. The implementations are made simple by the attachments for wall installation and pole mount. 

NORVI Controllers

Our Address :

ICONIC DEVICES PVT LTD

Phone : +94 41 226 1776  Phone : +94 77 111 1776

E-mail : info@icd.lk / support@icd.lk

Web : www.icd.lk

Distributors

USA

Harnesses Motion LLC

1660 Bramble Rd. Tecumseh, MI

49286, United States

Phone : +1 (734) 347-9115

E-mail : rgoldy@harnessedmotion.com

EUROPE

CarTFT.com e.K.

Hauffstraße 7

72762 Reutlingen

Deutschland

Phone : +49 7121 3878264

E-mail : sales@cartft.com MQTT End Device | Arduino PLC | Analog Input | Wireless sensor | ModBus MQTT gateway | Industrial IoT device manufacturer | WiFi Data logger

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Unauthorized Bread: Real rebellions involve jailbreaking IoT toasters

"Unauthorized Bread"—a tale of jailbreaking refugees versus IoT appliances—is the lead novella in author Cory Doctorow's Radicalized, which has just been named a finalist for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's national book award, the Canada Reads prize. "Unauthorized Bread" is also in development for television with Topic, parent company of The Intercept; and for a graphic novel adaptation by Firstsecond, in collaboration with the artist and comics creator Jennifer Doyle. It appears below with permission from the author.

The way Salima found out that Boulangism had gone bankrupt: her toaster wouldn’t accept her bread. She held the slice in front of it and waited for the screen to show her a thumbs-up emoji, but instead, it showed her the head-scratching face and made a soft brrt. She waved the bread again. Brrt.

“Come on.” Brrt.

She turned the toaster off and on. Then she unplugged it, counted to ten, and plugged it in. Then she menued through the screens until she found RESET TO FACTORY DEFAULT, waited three minutes, and punched her Wi-Fi password in again.

Brrt.

Long before she got to that point, she’d grown certain that it was a lost cause. But these were the steps that you took when the electronics stopped working, so you could call the 800 number and say, “I’ve turned it off and on, I’ve unplugged it, I’ve reset it to factory defaults and…”

There was a touchscreen option on the toaster to call support, but that wasn’t working, so she used the fridge to look up the number and call it. It rang seventeen times and disconnected. She heaved a sigh. Another one bites the dust.

The toaster wasn’t the first appliance to go (that honor went to the dishwasher, which stopped being able to validate third-party dishes the week before when Disher went under), but it was the last straw. She could wash dishes in the sink but how the hell was she supposed to make toast—over a candle?

Just to be sure, she asked the fridge for headlines about Boulangism, and there it was, their cloud had burst in the night. Socials crawling with people furious about their daily bread. She prodded a headline and learned that Boulangism had been a ghost ship for at least six months because that’s how long security researchers had been contacting the company to tell it that all its user data—passwords, log-ins, ordering and billing details—had been hanging out there on the public internet with no password or encryption. There were ransom notes in the database, records inserted by hackers demanding cryptocurrency payouts in exchange for keeping the dirty secret of Boulangism’s shitty data handling. No one had even seen them.

Boulangism’s share price had declined by 98 percent over the past year. There might not even be a Boulangism anymore. When Salima had pictured Boulangism, she’d imagined the French bakery that was on the toaster’s idle-screen, dusted with flour, woodblock tables with serried ranks of crusty loaves. She’d pictured a rickety staircase leading up from the bakery to a suite of cramped offices overlooking a cobbled road. She’d pictured gas lamps.

The article had a street-view shot of Boulangism’s headquarters, a four-story office block in Pune, near Mumbai, walled in with an unattended guard booth at the street entrance.

The Boulangism cloud had burst and that meant that there was no one answering Salima’s toaster when it asked if the bread she was about to toast had come from an authorized Boulangism baker, which it had. In the absence of a reply, the paranoid little gadget would assume that Salima was in that class of nefarious fraudsters who bought a discounted Boulangism toaster and then tried to renege on her end of the bargain by inserting unauthorized bread, which had consequences ranging from kitchen fires to suboptimal toast (Boulangism was able to adjust its toasting routine in realtime to adjust for relative kitchen humidity and the age of the bread, and of course it would refuse to toast bread that had become unsalvageably stale), to say nothing of the loss of profits for the company and its shareholders. Without those profits, there’d be no surplus capital to divert to R&D, creating the continuous improvement that meant that hardly a day went by without Salima and millions of other Boulangism stakeholders (never just “customers”) waking up with exciting new firmware for their beloved toasters.

And what of the Boulangism baker-partners? They’d done the right thing, signing up for a Boulangism license, subjecting their process to inspections and quality assurance that meant that their bread had exactly the right composition to toast perfectly in Boulangism’s precision-engineered appliances, with crumb and porosity in perfect balance to absorb butter and other spreads. These valued partners deserved to have their commitment to excellence honored, not cast aside by bargain-hunting cheaters who wanted to recklessly toast any old bread.

Salima knew these arguments, even before her stupid toaster played her the video explaining them, which it did after three unsuccessful bread-authorization attempts, playing without a pause or mute button as a combination of punishment and reeducation campaign.

She tried to search her fridge for “boulangism hacks” and “boulangism unlock codes” but appliances stuck together. KitchenAid’s network filters gobbled up her queries and spat back snarky “no results” screens even though Salima knew perfectly well that there was a whole underground economy devoted to unauthorized bread.

She had to leave for work in half an hour, and she hadn’t even showered yet, but goddamnit, first the dishwasher and now the toaster. She found her laptop, used when she’d gotten it, now barely functional. Its battery was long dead and she had to unplug her toothbrush to free up a charger cable, but after she had booted it and let it run its dozens of software updates, she was able to run the darknet browser she still had kicking around and do some judicious googling.

She was forty-five minutes late to work that day, but she had toast for breakfast. Goddamnit.

The dishwasher was next. Once Salima had found the right forum, it would have been crazy not to unlock the thing. After all, she had to use it and now it was effectively bricked. She wasn’t the only one who had the Disher/Boulangism double whammy, either. Some poor suckers also had the poor fortune to own one of the constellation of devices made by HP-NewsCorp—fridges, toothbrushes, even sex toys—all of which had gone down thanks to a failure of the company’s cloud provider, Tata. While this failure was unrelated to the Disher/Boulangism doubleheader, it was pretty unfortunate timing, everyone agreed.

The twin collapse of Disher and Boulangism did have a shared cause, Salima discovered. Both companies were publicly traded and both had seen more than 20 percent of their shares acquired by Summerstream Funds Management, the largest hedge fund on earth, with $184 billion under management. Summerstream was an “activist shareholder” and it was very big on stock buybacks. Once it had a seat on each company’s board—both occupied by Galt Baumgardner, a junior partner at the firm, but from a very good Kansas family—they both hired the same expert consultant from Deloitte to examine the company’s accounts and recommend a buyback program that would see the shareholders getting their due return from the firms, without gouging so deep into the companies’ operating capital as to endanger them.

It was all mathematically provable, of course. The companies could easily afford to divert billions from their balance sheets to the shareholders. Once this was determined, it was the board’s fiduciary duty to vote in favor of it (which was handy, since they all owned fat wads of company shares) and a few billion dollars later, the companies were lean, mean, and battle ready, and didn’t even miss all that money.

Oops.

Summerstream issued a press release (often quoted in the forums Salima was now obsessively haunting) blaming the whole thing on “volatility” and “alpha” and calling it “unfortunate” and “disappointing.” They were confident that both companies would restructure in bankruptcy, perhaps after a quick sale to a competitor, and everyone could start toasting bread and washing dishes within a month or two.

Salima wasn’t going to wait. Her Boulangism didn’t go easily. After downloading the new firmware from the darknet, she had to remove the case (slicing through three separate tamper-evident seals and a large warning sticker that threatened electrocution and prosecution, perhaps simultaneously, for anyone foolish enough to ignore it) and locate a specific component and then short out two of its pins with a pair of tweezers while booting it. This dropped the toaster into a test mode that the developers had deactivated, but not removed. The instant the test screen came up, she had to jam in her USB stick (removing the toaster’s hood had revealed a set of USB ports, a monitor port, and even a little Ethernet jack, all stock on the commodity single-board PC that controlled it) at exactly the right instant, then use the on-screen keyboard to tap in the log-in and password, which were “admin” and “admin” (of course).

It took her three tries to get the timing right, but on the third try, the spare log-in screen was replaced with the pirate firmware’s cheesy text-art animation of a 3-D skull, which she smiled at—and then she burst into laughter as a piece of text-art toast floated into the frame and was merrily chomped to crumbs by the text-art skull, the crumbs cascading to the bottom of the screen and forming shifting little piles. Someone had put a lot of effort into the physics simulation for that ridiculous animation. It made Salima feel good, like she was entrusting her toaster to deep, serious craftspeople and not just randos who liked to pit their wits against faceless programmers from big, stupid companies.

The crumbs piled up as the skull chomped and the progress indicator counted up from 12 percent to 26 percent then to 34 percent (where it stuck for a full ten minutes, until she was ready to risk really bricking the damned thing by unplugging it, but then—) 58 percent, and so on, to an agonizing wait at 99 percent, and then all the crumbs rushed up from the bottom of the screen and went back out through the skull’s mouth, turning back into toast, each reassembled piece forming up in ranks that quickly blotted out the skull, and the words ALL DONE burned themselves into the toast’s surface, glistening with butter that ran down in rivulets. She was just grabbing for her phone to get a picture of this awesome pirate load-screen when the toaster oven blinked and rebooted itself.

A few seconds later, she held a slice of bread to the toaster’s sensor and watched as its light turned green and its door yawned open. Halfway through munching the toast, she was struck by an odd curiosity. She held her hand up to the toaster, palm out, as though it, too, were a slice of bread. The toaster’s light turned green and the door opened. She was momentarily tempted to try and toast a fork or a paper towel or a slice of apple, just to see if the toaster would do it, but of course it would.

This was a new kind of toaster, a toaster that took orders, rather than giving them. A toaster that would give her enough rope to hang herself, let her toast a lithium battery or a can of hairspray, or anything else she wanted to toast: unauthorized bread. Even homemade bread. The idea made her feel a little queasy and a little tremorous. Homemade bread was something she’d read about in books, seen in old dramas, but she didn’t know anyone who actually baked bread. That was like gnawing your own furniture out of whole logs or something.

The ingredients turned out to be incredibly simple, and while her first loaf came out looking like a poop emoji, it tasted amazing, still warm from the little toaster, and if anything, the slice (OK, the lump) she saved and toasted the next morning was even better, especially with butter on it. She left for work that day with a magical, warm, toasty feeling in her stomach.

Read the rest:

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/01/unauthorized-bread-a-near-future-tale-of-refugees-and-sinister-iot-appliances/

[planetarduino]

Say hello to the new Arduino Oplà IoT Kit: Experience the Internet of Things in your hands!

We’re excited to announce the launch of the Arduino Oplà Kit, the first open programmable IoT platform that allows you to add smart connectivity to the devices around your home or workplace and build custom IoT devices. 

The Oplà IoT Kit contains all the hardware necessary to create eight connected applications, access to an online platform with assembly instructions, and a 12-month subscription to the Arduino Create Maker Plan. This kit is perfect for beginners with basic DIY experience, while more advanced users can leverage it to customize and hack their smart applications and devices, with full control of their data and processes. 

Eight out-of-the-box projects to connect your home or workplace

The projects included in the Oplà IoT Kit enable users to turn everyday appliances into smart appliances, which can be controlled remotely on a mobile phone: 

Remote Controlled Lights — Change color, light modes, and switch on/off

Personal Weather Station — Record and monitor local weather conditions

Home Security Alarm — Detect motion and trigger warnings

Solar System Tracker — Retrieve data from planets and moons in the solar system

Inventory Control — Track goods in and out

Smart Garden — Monitor and manage the environment for your plants

Thermostat Control — Smart control for heating and cooling systems

Thinking About You — Send messages between the kit and the Arduino IoT Cloud

Create, connect, control. The Internet of Things has never been so easy! 

No soldering is required with the Oplà IoT Kit, which is based on a MKR IoT carrier with an OLED color display, on-board environmental sensors and capacitive touch buttons. The kit also includes a MKR WiFi 1010 board, a circular plastic enclosure and supporting accessories, such as two cables, a motion sensor, a moisture sensor, and a USB cable. 

To build applications, users can rely on the Oplà online platform. Each project includes goals, an intro to the components, step-by-step instructions with illustrations and videos to guide you through assembling the product and building the code. 

Finally, the kit acts as the physical interface of the Arduino IoT Cloud and comes with a 12-month subscription to the Arduino Create Maker Plan, offering unlimited compilation time and extended access to all the features of the Arduino IoT Cloud. 

“When creating the Oplà IoT Kit, we wanted to design a platform that would allow anyone to gain a complete experience of what the Internet of Things has to offer around the home or workplace and I really believe we have achieved this. It is a great kit for users to build custom devices and enjoy being creative, no matter your level of experience,” says Arduino CEO Fabio Violante. “With this launch, we take yet another step towards lowering the barrier to entry for IoT development and cannot wait to see the projects created by users embracing connected devices both in their homes and at work.” 

The Oplà IoT Kit is available on the Arduino online store.

Say hello to the new Arduino Oplà IoT Kit: Experience the Internet of Things in your hands! was originally published on PlanetArduino

[swarupkumarnath07]

Basic Understanding of Arduino

Arduino

Hi everyone! In this blog post, I’m going to share with you some basics of Arduino, an amazing open-source platform for building electronics projects. Arduino is one of my favorite tools for prototyping and experimenting with different ideas. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, Arduino has something for you!

Arduino consists of two main parts: a physical programmable circuit board (often called a microcontroller) and a piece of software (or IDE) that runs on your computer. The IDE is used to write and upload computer code to the board. The code tells the board what to do, such as reading inputs from sensors, buttons, or online sources, and turning them into outputs, such as activating motors, LEDs, or publishing something online.

Arduino is very easy to use and learn. You don’t need any prior experience in electronics or programming to get started. Arduino has a huge community of makers, students, hobbyists, artists, programmers, and professionals who share their projects and knowledge online. You can find thousands of tutorials, examples, libraries, and forums to help you with your Arduino journey.

Arduino is also very versatile and flexible. There are many different types of Arduino boards that suit different needs and applications. You can also connect Arduino to various components and modules to extend its functionality and create amazing things. Some examples of what you can do with Arduino are:

- Build a robot that can avoid obstacles or follow a line - Make a smart home device that can control lights, temperature, or security - Create a musical instrument that can play sounds or melodies - Design a wearable device that can sense your heart rate or movement - Develop an IoT project that can communicate with other devices or cloud services

And much more!

If you are interested to understand more about the Arduino, then you can go through the PiEmbSysTech Arduino Tutorial Blog. If you have any questions or query, that you need to get answer or you have any idea to share it with the community, you can use Piest Forum.

Happy making!

[lighting-philips]

WHAT ARE CONNECTED LIGHTING SYSTEMS?

The connected lighting system (CLS) technology is still in its early stages of development, so there are still many unknowns regarding its functionality, its ability to conserve energy, and if it will provide enough advantages and value-added features to make the investment worthwhile. 

Several DOE studies are now in progress to identify and solve the technology development needs of CLS. The linked lighting test bed (CLTB), created and run by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, is crucial to this research (PNNL). The findings of technical feasibility investigations conducted by the CLTB help to build industry standards and model specifications by increasing visibility and transparency about what works and what doesn't. They also alert technology developers to necessary modifications. 

Connected lighting test bed 

Equipment for both indoor and outdoor lighting can be installed on the connected lighting test bed (CLTB). For mounting indoor lighting luminaires, there are two different ceiling grids available. Each has a vertically adjustable height, making it simple to install and allowing you to select different luminaire heights. Plug-and-socket interfaces for rapid electrical connections, circuit-level power, and energy metering are in the electrical panels that feed the grids. 

Power over Ethernet (PoE) luminaires can be supplied by distributed PoE switches in the ceiling grids or centralized buttons in the CLTB Information Technology room, depending on their position. Building mock rooms that make it easier to assess how obstructions affect wireless communication and sensor performance is made possible by modular wall and flooring solutions. 

Again, plug-and-socket interfaces make it simple to make electrical connections. The CLTB also features a specific infrastructure for luminaires used for street lighting and wireless communication gateways needed for remote monitoring and configuration. Thanks to electrical switching infrastructure, specific circuits in ceiling grids and outdoor iot connected lighting infrastructure can be connected to programmable power sources instead of the electrical panel. This makes it easier to assess how resilient lighting devices are to electrical anomalies and other factors. 

How are entrepreneurs revolutionalizing the connected lighting industry? 

In 2014, LED adoption had already begun when Sam Sinai, a co-founder of Deco Lighting, and his business partners asked about the "What If" issue. This question has been the catalyst for several entrepreneur-inspired product revolutions. 

If Deco were successful in integrating wireless technology into every fixture's power source, the institution would no longer be a static component of the building's infrastructure but rather an intelligent device capable of gathering and disseminating information, being controlled and automated in support of energy efficiency mandates, and capable of a variety of other tasks. Sinai considered the solid-state and digital trace left by the LED technology in this instance and pondered what might have been. 

Sinai and the Deco Lighting team have been painstakingly working to create and introduce a ground-breaking connected lighting platform since they were granted a patent in 2017. With the help of wireless driver technology, this creative strategy makes linked iot connected lighting benefits accessible to the estimated 97% of the market that previously thought it was too complicated and expensive. 

Because it maintains, controls, and monitors lighting systems, INTERACT is the finest option if you're looking for a reputable connected lighting software brand.

https://www.interact-lighting.com/ E-mail: natasha.tandon@signify.com Call us: 000 800 050 7777

[leadupofficial]

Will show you how to use BLE communication in ESP32 Controllers. Things used in this project Hardware componentsM5Stack M5StickC ESP32-PICO Mini IoT Development BoardM5Stack - M5Stamp PICO×1Arduino 101×1Software apps and online servicesArduino IDE Story Hey, what's up, Guys! Pradeep here In this tutorial, I'm going to show you how to trigger actions with Bluetooth using M5Stamp PICO and M5Stick C which are very cheap and High efficient ESP32 Controllers. Components Required: M5Stick C M5Stamp PICO What are M5Stick and M5Stamp? M5Stack is a technology company that designs and manufactures anopen-source development toolkit, including hardware, programming platform, and IoT solutions. It was founded by Jimmy Lai in 2017 and isbased in Shenzhen, China. M5Stack created the M5Stick and M5Stamps, which are both based on the ESP32 controller. The M5Stick C features an embedded TFT display and battery, while the M5Stamp has a small footprint and can be used in a variety of IoT products. M5StickC is a mini M5Stack, powered by ESP32. It is a portable, easy-to-use, open-source, IoT development board. It is an ESP32 development board with 0.96 inch TFT color screen (80 * 160 resolution), Red LED, button, Microphone, IR transmitter, 6-axis IMU (SH200Q), and 80 mAH battery. The ESP32 module ESP32-Pico in M5StickC also has a built-in 4MB flash. If the M5StickC is equipped with a watch base and watch belt, you can wear it on your wrist. It is built in a continually growing hardware and software ecosystem. It has a lot of compatible modules and units, as well as the open-source code & engineering communities that will help you maximize your benefits in every step of the developing process. Power switch operation: Power on: Press the power button for 2 seconds Power off: Press the power button for 6 seconds The input range of VBUS_VIN and VBUS_USB is limited to 4.8-5.5V, and the internal battery will be charged through AXP192 power management when VBUS is powered. STAMP-PICO features an ultra-compact design with two low-power Xtensa® 32-bit LX6 microprocessors at 240MHz on a PCB as tiny and delicate as a postage stamp. low power consumption. It is ideal for any space-constrained or battery-powered devices such as wearables, medical devices, sensors, and other IoT devices. 1, MULTIFORM: 5 options of installation, means endless possibilities! (SMT, DIP, flywire, grove interface), with a high-temperature resistant plastic shell, 3D antenna and components can be better protected. 2, LOW-CODE DEVELOPMENT: STAMP-PICO supports UIFlow graphical programming platform, scripting-free, cloud push; and fully compatible with Arduino, MicroPython, ESP32-IDF, and other mainstream development platforms to quickly build various applications. 3, HIGH INTEGRATION: STAMP-PICO contains a 5V->3.3V DC/DC port, GPIOx12, programmable RGB light x1, button x1, and finely tuned RF circuit, providing stable and reliable wireless communication. 4, STRONG EXPANDABILITY: Easy access to M5Stack's hardware and software ecology system: a wealth of sensors, actuators, functional modules, and accessories to choose from, and Extremely fast adaptation. Set up M5Stamp and M5Stick with Arduino IDE by following these instructions. https://docs.m5stack.com/en/quick_start/m5core/arduino Flow : M5Stick C will act as a BLE transmitter, while M5Stamp PICO will act as a BLE receiver. When Button A on the M5Stick is pressed, the M5Stamp's LED turns green. Coding for Transmitter: #include #include "BLEDevice.h" #include "BLEUtils.h" #include "BLEServer.h" #include "BLEBeacon.h" BLEAdvertising *pAdvertising; // BLE Advertisement type struct timeval now; #define GPIO_DEEP_SLEEP_DURATION 1 // sleep x seconds and then wake up RTC_DATA_ATTR static time_t last; // remember last boot in RTC Memory RTC_DATA_ATTR static uint32_t bootcount; // remember number of boots in RTC Memo

ry #define BEACON_UUID "87b99b2c-90fd-11e9-bc42-526af7764f64" // UUID 1 128-Bit (may use linux tool uuidgen or random numbers via https://www.uuidgenerator.net/) void setBeacon() BLEBeacon oBeacon = BLEBeacon(); oBeacon.setManufacturerId(0x4C00); oBeacon.setProximityUUID(BLEUUID(BEACON_UUID)); oBeacon.setMajor((bootcount & 0xFFFF0000) >> 16); oBeacon.setMinor(bootcount & 0xFFFF); BLEAdvertisementData oAdvertisementData = BLEAdvertisementData(); BLEAdvertisementData oScanResponseData = BLEAdvertisementData(); oAdvertisementData.setFlags(0x04); // BR_EDR_NOT_SUPPORTED 0x04 std::string strServiceData = ""; strServiceData += (char)26; // Len strServiceData += (char)0xFF; // Type strServiceData += oBeacon.getData(); oAdvertisementData.addData(strServiceData); pAdvertising->setAdvertisementData(oAdvertisementData); pAdvertising->setScanResponseData(oScanResponseData); void setup() M5.begin(); Serial.begin(115200); M5.Lcd.setTextColor(YELLOW); //Set the font color to yellow. 设置字体颜色为黄色 M5.Lcd.setRotation(3); M5.Axp.ScreenBreath(10); M5.Lcd.setTextColor(RED); M5.Lcd.setCursor(3, 10); M5.Lcd.setTextSize(2); void loop() M5.update(); M5.Lcd.setCursor(3, 10); if (M5.BtnA.wasReleased()) M5.Lcd.setTextColor(GREEN); M5.Lcd.println("Triggred"); Serial.println("Trigger mode"); // Create the BLE Device BLEDevice::init("BLE Receiver 01"); // Create the BLE Server BLEServer *pServer = BLEDevice::createServer(); // start(); Serial.println("Advertizing started..."); delay(1000); pAdvertising->stop(); M5.Lcd.fillScreen(BLACK); M5.Lcd.setCursor(3, 10); Upload the above code to your M5Stick C Controller. Coding for Receiver: #include "Arduino.h" #include #include #include #include #include // How many leds in your strip? #define NUM_LEDS 1 #define DATA_PIN 27 // Define the array of leds CRGB leds[NUM_LEDS]; String knownBLEAddresses[] = "24:a1:60:53:06:3e"; int RSSI_THRESHOLD = -100; bool device_found; int scanTime = 1; //In seconds BLEScan* pBLEScan; class MyAdvertisedDeviceCallbacks: public BLEAdvertisedDeviceCallbacks void onResult(BLEAdvertisedDevice advertisedDevice) for (int i = 0; i < (sizeof(knownBLEAddresses) / sizeof(knownBLEAddresses[0])); i++) if (strcmp(advertisedDevice.getAddress().toString().c_str(), knownBLEAddresses[i].c_str()) == 0) device_found = true; break; else device_found = false; Serial.printf("Advertised Device: %s \n", advertisedDevice.toString().c_str()); ; void setup() Serial.begin(115200); //Enable UART on ESP32 FastLED.addLeds(leds, NUM_LEDS); // GRB ordering is typical Serial.println("Scanning..."); // Print Scanning BLEDevice::init(""); pBLEScan = BLEDevice::getScan(); //create new scan pBLEScan->setAdvertisedDeviceCallbacks(new MyAdvertisedDeviceCallbacks()); //Init Callback Function pBLEScan->setActiveScan(true); //active scan uses more power, but get results faster pBLEScan->setInterval(100); // set Scan interval pBLEScan->setWindow(99); // less or equal setInterval value void loop() BLEScanResults foundDevices = pBLEScan->start(scanTime, false); for (int i = 0; i < foundDevices.getCount(); i++) BLEAdvertisedDevice device = foundDevices.getDevice(i); int rssi = device.getRSSI(); Serial.print("RSSI: "); Serial.println(rssi); if (rssi > RSSI_THRESHOLD && device_found == true) Serial.println("Triggred"); leds[0] = 0xf00000; FastLED.show(); delay(200); // Now turn the LED off, then pause leds[0] = 0x00f000; FastLED.show(); delay(200); pBLEScan->clearResults(); // delete results fromBLEScan buffer to release memory In the above code, you have to change the BLE Address of your M5Stick C. Here I have added my M5Stick C's BLE Address. Change th

is according to yours. Outcome: Once the Transmitter and Receiver codes have been uploaded to the M5Stick and M5Stamp, connect the M5Stamp to your PC and open the serial monitor, then click the button A on the M5Stick C, which will display Triggered on the TFT Display. Check the Serial Monitor Results whenever you see a triggered message in your M5Stick C. The name of the ESP Transmitter, RSSI, and Triggered Message will be displayed on the serial monitor. The Green led on the M5Stamp will blink. The Green led will blink every time the button is pressed. Code Github repository for the project Repo not found. Make sure the repo is public!

[thedesithakur23]

All About ESP32 Development Board with Wi-fi & Bluetooth and AMICA Node MCU ESP8266 Module

The ESP32 Development Board with Wifi and Bluetooth is a low-footprint, minimal system development board powered by the latest ESP-WROOM-32 module and can be easily inserted into a solderless breadboard.

It includes the ESP-entire WROOM-32's basic support circuitry, including the USB-UART bridge, reset and boot-mode buttons, an LDO regulator, and a micro-USB connector. The developer has access to every important GPIO.

Projects That You Can Do With The ESP32 Development Board With Wifi And Bluetooth:-

Universal low-power IoT sensor hub

Home automation.

Mesh network.

Industrial wireless control.

Sensor networks.

Smart Socket.

Wi-Fi speech recognition device.

AMICA Node MCU ESP8266 Module:-

The AMICA Node MCU is an excellent Wi-Fi chip that can be used in a variety of wireless applications. Arduino-style hardware io that is interactive and programmable. The board's Micro USB slot can be directly connected to a computer or other USB host devices. It is a great way to add internet connectivity to any embedded project.

Projects That You Can Do With The AMICA Node MCU ESP8266 Module:-

Internet Smoked Alarm

VR Tracker

Octopod

Serial Port Monitor

ESP Lamp

Incubator Controller

IoT home automation

Security Alarms

[messungsmart]

Next Big Thing; Home Automation

Technology is rapidly transforming the way we live, mostly with precision and the added benefit of convenience, comfort, and peace of mind. Home automation has been around for a long time, including washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerators. We've come a long way since then. In truth, technology has advanced significantly in the closing decades of the previous century and the early decades of this century. It has lost its utilitarian appearance and acquired a supernatural atmosphere. As they say, "necessity is the mother of invention," and here we are in the twenty-first century when technology has advanced to the point that automation – whether home or commercial – is on the increase and will be unavoidable in the near future.

The next big thing in home construction and renovation is Messung home automation, and it's already here. The main purpose is to minimise human effort. Messung Smart Home Automation Products make activities faster and easier. Automation has progressed from faster and more convenient to today – smart and remote – in terms of lowering electricity use, carbon emissions, and indirect costs. Automation can also prepare appliances ahead of time to cut wait periods, such as geysers and ovens.

With the advancement of the Internet of Things, often known as IoT, the notion of home automation has changed dramatically over time. IoT items can learn our home technology preferences, connect wirelessly to a remotely available app or programme, and automate our homes, making them smarter. From safeguarding homes to measuring usage in real-time to remotely activating and deactivating gadgets, with Messung KNX Based Automation you can now let people into your home or business without being present by simply pressing a single button on your phone screen. As always, the main goal of Best Home Automation Company in Pune is to make life simpler, easier, and more efficient. On a particularly hot day, turn on the fan with a remote control or your smartphone. Let Messung Automation handle it for you. We can't switch colours or brightness in light (with a tiny hardware modification – changing the bulb) because the UI of a remote is on a phone and not necessarily a physical one. You own the power, and home automation allows you to explore endless possibilities. Another important issue is maximising house security, which opens up a plethora of possibilities that are now being researched all over the world.

Voice activation is a new capability with Alexas, Siris, and Google Homes all around the world. The ability to say what you mean.' While the algorithm adapts your preferences in the background and tries to tailor your life as much as possible. Not only are homes becoming smarter, but smartness is also being embedded into them.

Upgrade your life and home with the best home automation company in Pune, Messung Smart. 

[hometheatremelbourne]

Ways to Enjoy Your Smart Home Automation Systems in Bentleigh

Smart Home Automation systems in Bentleigh is an in-home living and leisure experience built on IoT technology applications. The Position Systems detect people and objects and connect various types of machinery, allowing users to control programmes and schedule network actions.

Smart home automation systems can control various areas of your home, such as lighting, climate, home cinema packages, and appliances, as well as monitor switches, door contact, motion & light sensors, and so on. The entire system is linked and guided by an iOS or Android app, allowing for complete secure remote control.

It Provides Several Solutions, Including:

Motorised Blinds

You'll be able to raise and lower blinds on-demand or according to a pre-programmed smart scenario, whether you already have smart automatic blinds and window coverings in your home or want to integrate luxury fabrics and designs. Home automation integrates with tens of thousands of third-party devices, allowing you to control the amount of light that enters your house.

Intelligent Lighting

You may brighten and dim lights in any room of the house by just pressing a button on a smartphone app, tablet, or on-wall keypad. Homeowners may regulate lights on the go or automate them as needed - external lighting can switch on automatically at nightfall to provide an extra layer of security.

Theatre at Home

Every audio/video component and smart device in your personalised home theatre will respond to the remote control – blinds will close automatically, lights will dim, the projection screen will roll down, and the hidden projector will lower from the ceiling, tuning to your favourite streaming movie and TV channel.

Conclusion:

With total home automation, your home can answer your every need with a single finger tap - raise or lower motorised window coverings, turn up the volume on your favourite music, stream the latest blockbuster movie, and more!

Source

[greattyranttaco]

Customized Product Development by Norvi

Visit Norvi and you will certainly receive the customized product development you deserve. Rely on this professional team and be sure to to enjoy a lot of benefits such as:

Lowered costs for scaled integration

Dedicated hardware for optimum performance

Support throughout the lifecycle

In-house prototyping

Manufacturing

The main step the experts identify is Input and Output requirements. What it should sense or actuate, decides the hardware we need to use within the device. Always count on this professional team that stands out due to the in-depth knowledge of the various types of actuators and sensors. This will make you go for the most cost effective and reliable solution. Reliable communication methods are also selected, with the power consumption, bandwidth, and cost limitations. Norvi prides itself on working with the most outstanding enclosure manufacturers around the world, to provide you the best solutions for enclosing the product for protection. This company works based on the requirements of installation, and environments so that you will get the best product range such as:

 NORVI Cema

Norvi IIOT

NORVI ENET

NORVI Arita

Agent 1

Agent 2

Expansion Modules

M11 E Series

M11 B Series

M12 B Series

M12 C Series

NORVI IIOT stands out due to many features:

ESP32-WROOM32 Module

Built-in 0.96 OLED Display

Built-in Button on front panel

Digital Inputs

Industrial Standard Analog Inputs

Relay Outputs

DIN-Rail mount

Supports Expansion port

NORVI ENET is another popular product offered by Norvi. Like NORVI IIOT, it also has its specific fetaures:

ESP32-WROOM32 Module

W5500 Ethernet Connectivity

Built-in 0.96 OLED Display

Digital Inputs

Industrial Standard Analog Inputs

Relay Outputs

DIN-Rail mount

Norvi has a skilled team with excellent skills in every phase of IoT product development. Due to the in-house manufacturing and assembly, you will be able to save a lot of time. Besides, it will also add flexibility to the process. These experts are able to respond to design changes well and workout the best for the project. The best part is that they have already worked in many IoT Devices and software platforms which means that you can always trust this product developer. You can also get the needed technical support and have a successful project. Fast turn-around time is also guaranteed. The experts have ready to use products, which you can start your concept development on, while a device is being tailor made for you.

Norvi also offers you Esp32 Based Ethernet Device for you. Order now and take advantage of this USB Programmable Industrial ESP32 with OLED Display and din-rail mount. NORVI ENET Series comes with built-in Ethernet which expands its connectivity. NORVI ENET range is the idea choice for ESP32 Ethernet implementations, where industrial level I/O and voltages are present. ESP32 Ethernet provides both Wireless and wired connections to the network. It is designed for protection and reliability. Moreover, it also complies with 2014/30/EU- Electromagentic Compatibility (EMC) Annex III, Part B, Module C (Conformity to Type Based on Internal Production Control). If you need Esp32 Based Ethernet Device or other types of devices, simply visit Norvi today!

[estimote]

Announcing LTE Beacon for asset tracking

At Estimote we believe apps of the future won’t be downloaded to phones, computers or tablets. Developers of tomorrow will use the physical world as their canvas. Precise location of people and objects will be accessed programmatically and apps will be “installed” on places.

To make this happen we are working on an Operating System for the physical world: a software environment where developers will be able to quickly build apps for one location and run the same experience on many.

Our first product, Estimote Bluetooth Beacons launched in 2013, enabled us to locate people and their phones inside buildings. To do that, we used Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), an emerging technology at the time. Our iconic design, easy-to-use software and simple APIs made them the most popular beacons for developers. Since then, more than 150,000 innovators, startups, agencies, and Fortune 500 companies have used them to create context-aware apps. They’ve built mobile solutions to increase workplace productivity, comply with safety regulations, and deliver other magical experiences at scale, something that simply can’t be accomplished without accurate microlocation.

New product from Estimote

Today we are proud to announce another revolutionary IoT device. Once again, we chose to leverage emerging IoT technologies (LTE M1 and NB-IoT) and have designed and productized a new device we call the “Estimote LTE Beacon.”

It’s a small, wireless beacon that can compute both its precise indoor and outdoor position. It can talk directly to the cloud and last multiple years on a battery.

Estimote LTE Beacons are designed primarily to seamlessly locate assets and vehicles when they move between indoor and outdoor environments. Their secure firmware/cloud software is crafted to provide true “proof of location” and “proof of delivery.”

Since the device is fully programmable using JavaScript, it can also support other creative use-cases — for example, it can act as a remotely managed iBeacon or a gateway used to configure other Bluetooth beacons.

Smartphone without a screen

The best way to think of this new IoT device is to imagine it as a small smartphone, but without a screen. It can last years between charges and the cost is similar to a beacon. It has cellular LTE connectivity, built-in GPS, and Bluetooth radio. And it is also possible to create and download apps that run on the LTE beacon.

LTE Beacon specification

To create this new device from Estimote we have integrated the best Internet of Things components, designing the most robust beacon the industry has ever seen. Below, you can find the full specification and tech details of the radio and other IoT components we have used.

PROCESSOR AND MEMORY

It has a low-power 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4 CPU with floating point unit (FPU) running at 64 MHz. There is 1MB flash with cache onboard and 256KB RAM supporting over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates. There is an additional ARM CryptoCell co-processor with a full AES 128-bit suite as well as a true random number generator for full entropy and asymmetric/symmetric hashing cryptographic services.

BLUETOOTH RADIO

We have integrated one of the newest 2.4 GHz radios. It fully supports the latest Bluetooth 5.0 standard including mesh networking, long range, and high data throughput. The radio could also support 802.15.4-based protocols such as Thread and ANT. There is an additional amplifier (+20 dB) for extended range of packet advertising (200m).

SATELLITE POSITIONING

The device has a low-power satellite signal receiver supporting American GPS, European Galileo, Russian GLONASS, Chinese BeiDou, and Japanese QZSS. It uses multi-constellation algorithms for fast and accurate fixes using all visible satellites.

LTE CONNECTIVITY

Cloud connectivity is possible using a low-power LTE IoT modem equipped with an ARM Cortex A7 (1.3 GHz) and supporting 5G-ready protocols such as LTE Cat-M1 and Cat-NB1. The peak data upload speed to the cloud is 375 KBps for LTE-M and 60 KBps for NB-IoT. The modem supports eDRX and PSM sleep cycles to reduce power consumption while enabling cloud-invoked communication with the device. The modem and the antenna support 15 bands (B1/B2/B3/B4/B5/B8/B12/B13/B18/B19/B20/B26/B28/B39) that cover virtually the entire world.

OTHER COMPONENTS

Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery lasting 2 years on default settings

USB-C compatible with USB 2.0 for fast charging

NFC-A programmable tag supporting NFC Type 2 and Type 4

3-axis accelerometer

Programmable push button for specific use-cases such as alerts

Programmable RGB LEDs

Temperature sensor

Integrated ultra-strong adhesive layer

Mounting hole for industrial deployments

Durable, non-toxic silicone enclosure

How does the LTE Beacon work?

This LTE-M device can be attached to an asset, e.g. a jet engine manufactured in a factory. When it moves across the production line, the LTE Beacon scans for Bluetooth beacons installed in the factory and reports its precise indoor location to the cloud. When loaded into a truck, it continues to report its outdoor position using satellite systems. It can also report key telemetry data such as temperature, vibration, and battery status.

When the jet engine arrives at a warehouse, it switches back to beacon-tracking for precise indoor positioning. And finally, when the product gets shipped to the end-customer it can automatically report a secure “proof of delivery” signal.

The above use case is just one example of how the LTE Beacon can be programmed to work. We have designed an entirely new way of adapting the device to support many Internet of Things applications.

Programmable beacon and micro apps

Our previous generation of beacons had really only one “app” installed—our embedded firmware. It exposed some of the settings such as range, compatible packets (iBeacon or Eddystone) or other parameters. But it wasn’t possible for our customers to “upload” their own software into the device.

The new Estimote LTE Beacon is different. We created a Web IDE in Estimote Cloud where you can program it using JavaScript. We’re exposing a bunch of APIs for you to use in the process: BLE scanning & advertising, sending & receiving data via LTE-M to/from Estimote Cloud, obtaining GPS coordinates, reading from on-device sensors, responding to the button press, etc.

When you’re done, Estimote Cloud will compile the code into a “micro-app,” and send the bytecode to the LTE beacon, where it starts being executed.

For example, if we want to program the LTE Beacon to use its Bluetooth radio to advertise both iBeacon and Eddystone at the same time, we can upload the micro app code below.

// Define your iBeacon packet var iBeaconPacket = ble.build.iBeacon('DE4E12E7-7E0F-4A6B-A4DD-AA837507FB20', 2000, 18); // Define your Eddystone-URL packet var EddystonePacket = ble.build.eddystoneURL('https://estimote.com'); // Start Bluetooth LE advertising ble.advertise(iBeaconPacket); ble.advertise(EddystonePacket).interval(500).power(4); ` ` Here is another example. This one will detect if the central button on the device was pressed, read the GPS <pre>` function sendPosition() { var { latitude, longitude } = location.getLastPosition(); cloud.enqueue('position-update', { lat: latitude, lon: longitude }); } io.press(io.button.MAIN, sendPosition); `</pre> ### Lambda expressions To accelerate the back-end prototyping and enable developers to quickly process the data received from the LTE device, we have also added an element of serverless architecture.  In addition to the micro app code, you can write another JavaScript snippet—this time, a function that sits in Estimote Cloud, and processes the data received from the LTE beacon. For example, if you want to create a “panic button” application which uses Twilio to send a text message whenever the button is pressed on the LTE-M device, here is an example micro app code and additional lambda expression. <pre>``io.press(io.button.MAIN, () =>; { // send an 'alert' event to Estimote Cloud cloud.enqueue('alert'); }); // Your Account Sid and Auth Token from twilio.com/console const accountSid = '…'; const authToken = '…'; const twilio = require('twilio')(accountSid, authToken); module.exports = async function(message) { // respond to the 'alert' event if (message.type === 'alert') { await twilio.messages.create({ body: 'There's been an alert…', to: '+1…', from: '+1…', }); } };

Of course our new product can be also programmed to send requests to user defined end-points in their own cloud enviroment.

IoT app templates

We call a pair of these two JavaScript snippets an “IoT Application,” and we have prepared a few templates you can choose from when adding a new IoT App in Estimote Cloud. With these templates, it will be possible to quickly turn the device into a GPS tracker, a cloud beacon, or a location-aware panic button.

There will be a separate blogpost on how the LTE Beacon can be programmed, so you can learn more about the entire process there. Stay tuned!

LTE-M device battery life

Since this LTE Beacon is fully programmable, battery life will depend on the micro app, the intensity of the radio usage, and also the external environment such as distance to base stations, type of connection (LTE Cat M1 or Narrowband IoT) and visibility of satellites.

For example, if we program the device to act as a GPS tracker and do nothing else other than send GPS coordinates to the cloud once a day, it will last approximately 2 years. However, if we want to get real-time position of an asset and receive GPS updates every few seconds, the device will last a few days at most.

The rule of thumb is that:

Bluetooth advertising (iBeacon/Eddystone) consumes the least power

Scanning for Bluetooth devices consumes significantly more energy

Processing satellite signals is even more power-hungry

And finally scanning and sending data over the LTE-M and Narrowband networks drains the battery the most. Note that it is still a fraction of the energy needed for cloud communication using classic voice or data sent over 3G

As part of our Cloud-based IDE, we are working on a battery usage profiler, so we will be able to help developers predict the battery consumption of their apps.

Estimote LTE Beacon also has a USB-C port and a rechargeable battery built-in, so it can be powered or recharged when necessary for applications that require a constant cloud connection or GPS/Bluetooth scanning.

Pricing and availability

We are shipping LTE Beacons as Developer Kits. Each box will include two devices and the total cost will be $129 + shipping. We can ship anywhere in the world.

Since the LTE Beacons have active data plans and talk to the LTE networks of our telecommunication partners as well as use our cloud services, there will be an additional subscription fee. For the beacons in the dev kit, it will be $2 per device per month, and the first 3 months are free. The devices can be still used and programmed without an active subscription, but the cloud connectivity won’t be possible.

PoC and Pilots

If you also need assistance building your first IoT apps using our Web IDE and APIs we are always more than happy to help. Shoot us a note at: