Ericsson, PS Solutions, CKD Dig into Agricultural IoT

According to a recent release, Ericsson, PS Solutions, and CKD Corporation, a supplier of actuation products, are collaborating on an update to the “e-kakashi” platform, which applies artificial intelligence (AI) and internet of things (IoT) technologies into agricultural processes. First introduced by PS Solutions in 2015, the second-generation e-kakashi platform will launch in March 2018.

Mikael Eriksson, Head of Ericsson Japan, said, “True collaboration is the only way to bring real automated IoT uses cases to life. The combination of PS Solutions' experience, applications and insight in the industry, along with the advanced features provided by Ericsson IoT, will create positive change for agriculture.”

With the combination of AI, IoT and cloud technology, e-kakashi is designed to maintain an ideal environment for almost any crop to grow in. Japanese manufacturer CKD Corporation, a pioneer in actuation, provides the electro/pneumatic devices that allow the IoT machinery to be controlled remotely. The platform is designed to integrate new IoT devices as agriculturalists need them. Through the Zero Touch Onboarding functionality of the Ericsson IoT Accelerator platform, devices are accessible after installation. No physical control panels are needed, as all functions are handled in the cloud.

Zero Touch Onboarding, which allows devices to be onboarded to the IoT Accelerator platform and then managed through their lifecycles, uses the Open Mobile Alliance Lightweight Machine to Machine and smart objects from The Internet Protocol for Smart Objects (IPSO) Alliance.

The current solution monitors temperature, humidity, CO2 and other conditions, and guides what actions to take next based on the AI engine. With the support of analytics from Ericsson IoT Accelerator, the next generation of e-kakashi will enable higher automation by connecting with actuators.