ICYMI: Promising IoT Developments to Follow

Well, we’re about halfway through July already, folks.

When we last shared an ‘ICYMI’ report round-up in late June, we discussed next-gen drone magnetometer developments (i.e. improving in-flight data capabilities, serving myriad IoT use cases), as well as location-based health and safety electronic wearables, workflow-autonomizing robotics and ultra-low power, long-range connectivity via Wi-Fi HaLow. (Read those story recaps here.)

Today, we’ve got another handful of recent IoT goings-on. Let’s take a gander:

• Financing AgTech in the Face of Climate Change: Farming automation solutions provider Verdi Expeditions, Inc. received significant investment from NEC (News - Alert) X, Silicon Valley venture studio that invests in adaptive, high-potential technologies. This is great, as climate crises are one of today’s top risks for agriculture; climate-proofing farm operations with automated tools (e.g. monitoring tree health and achieving optimal crop yield in vineyards and orchards, saving time when breeding drought-resistant plant variations to cultivate more sustainably, etcetera) is a win-win for workers served.

• Additional Support for Ventures in Agribusiness: Also in “greener IoT” news, those in agribusiness – this field of agriculture-based business operations – Verizon Business (News - Alert) has forged a strategic partnership with Monarch Tractor, a company “designed with, founded by and purpose-built for farmers today,” as it self-describes. With Verizon’s network technology, Monarch’s line of autonomous tractors can stay connected, quote, “in even the most remote agricultural landscapes.” Smarter farm machinery that drives profitability and sustainability at scale? Another win.

• Cellular and NTN Connectivity Get a Boost: Two frequently mentioned names on IoT Evolution – Soracom, Inc. and Skylo Technologies – linked up in order to devise a way to provide customers that are building M2M/IoT solutions more direct access to non-terrestrial network (NTN) interconnectivity. With their new platform integration, Soracom’s and Skylo’s respective customers will reportedly be able to switch seamlessly between cellular and NTN, unlocking greater IoT potential and escaping legacy infrastructure constraints.

•  A WISeSat.Space (subsidiary of WISeKey) update: Back in May, I penned a story about WISeKey, a global provider of cybersecurity, semiconductors, low-power sensors, secure embedded firmware and other full-fledged IoT marketplace solutions. (Read here.) That article covered WISeSat.Space prepping the launch of 88 new low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites that are, quote, “invaluable for monitoring, modeling, and understanding various aspects of the climate, biodiversity, and the changing states of oceans, forests, and glaciers” To update further, WISeSat.Space has now slated – for Q4 2024 – another expansion of its satellite constellation and the installation of a new satellite antenna in Switzerland. (The official press release can be browsed here.)

• New AI + Utilities Sector Research from IFS: According to enterprise cloud software provider IFS, new data indicates that – despite 84% of its surveyed organizations having recognized AI-powered data analytics as one of the most important factors when it comes to digital transformation – recognition does not always equal effective strategies-turned-actions. Businesses are facing obstacles that include, quote, “the inability to measure value accurately from investments (32%), a lack of clarity on necessary resources and skills (25%), and a lack of consensus on AI-specific priorities among leadership (23%).” Carol Johnston, Vice President of Energy, Utilities and Resources at IFS, formulated this data into her own words. Johnston explained how “The utilities sector is at a pivotal moment, where AI-driven modernization and sustainability measures are not mere trends, but imperatives. Utilities, in particular, must embrace and fully leverage end-to-end digital tools that allow them to bring in new functionality and streamline previously non-automatable solutions.” The full IFS rundown is here.

For even more news, we encourage visiting our other sites; GenAI Today, Industrial IoT News Hub and Smart City Sentinel, to name a few.

Again, TGIF readers! Take good care, as always.