It’s no secret at all that – given this story’s title – navigating the Internet of Things and the many slopes of its technological landscape becomes a transformative process for everyone involved; from initial development to customer successes, the speed at which things progress in the IoT space is stunningly challenging, at times.
Thankfully, there are innovators like those at LightWare to push forward.
Ahead of this IoT Evolution Expo 2024 (part of the ITEXPO #TECHSUPERSHOW, which will take place from February 13-15 at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida), we were able to hear a great deal from LightWare’s team concerning big-time advancements in LiDAR, IoT, edge computing, AI, and much more.
Below is how that conversation went:
What recent news or innovations in your products or services would you like to share?
In 2024, LightWare is scheduled to introduce a series of groundbreaking innovations that will revolutionize the security industry by integrating ranging capabilities into camera systems, unlocking the advantages of sensor fusion. Comprising three distinct products with impressive ranges of 250, 500 and 1,000 meters, the GRF-series employs 905nm technology, ensuring remarkable performance and affordable price points to foster widespread adoption.
Furthermore, LightWare is venturing into the development of 2D solid-state microLiDAR sensors, a testament to our dedication to pushing the boundaries of LiDAR applications. These sensors will feature a wider field of view, unlocking new possibilities for more complex IoT applications. This strategic move underscores our commitment to providing innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of industries and pave the way for transformative advancements in LiDAR technology. Follow us and join LightWare on a journey to shape the future of distance measurement and LiDAR applications.
What is the greatest value proposition for IoT today?
We believe IoT’s greatest value propositions involve the real-time insights generated by seamless data exchanges between interconnected devices and systems. This is the holy grail of decision-making capabilities; with added AI, those decisions can even be automated, leading to improved customer experiences and efficiencies. At LightWare, we are particularly interested in enhanced safety and security, improved inventory management and enabling future smart cities.
What key trends are impacting the IoT industry today and what opportunities are they creating?
Edge computing and AI integration are top-of-mind opportunities, as they’re critical drivers in unlocking the previously mentioned IoT value propositions. Both these trends are transformative in the IoT space, with edge computing creating opportunities for IoT devices to operate more autonomously, enabling real-time decision-making. AI amplifies the capabilities of IoT systems to analyze vast and complex datasets and add a layer of intelligence never seen before.
As we navigate this transformative landscape, it's worth noting how cutting-edge technologies like LightWare LiDAR’s microLiDAR distance sensors further contribute to the evolution of IoT. With its advanced LiDAR solutions, LightWare plays a crucial role in providing precise and real-time spatial awareness, thus enhancing the capabilities of IoT applications. The synergy between edge computing, AI, and innovative technologies like LightWare LiDAR addresses current challenges and propels the IoT industry toward a future defined by efficiency, intelligence, and limitless possibilities.
How are those trends shaping your products/services?
The prevailing trends of edge computing and AI integration profoundly impact our products and services, aligning seamlessly with the transformative nature of the IoT landscape. With edge computing at the forefront, our products are designed to leverage decentralized data processing, empowering IoT devices to operate more autonomously. This enhances the speed of decision-making and ensures that our solutions remain agile and scalable in the face of a growing IoT ecosystem.
LightWare microLiDAR sensors introduce a new dimension to spatial awareness in IoT applications. Our LiDAR distance sensor solutions play a pivotal role in generating real-time and precise spatial data, enriching the capabilities of connected devices and providing the critical dataset that AI systems rely on for informed decision-making.
In essence, these trends are not just shaping our products and services – they’re driving us to innovate further and further. We are committed to staying at the forefront of technological advancements, ensuring that our offerings continue to empower businesses with efficiency, intelligence, and the unparalleled capabilities needed to thrive in the dynamic landscape of the Internet of Things.
Opportunities are often accompanied by challenges. What are the biggest challenges businesses face in IoT deployments, and how are you helping solve those challenges?
LightWare is committed to addressing the challenges businesses face across all sorts of IoT deployments by offering innovative solutions to enhance reliability, performance, and overall quality. Our approach centers around providing robust, high-performing IoT sensors that meet industry standards and exceed customer expectations.
Speaking of expectations, our thoughts on reliability and longevity:
Our meticulously designed products prioritize both reliability and high performance, ensuring optimal operation of your IoT sensors over an extended period. This commitment to exceptional quality increases durability, minimizes the risk of device failures, and maximizes the return on investment (ROI) for businesses.
At LightWare, we recognize the significance of longevity in IoT deployments, and our products are built to last for many years, providing sustainable solutions that withstand continuous operational demands, a claim supported by our 24-month warranty period. By offering durable and reliable sensors, we contribute to the overall success and sustainability of IoT deployments, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimizing disruptions to operations.
User-friendliness is a feature of LightWare microLiDAR distance sensors. Our products embody a plug-and-play design, eliminating the complexities typically associated with traditional LiDAR devices. Their straightforward setup process ensures simplicity and reliability, even in challenging conditions. This user-friendly approach removes complexity and broadens the accessibility of IoT adoption to businesses across a spectrum of industries. No extensive technical expertise is required, allowing for seamless integration and utilization of our products.
In essence, LightWare is not just providing sensors; we deliver comprehensive solutions that directly address the core challenges of IoT deployments. Our commitment to reliability, longevity, and user-friendliness, ensures that businesses can confidently embrace IoT technology with the assurance of seamless integration, optimal performance, and long-term success.
One trend we are seeing is that product companies are now offering services, thanks in turn to the prevalence of IoT. How has managed services impacted your offerings?
Creating great LiDAR sensor modules and trying to be a managed services business is admittedly deeply challenging, with one often sacrificing the other regarding available resources. LightWare is a LiDAR technology company; we’re not a dedicated managed services provider. Our focus is on product and ease-of-integration essentials.
That said, the service aspect of our business is about assisting customers in achieving the best microLiDAR solution for their IoT needs. That’s why our support team advises on integration, instead of trying to upsell customers into a timeworn managed services model (with potentially unnecessary IT infrastructure and features).
We realize that data scrutiny and propriety coding are realities for some IoT customers, and we duly respect the IT infrastructure users have chosen (and the software engineering they’ve done). LightWare’s vision is to help customers achieve excellent microLiDAR integration for their IoT needs, instead of trying to function in a managed services role.
LightWare’s commitment to providing integration services has been time-and-time-again proven by our online resource center, which includes APIs, sample code and firmware release logs. We help customers manage their microLiDAR module integration needs instead of charging them to manage their networks. It’s about knowing what you do well and doing that with integrity.
Like all industries, the IoT industry has been weathering its share of supply chain issues. What adjustments have you made and how has it changed your business?
LightWare's management team places significant emphasis on adhering to the principles of ISO9001:2015, incorporating proactive risk management into our operations. We not only anticipated and planned for the supply chain challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, but also executed successful mitigation strategies. This proactive approach ensured a continuous supply to our customers with minimal disruption. Our agility and strategic planning remain pivotal in navigating the evolving dynamics of the supply chain landscape.
Artificial Intelligence is being developed for all sorts of analysis. AI with IoT is often discerning information from sensor data. What innovations do you expect to see as a result of AI with IoT and how does it change workflows?
Integrating AI with the Internet of Things (IoT) holds tremendous promise for revolutionary advancements, especially in the analysis of sensor data – a realm where LightWare's LiDAR distance sensors play a pivotal role. AI's adeptness at deciphering intricate patterns from vast datasets will transform decision-making processes.
Anticipated innovations encompass predictive analytics, fostering proactive responses; enhanced automation, optimizing processes through AI-driven insights, and real-time decision-making (particularly vital for applications like autonomous vehicles). Moreover, the expectations extend to personalized experiences and heightened energy efficiency.
In this dynamic relationship, it's crucial to emphasize that the effectiveness of AI is intricately tied to the reliability of sensor data. Sensors, including LightWare's LiDAR distance sensors, serve as the foundation, providing the essential raw information for AI algorithms to analyze, learn, and make informed decisions. The quality and quantity of sensor data directly influence the accuracy and dependability of AI applications.
As LightWare's LiDAR distance sensors contribute to this symbiotic partnership between AI and sensors, they play a massive role in ensuring the success and precision of data-driven innovations. The advanced capabilities of LightWare's sensors enrich the AI landscape, enabling transformative outcomes in various industries.
Please share a success story or two about how your IoT products/solutions have helped customers navigate challenges and turn them into opportunities.
Several of our customer success stories can be found below:
As an IoT company, what is the hardest part of getting your message out?
Navigating the expansive landscape of the IoT market presents a significant communication challenge for our company. The sheer vastness, intricacy, and diversity within this space make it inherently challenging to effectively convey our message to the entirety of the IoT market. Having said that, articulating our solutions' distinct value and applications within the specific niches of this complex ecosystem adds an additional layer of complexity. And despite the difficulties, we are committed to employing targeted strategies that resonate with our audience, ensuring that our innovative IoT solutions are heard and clearly understood within their relevant application spaces.
Where do you see the IoT space in a few years? Where do you see change or evolution or widespread success (or failure)?
The IoT space is expected to witness transformative changes, with advancements in edge computing, connectivity, AI, and industry-specific solutions. Success will be prevalent in sectors that effectively leverage these innovations and we believe there will be pockets of success where ROI is evident.
However, addressing security and privacy challenges will be essential for sustained growth and widespread adoption. As an IoT company, staying at the forefront of these trends and contributing to solutions for challenges will be pivotal for continued success and relevance in the evolving IoT landscape. In particular, the integration of LiDAR stands out in terms of privacy, as it focuses solely on distance measurements without recognizing faces or individuals. This unique advantage positions LightWare microLiDAR, as a secure and privacy-centric option in the expanding IoT landscape.
What are you most looking forward to at IoT Evolution Expo 2024?
It is an invaluable opportunity to glean insights into the latest trends directly from a world-class network of IoT professionals. Engaging with industry leaders and experts will deepen our understanding of the evolving landscape. I am excited to explore how LightWare's innovative solutions align with the current trends and contribute to the growth and development within the IoT space. The expo offers a platform to showcase our commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements and to learn how we can further support the industry's progress through our innovation roadmap.
Why are you participating at IoT Evolution Expo 2024 and what are you highlighting at your booth?
At our booth, visitors will have the unique experience of interacting with and testing world-first, award-winning microLiDAR distance sensors. We aim to demonstrate these sensors' exceptional capabilities and educate attendees on their vast potential across the wide spectrum of IoT applications.
A highlight at our booth will be the SF23/B, recognized as the world's most power-efficient 50-meter LiDAR, consuming only 5 mA. Additionally, the SF20/C, a 100-meter microLiDAR with a highly compact form factor optimized for seamless system integration, and the SF45/B, a compact 50-meter scanning LiDAR with customizable scanning angles, ideal for applications requiring a broader field of view.
Our presence at IoT Evolution Expo 2024 reflects our commitment to driving innovation and pushing the boundaries of LiDAR technology. We invite visitors to explore the exceptional features of our microLiDAR sensors and discover the diverse applications they unlock in the dynamic landscape of the Internet of Things. LightWare looks forward to engaging with industry professionals, fostering collaboration, and contributing to the continued evolution of IoT solutions.
Edited by
Alex Passett
