#Smart IoT

[timestechmedia]

Join our 30-minute webinar as we explore recent advancements in audio-enabled IoT, focusing on the transformative role of Silicon Microphones for Smart IoT. Discover use cases, challenges, and solutions, empowering a fully connected world. Don't miss out on insights that shape the future of IoT technology.

[feminist-space]

"In the age of smart fridges, connected egg crates, and casino fish tanks doubling as entry points for hackers, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that sex toys have joined the Internet of Things (IoT) party.

But not all parties are fun, and this one comes with a hefty dose of risk: data breaches, psychological harm, and even physical danger.

Let’s dig into why your Bluetooth-enabled intimacy gadget might be your most vulnerable possession — and not in the way you think.

The lure of remote-controlled intimacy gadgets isn’t hard to understand. Whether you’re in a long-distance relationship or just like the convenience, these devices have taken the market by storm.

According to a 2023 study commissioned by the U.K.’s Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT), these toys are some of the most vulnerable consumer IoT products.

And while a vibrating smart egg or a remotely controlled chastity belt might sound futuristic, the risks involved are decidedly dystopian.

Forbes’ Davey Winder flagged the issue four years ago when hackers locked users into a chastity device, demanding a ransom to unlock it.

Fast forward to now, and the warnings are louder than ever. Researchers led by Dr. Mark Cote found multiple vulnerabilities in these devices, primarily those relying on Bluetooth connectivity.

Alarmingly, many of these connections lack encryption, leaving the door wide open for malicious third parties.

If you’re picturing some low-stakes prank involving vibrating gadgets going haywire, think again. The risks are far graver.

According to the DSIT report, hackers could potentially inflict physical harm by overheating a device or locking it indefinitely. Meanwhile, the psychological harm could stem from sensitive data — yes, that kind of data — being exposed or exploited.

A TechCrunch exposé revealed that a security researcher breached a chastity device’s database containing over 10,000 users’ information. That was back in June, and the manufacturer still hasn’t addressed the issue.

In another incident, users of the CellMate connected chastity belt reported hackers demanding $750 in bitcoin to unlock devices. Fortunately, one man who spoke to Vice hadn’t been wearing his when the attack happened. Small mercies, right?

These aren’t isolated events. Standard Innovation Corp., the maker of the We-Vibe toy, settled for $3.75 million in 2017 after it was discovered the device was collecting intimate data without user consent.

A sex toy with a camera was hacked the same year, granting outsiders access to its live feed.

And let’s not forget: IoT toys are multiplying faster than anyone can track, with websites like Internet of Dongs monitoring the surge.

If the thought of a connected chastity belt being hacked makes you uneasy, consider this: sex toys are just a small piece of the IoT puzzle.

There are an estimated 17 billion connected devices worldwide, ranging from light bulbs to fitness trackers — and, oddly, smart egg crates.

Yet, as Microsoft’s 2022 Digital Defense Report points out, IoT security is lagging far behind its software and hardware counterparts.

Hackers are opportunistic. If there’s a way in, they’ll find it. Case in point: a casino lost sensitive customer data after bad actors accessed its network through smart sensors in a fish tank.

If a fish tank isn’t safe, why would we expect a vibrating gadget to be?

Here’s where the frustration kicks in: these vulnerabilities are preventable.

The DSIT report notes that many devices rely on unencrypted Bluetooth connections or insecure APIs for remote control functionality.

Fixing these flaws is well within the reach of manufacturers, yet companies routinely fail to prioritize security.

Even basic transparency around data collection would be a step in the right direction. Users deserve to know what’s being collected, why, and how it’s protected. But history suggests the industry is reluctant to step up.

After all, if companies like Standard Innovation can get away with quietly siphoning off user data, why would smaller players bother to invest in robust security?

So, what’s a smart-toy enthusiast to do? First, ask yourself: do you really need your device to be connected to an app?

If the answer is no, then maybe it’s best to go old school. If remote connectivity is a must, take some precautions.

Keep software updated: Ensure both the device firmware and your phone’s app are running the latest versions. Updates often include critical security patches.

Use secure passwords: Avoid default settings and choose strong, unique passwords for apps controlling your devices.

Limit app permissions: Only grant the app the bare minimum of permissions needed for functionality.

Vet the manufacturer: Research whether the company has a history of addressing security flaws. If they’ve been caught slacking before, it’s a red flag.

The conversation around sex toy hacking isn’t just about awkward headlines — it’s about how we navigate a world increasingly dependent on connected technology. As devices creep further into every corner of our lives, from the bedroom to the kitchen, the stakes for privacy and security continue to rise.

And let’s face it: there’s something uniquely unsettling about hackers turning moments of intimacy into opportunities for exploitation.

If companies won’t take responsibility for protecting users, then consumers need to start asking tough questions — and maybe think twice before connecting their pleasure devices to the internet.

As for the manufacturers? The message is simple: step up or step aside.

No one wants to be the next headline in a tale of hacked chastity belts and hijacked intimacy. And if you think that’s funny, just wait until your light bulb sells your Wi-Fi password.

This is where IoT meets TMI. Stay connected, but stay safe."

https://thartribune.com/government-warns-couples-that-sex-toys-remain-a-tempting-target-for-hackers-with-the-potential-to-be-weaponized/

[techsikhm]

[u3core]

Shaping a Sustainable Future by Advancing ESG Goals

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Email us at: info@digitalu3.com

[techniktagebuch]

Februar 2023, Herbst 2024, Januar 2025

Abenteuer mit Home Assistant Green

Angefixt hat mich unsere Balkonsolaranlage vor zwei Jahren. Die kam mit einem Shelly PM, um Ertrag und Einspeisung zu messen. Das ließ sich dann – eingebunden in das hausinterne WLAN – jederzeit in der App des Herstellers Shelly auf dem Handy ansehen. Neben Zählern und schaltbaren Steckdosen stellt Shelly auch Temperatur- und Feuchtigkeitssensoren her. Eine sehr praktische Sache, um den Überblick darüber zu haben, wie es mit der Luftfeuchtigkeit im Bad nach dem Duschen oder mit der Temperatur im Keller aussieht. Auch das lässt sich in der App von Shelly jederzeit anschauen.

Schon spannend, jederzeit derartige Daten im Blick zu haben. Der nächste Schritt war dann ein über eine schaltbare Steckdose in Betrieb nehmbarer kleiner Batteriespeicher (eigentlich für den Outdoor-Einsatz), um von diesem aus Handys etc. über Nacht Solar laden zu können. Mit der App sind einfache Automatisierungen möglich – immer von 13 bis 14 Uhr laden, beispielsweise. Das funktioniert gut, aber hinterließ bei mir den Wunsch, das doch etwas intelligenter verschalten zu wollen.

Gleichzeitig ist der Blick auf die Daten in der App prima, aber um damit etwas anfangen zu können, etwa für Vergleiche, ist eine Handy-App ein bisschen mühsam zu bedienen.

Im letzten Herbst bin ich dann auf „Home Assistant“ gestoßen. Das ist ein Open-Source-Softwarepaket, das einen Hub für Heimautomatisierung und „Internet of Things“ darstellt. Und das erstaunlich viel kann, fast beliebig erweiterbar ist und so weiter. Ich hatte mir das Paket – das einen Server im Haus-Netz aufsetzt – für meinen Windows-Rechner heruntergeladen, etwas damit herumgespielt, festgestellt, dass auch mein Internetradio und der Nokia-Stick für den Fernseher gefunden werden, und dann beiseite gelegt. Erstens, weil es doch alles etwas komplizierter ist, und zweitens, weil ich meinen Rechner nicht 24/7 laufen lassen wollte.

Die Überlegung, das Paket statt dessen auf einem Raspberry Pi laufen zu lassen, den ich eher 24/7 in Betrieb lassen würde, scheiterte dann daran, dass die bei mir herumliegenden Raspis nicht leistungsstark genug waren. Statt dessen bin ich darauf gestoßen, dass es passgenau Hardware gibt – namentlich „Home Assistant Green“. Das ist der oben abgebildete kleine Computer, der nichts anderes kann und macht, als Home Assistant laufen zu lassen. 

Die Installation ist denkbar einfach: Ethernet und Strom anschalten, den Rechner ins Netz hängen und dann – nach etwas Installationswartezeit – unter „homeassistant.local:8123“ aus dem lokalen Netz auf die Weboberfläche von Home Assistant zuzugreifen. Dort können die verschiedenen „smarten“ Geräte eingebunden werden, zum Teil über spezialisierte Plugins und Add-ons. Was da an Daten zusammenkommt, ist dann teilweise erschreckend – auch die Bewegungssensoren meiner iOS-Geräte lassen sich einbinden, und schon habe ich mein ganz persönliches Bewegungsprofil …

Daten aus den Geräten können auf vielfältige Weise dargestellt werden – von schlichten Zahlen bis hin zu grafisch komplexeren Dingen (auch Grafana ließe sich als Add-on einbinden, das habe ich aber noch nicht ausprobiert). Zu allem, was einen Verlauf hat, gibt es automatische Verlaufsdiagramme. Und für häufige Anwendungsfälle (etwa den Energiefluss Netz/PV/Verbraucher) gibt es vorgefertige Übersichten und „Karten“. Sehr viel geht dabei in der Browser-Benutzeroberfläche; darunter liegen Konfigurationsskripte, die im Prinzip auch direkt verändert werden können.

Mit dem Zugriff auf die Skripte lässt sich allerdings auch viel Unsinn anstellen. Beispielsweise hatte ich etwas unvorsichtig eine Konfigurationsdatei verändert (letztlich, um das SSH-Modul zu aktivieren), was dann zur Folge hatte, dass „Home Assistant Green“ gar nicht mehr starten wollte. Zum Glück hat das Gerät für solche Fälle auch USB-Schnittstellen und einen HDMI-Ausgang. Damit landet man dann allerdings zunächst einmal nicht im unterliegenden Linux-System, sondern in einer Command Line, in der nur ein sehr eingeschränktes Befehlsset vorhanden ist. Gefunden habe ich dann zum Glück das Kommando „login“, das eine Shell für das Betriebssystem öffnet. Da konnte ich die vermurkste Konfigurationsdatei dann löschen und die Hardware wieder starten. (Also: nicht blauäugig mit Konfigurationsdateien herumprobieren, ohne zu wissen, was man tut …).

Abgesehen davon wirkt „Home Assistant“ jedoch recht robust. Dienste lassen sich einzeln neu starten, Fehler werden als fehlende Werte dargestellt, und die Anleitungen sind offensiv verlinkt und meist sogar halbwegs verständlich.

Nächster Schritt war für mich dann der Erwerb eines IR-Sensors zum Auslesen meines Stromzählers (bitShake SMR auf Tamota-Basis über MQTT …). Der lässt sich am Stromzähler befestigen, liest die dortige SML-Schnittstelle aus und gibt dann den aktuellen Stromverbrauch ins Hausnetz. Um die Werte nutzen zu können, musste ich zum einen die MQTT-Integration des Home Assistant in Betrieb nehmen (da war die Anleitung eher wenig hilfreich; letztlich musste an drei Stellen ein Nutzer/Passwort eingetragen werden) und zweitens herausfinden, wie Helfer-Templates funktionieren – die Daten kommen einheitslos an, und erst wenn ihnen über ein solches Template die Einheit „kWh“ und das Subsystem „Energy“ zugewiesen wird, können die Energie-Dashboards damit etwas anfangen. So richtig viel allerdings noch nicht: ohne PIN für den Zähler wird nur der kumulierte Verbrauchs- bzw. Einspeisewerte in kWh zurückgegeben, der sich entsprechend langsam ändert. Zeitlich höher aufgelöste Werte brauchen eine PIN, die ich hoffentlich vom lokalen Netzbetreiber bekomme. Erst dann ergibt das Energieflussdiagramm wirklich Sinn …

Das andere, was ich mit etwas Herumprobieren hingekriegt habe, was aber nur indirekt mit dem Home Assistant zu tun hat, ist das Einrichten einer dynamischen DNS-Zuweisung (mit Herumgebastle an den Router-Einstellungen). Das ermöglicht es, auf die Home-Assistant-Oberfläche auch von außerhalb des lokalen Netzes zuzugreifen, also z.B. unterwegs mit dem Handy, ohne zusätzliche Cloudlösungen nutzen zu müssen, die es ansonsten auch gibt. Meine dynamische DNS wollte ewig nicht funktionieren – bis ich herausgefunden habe, dass die Umleitung halt wirklich nur funktioniert, wenn ich von außen (z.B. aus dem LTE-Netz) darauf zugreife. Auch das klappt jetzt also. 

Noch nicht wirklich reingefuchst habe ich mich in die Automatisierung. Das kommt dann als nächstes Vorhaben. Dafür gibt es bei Home Assistant eine eigene kleine Programmiersprache, die Sensoren mit Aktionen verknüpfen kann (wenn Zustand X, dann schalte Gerät Y ein – also z.B. meinen Batteriespeicher immer dann, wenn die Balkonsolar-PV optimal ist. Nur: was heißt das genau?). Und vielleicht fallen mir dann auch noch Anwendungsfälle für weitere schaltbare Steckdosen ein. Und dann bräuchte ich dringend noch … 

… was ich sagen will: wer möchte, kann tief in die Mischung aus digitaler und dinglicher Welt eintauchen. Bisher scheue ich allerdings noch vor dem ganz großen Schritt hin zu smarten Heizkörperthermostaten, Rollläden, Toastern usw. zurück. Weil eigentlich gar kein Bedarf dafür da ist. 

(Till Westermayer, zuerst veröffentlicht hier: blog.till-westermayer.de/index.php/2025/01/25/abenteuer-mit-home-assistant-green/)

[innonurse]

Denmark: A significant healthtech hub

- By InnoNurse Staff -

According to data platform Dealroom, Danish healthtech firms raised a stunning $835 million in 2023, an 11% rise over the previous record set in 2021.

Read more at Tech.eu

///

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PathKeeper's innovative camera and AI software for spinal surgery (PathKeeper/PRNewswire)

Ezdehar invests $10 million in Yodawy to acquire a minority stake in the Egyptian healthtech (Bendada.com)

[sstechsystemofficial]

How IoT Application Development is Transforming Smart Cities and Homes?

IoT Application Development is becoming a major actor in transforming residential and commercial environments in the current society. The development of IoT technology has made it possible for smart homes and smart cities—where IoT-enabled smart devices cooperate to offer an improved living environment.

This change addresses sustainability, efficiency, safety, and convenience as well as others. Companies like SSTech System are setting the standard for IoT development and are causing a major change in our interaction with our surroundings.

The role of IoT application development in smart cities

The progress of smart cities depends much on IoT application development in Australia. IoT technology’s inclusion into urban infrastructure is enabling cities to grow more environmentally friendly, effective, and resident-responsive. Globally, smart city IoT solutions are being used since they offer real-time data and insights that help managers and municipal planners to make wise decisions.

Smart city traffic management is one of the main areas IoT application development is transforming. IoT-enabled smart devices let cities track traffic, ease congestion, and maximize public transit systems. This lowers carbon emissions, thereby helping to create sustainable smart cities, and enhancing the daily commute for residents.

IoT environmental monitoring is another quite important factor. Among other environmental elements, IoT development has made it possible to install sensors tracking air quality, noise levels, and water quality all around. This information is priceless in guaranteeing that city stays habitable and in enabling fast reactions to environmental hazards.

Management of Energy Another field where IoT application development is changing metropolitan environments is IoT. IoT technology lets cities maximize public building energy use, street lighting, and other infrastructure. In addition to saving money, this greatly helps a city’s total energy impact to be lessened.

Points to Consider:

Integration of Internet of things in urban areas depends on IoT application development.

Smart city traffic management and IoT environmental monitoring are key areas benefiting from IoT development.

Energy management IoT solutions contribute to the creation of sustainable smart cities.

Transforming Residential Spaces with IoT

IoT application development is changing homes as well as cities. Smart home technology is now a reality, with IoT development making homes more efficient, secure, and comfortable.

Among the most important developments in home IoT are home automation using IoT. From their smartphones or tablets, homeowners may manage lighting, heating, cooling, and even kitchen appliances by IoT-enabled smart devices. This not only adds convenience but also contributes to energy efficiency with IoT by ensuring that energy is not wasted when it is not needed.

Another area IoT technology that is significantly changing is security. IoT-powered smart home security systems let homeowners remotely operate locks and cameras, monitor their houses in real time, and get alarms about suspicious behavior. This level of security was unimaginable just a few years ago and is now becoming a standard feature in IoT applications for residential spaces.

The AI and IoT integration is improving the features of smart homes even further. IoT application development is letting homes learn from the behavior patterns of its occupants and automatically modify settings by integrating the power of artificial intelligence with IoT technology. This produces a more individualized and responsive living space.

Points to consider:

Home automation with IoT is making homes more convenient and energy-efficient.

Smart home security systems provide real-time monitoring and control for enhanced security.

The integration of AI and IoT is creating smarter, more responsive homes.

Transforming smart cities and smart homes: a unified vision

Beyond personal inventions, IoT application development offers a consistent future vision by transforming smart cities and smart homes. IoT technology guarantees that cities become more sensitive and flexible to the requirements of their citizens as they expand therefore ensure their adaptation.

This change involves creating interconnected infrastructure where IoT-enabled smart devices work together to enhance environmental monitoring, energy management, and public safety. At the same time, it personalizes smart homes for homeowners by providing automation, improved security, and energy efficiency.

Smart homes and smart cities working together produce a whole ecosystem where technology enhances macro and micro-level quality of living. Driven by IoT Application Development, this twofold shift is creating the foundation for a time when urban life and personal spaces will be linked, intelligent, and very efficient.

The future of IoT application development

IoT application development has high future prospects since ongoing technological developments will help to change smart homes and cities. Leading innovators in this transformation, organizations like SSTech system solutions should provide ever more complex solutions as IoT development advances.

One area of interest is the ongoing IoT smart city infrastructure integration. The possibilities for IoT for public safety, intelligent building management, and real-time IoT monitoring will just increase as more cities embrace IoT technologies. Safer, more efficient cities able to instantly meet the demands of their residents will result from this.

IoT app development will probably concentrate in residential environments on improving the features of IoT-enabled smart devices. We can expect more sophisticated and intuitive home automation using IoT systems. As more devices connect, the focus on IoT data privacy and security will become increasingly important.

Future IoT application development will be significantly influenced by SSTech System’s IoT solutions combined with emerging technologies like 5G and edge computing. These advancements will create faster and more reliable IoT networks, essential for the growth of smart homes and cities.

Points to consider:

The future of IoT Application Development will see continued advancements in IoT smart city infrastructure and home automation with IoT.

IoT data privacy and security will become increasingly important as the number of connected devices grows.

The integration of SSTech System IoT solutions with technologies like 5G will drive the next wave of IoT innovation.

Conclusion

The transformation of smart homes and smart cities is mostly dependent on IoT application development. From IoT smart city infrastructure to home automation with IoT, IoT technology is clearly seen in any sphere of our daily life. Leading the charge in this change are companies like SSTech System, which offers creative IoT solutions making our homes more safe, our cities more sustainable, and our life more convenient.

Looking ahead, the function of IoT application development in Australia will only become more important. The opportunities for smart cities and households are limitless as technology and IoT-enabled devices evolve. To unlock these possibilities, we need ongoing innovation, a commitment to IoT data privacy and security, and the integration of emerging technologies with IoT advancements.

Ultimately, the IoT Application Development’s transformation of our urban and residential areas marks not only a trend but also a basic change in our way of life and interaction with our surroundings. The future is smart, and IoT evolution is the guiding direction.

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[techwarelab]

Revealing the Art of Lighting with LPA Lighting: Inspiring the Next Generation

Lighting significantly impacts how our surroundings are shaped in a world where innovation is the key to advancement. LPA Lighting leads this revolutionary path, which redefines the aesthetics and usefulness of lighting settings by fusing creativity and technology.

LPA Lighting is a company that is dedicated to pushing limits and excellence, and it is constantly revolutionizing the lighting sector. Let's examine what makes them unique and the artistry that goes into their enlightening works.

Innovation Meets Craftsmanship: LPA Lighting creates experiences rather than just lights. Their commitment to quality and innovation is evident in every fixture. Their portfolio features various lighting options that fit every type of room and style, from sleek modern designs to timelessly elegant pieces.

Sustainability Fundamentals: LPA Lighting is strongly committed to sustainability above all else. Because of their environmentally sensitive design philosophy, every product is made with the environment in mind. Using sustainable materials and energy-efficient technologies, they not only lessen their carbon footprint but also encourage others to adopt environmentally conscious behaviors.

Unlocking Customization: Acknowledging that each area is distinct, LPA Lighting provides clients with adjustable options that enable them to realize their ideas. They work directly with clients to offer unique lighting solutions that exceed their expectations, whether customizing the color temperature, altering the intensity, or developing creative designs.

Innovative Technologies: LPA Lighting remains on the cutting edge of lighting technology by embracing recent developments. They use cutting-edge technologies to elevate environments and improve user experiences, from immersive lighting experiences that captivate the senses to smart lighting systems that enhance ease and control.

LPA Lighting has established a reputation for excellence over several decades. They are recognized as industry leaders because of their unwavering dedication to quality, dependability, and customer satisfaction. Customers from all over the world rely on them to provide outstanding lighting solutions that endure.

In summary, LPA Lighting is more than just a light manufacturer—they are also space sculptors, ambiance architects, and illumination pioneers. They are committed to sustainability and innovation and are constantly reshaping the lighting industry, one creative idea at a time.

[smarthome1]

Smart Homes: How to Better Explore IoT Applications?

Smart homes, made possible by the Internet of Things (IoT), embody a reality where the home environment anticipates needs, responds to preferences, and ensures security with minimal intervention. to read more

[engineervoice]

Using the Internet of Things (IoT) in manufacturing has totally changed how stuff gets done, making it way better. It’s like giving factories a major upgrade! This technology has made factories run quicker, smarter, and safer. In this article, we’ll chat about why IoT is so cool and how it’s making manufacturing awesome.

[awlservices91]

Best Warehouse Management System In India - AWL India Discover the power of End to End Warehouse Management System, streamlining your logistics journey from the first crate to the final delivery. Say goodbye to complexities & say hello to seamless efficiency. To know more, visit - https://www.awlindia.com/smart-warehouses

[udemycoursefree]

The Internet of Things (IoT): A Revolution in Connectivity

The world as we know it is rapidly transforming thanks to the Internet of Things ( IoT ). IoT is paving the way for a new era of interconnectedness, revolutionizing the way we interact with technology, and reshaping various aspects of our daily lives. In this article, we’ll delve into the concept of IoT, its diverse applications, and the significance of understanding this transformative technology. We’ll also introduce a fundamental course that will help individuals explore IoT in-depth.

[svsembedded]

Trash Alert: ESP32 - SIM800L - GPS - Enabled Smart Dustbin for Public Use

[edge-sense]

IoT for Water Management Solutions | EdgeSense

EdgeSense delivers intelligent IoT for Water Management solutions designed to monitor, control, and optimize water usage in real time. Our IoT-enabled sensors track flow, detect leaks, and offer predictive analytics to reduce waste and ensure sustainability. Ideal for industries, utilities, and smart cities seeking efficient, data-driven water management.