The Internet of Things is a wellspring for lots of new ideas and products. Many young, innovative companies are developing solutions for the interconnected world. We looked at a number of interesting start-ups.
Tracking infections
Toronto-based company Infonaut is using a real-time location system to help prevent infections in hospitals. The system is able to track the movements, contacts and interactions of patients, medical staff and equipment to within less than 40 centimetres. This enables hospitals to identify how and when infections are transmitted between people and equipment.
www.infonaut.ca
A wired brain
The Spark Core from Minneapolis-based company Spark Devices makes it easy to create hardware with Internet connectivity. The unit incorporates a Wi-Fi module and a powerful microprocessor capable of acting as a ‘wired brain’ for any machine or device. The Spark Core is compatible with Arduino, a developer platform which even non-experts find easy to use. The unit connects automatically to the Spark Cloud, via which the Spark Core can then be accessed from anywhere, any time.
www.spark.io
Intelligent heating control
The tado company, founded in 2011 in Munich, has developed an intelligent heating control system which adapts in real time to occupants’ behaviour, as well as incorporating up-to-date weather data and taking into account the specific characteristics of the building. The smartphone in the tado Box automatically sends information to the heating controller using a geolocation app. When the last occupant has left the building the temperature is lowered. As soon as someone heads towards home, tado starts warming up the dwelling to the preprogrammed desired temperature.
www.tado.com
Lots of functions, one device
QGate, the mobile controller from the Vienna-based start-up of the same name, connects everyday things to the Internet. The QGate is essentially an adapter, equipped with a wide array of sensors. It not only allows electrical equipment connected to it to be controlled by a smartphone, but also captures data from the room, such as the temperature or brightness, for various applications including temperature monitoring or presence simulation.
www.qgate.com
Taking good care of plants
Recent Zurich-based start-up Koubachi has developed a Wi-Fi plant sensor, which effectively gives plants their own voice. The sensor unit incorporates a soil moisture sensor, as well as measuring the light intensity and temperature. Data is transmitted to the Koubachi Plant Care Engine via the built-in Wi-Fi module. Based on scientifically conceived plant care models, the app analyses the parameters, determines the vitality of the plant, and sends detailed care instructions to the plant’s owner.
www.koubachi.com
A smartphone as a virtual key
Lockitron turns a mobile phone into a door key. The system developed by Californian company Apigy is simply mounted on the existing door lock and connects it by Wi-Fi to the Internet. This enables the door to be locked and unlocked using an app on the smartphone. It also means the door can be unlocked from anywhere in the world to provide family or friends with access if necessary. The system also sends a notification to the smartphone if the door is opened using a spare key, such as by a child. If an iPhone 4S or iPhone 5 is used, the system detects via Bluetooth when the owner is approaching the door and automatically unlocks it.
lockitron.com
Operating system for network-connected devices
Abacus OS from London-based company Clickslide is an operating system which enables apps to be developed for a wide variety of Cloud-connected devices. Programming interfaces are integrated by a set of simple input screens, with no need for coding. This enables anyone to connect any domestic appliance or other electronic device to their smartphone using an app. Since any programming interfaces can be integrated, it is very easy to connect to lots of different protocols used by the Internet of Things.
www.clickslide.co
Generating useful information from data
French company sen.se, established in 2010, provides an Internet platform on which devices, applications and people can post information. With Open.Sen.se, the individual items of data can be turned into useful information. The company is also developing apps by which data can be pre-processed and presented in an easily understandable way. They will make decisions easier to take and translate into action – either by the users themselves, or automatically, by operating connected equipment directly.
www.open.sen.se
