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// M&A, Strategies, Alliances //
mCloud has acquired FDSI (Field Diagnostics Services), to integrate FDSI’s HVAC, building, and energy analytics expertise into mCloud’s asset management portfolio.
Trimble has acquired NM Group (Network Mapping), to add NM’s data modeling and visualization tech to its utility and energy services portfolio.
Sigma Designs has joined the OCF, allowing OCF members to use Z-Wave in their projects, following Sigma’s contribution of Z-Wave to the ITU standards organization last year.
The Intelsat and OneWeb merger has fallen through, after failing to convince enough of the Intelsat bond-holders to agree to the Softbank-backed satellite operator merger.
Fractal Analytics has acquired 4i, a strategic consulting and AI services provider, aiming to boost Fractal’s analytics and AI-based service offerings.
Murata has acquired ID-Solutions, a university spin-off that is an RFID systems integrator that uses its own middleware and application software.
// Laws, Regulation, and Lawsuits //
Uber has fired Anthony Levandowski, citing his failure to comply with an order from the court handling Waymo’s IP-theft lawsuit.
// Forecasts, Surveys. Reports, and Blue Sky Thinking //
Enterprise wearable revenue will hit $55bn by 2022, according to ABI Research, growing from $10.5bn in 2017, at a CAGR of some 39%.
Amazon has been granted a patent for parachute-based delivery systems, likely an extension of its drone-based delivery platform strategy.
// Hardware //
ARM has released two new processors, the first based on its new DynamIQ architecture – the Cortex-A75 and the Cortex-A55, as well as a new VR/AR-focused Mali-G72 GPU.
MediaTek has launched a new low-power WiFi chipset aimed at smart home devices, with the MT7686 (low-cost porting), MT7682 (data-focused), and MT5932 (compact) skews.
Cypress has launched a new 802.11ac WiFi chipset that combines Bluetooth connectivity too, aimed at smart home applications such as gateways.
Microsemi has launched the AcuEdge developer kit for Amazon’s Alexa Voice Services (AVS) platform, based around the Timberwolf ZL38063 multi-mic audio processor.
Qualcomm has launched its Mesh Networking Platform offering, a stack that combines WiFi and Bluetooth (CSRmesh) for mesh networking – aimed at connected buildings.
WISeKey has launched its IIoT security chip with embedded Root-of-Trust, to send authenticated data to the cloud using dual-factor authentication at the device level.
// Networks, Protocols, & Wireless //
EnOcean and Silvair have partnered to launch energy-harvesting Bluetooth mesh light switches and sensors, powered by Silvair’s Mesh Stack.
TrackNet has picked LoRa for its home monitoring system, using Semtech’s chips in its Tabs wristbands, for child safety apps, and object detection hardware.
Upland Global is deploying a national RPMA network in Nigeria, expanding on a deal with Shell that saw it use the Ingenu LPWAN protocol to connect oil and gas infrastructure.
Megafon and Russian Railways have announced a connectivity partnership that will lay the ground for rail-based IoT projects in Russia.
Bell is launching an LTE-M network in Canada, with an asset tracking demo in partnership with BeWhere and a connected agriculture program with the University of Manitoba.
// Big Data, Cloud, AI, and Machine Learning //
HP is apparently launching an Amazon Echo rival, and will be using Microsoft’s Cortana digital assistant as the brains of the box.
Globe Telecom has picked Canvas to provide it with digital transformation and office task automation services, as part of the Philippine telco’s strategic evolutions.
CS Disco has launched its Disco AI deep learning platform, aimed at tackling the issue of data analysis in complex legal cases, using GPUs for its workloads.
Samsung has dropped the ball with Bixby, delaying the voice assistant’s English launch again, to the dismay of financial analysts who are proclaiming proof of it software incompetence.
// Smart Homes and Buildings //
Qualcomm has unveiled a mesh-capable WiFi router reference design, with a ZigBee radio and Bluetooth mesh via the CSRmesh technology.
Kuna Systems has launched a vehicle-recognition platform for smart home security, for smart security lighting systems to use as a basis for decision making.
Essential, the company driven by Android-creator Andy Rubin, has unveiled an intelligent smart home speaker, running Ambient OS, that tries to keep computation local and private.
Nest has revealed the NestCam IQ, a new home camera that uses Google’s Cloud to perform facial recognition and video analytics, which is also upgradeable to 4K.
Apple has reportedly started manufacturing its Amazon Echo rival, using Inventec as to build the smart home device – the same manufacturer that makes its wireless AirPods.
Samsung’s Connect Home WiFi mesh router has gone on sale, supporting both ZigBee and Z-Wave devices, with prices starting at $170, and a three-pack costing $380.
Nest and ecobee have signed a cross-licensing patent agreement. Details are confidential, but this agreement should prevent litigation between the two smart thermostat vendors.
// Industrial & Manufacturing //
Hitachi has updated its Lumada platform with new Solution Cores for manufacturing plants, covering a progress and monitoring system, and a work improvement support system, which Hitachi says is targeted at high-priority bottleneck work.
// Retail, Marketing, & Supply Chain //
Oskar Blues has picked Thinfilm to provide its NFC tagging technology for a series of connected beer coasters, which will be shipped nationally in the US, as a marketing campaign.
// Automotive //
Nevada and Nexar are building a state-wide V2X network, in a partnership that they say will create the first such network in the US, based on Nexar’s tech.
Volvo and Renova are testing an autonomous garbage truck, aiming to provide safer operation through vehicular sensors while also using less crew members.
Toyota will be the first automaker to deploy an IVI system based on the Automotive Grade Linux’s platform, in the 2018 Camry, which will be available in the summer.
Fiat-Chrysler has suffered another security blow, after a biker gang gained access to a secure key database and made off with $4.5m in 150 Jeeps in a key-cloning heist that took minutes.
Mitsubishi and LexisNexis have partnered, connecting Mitsubishi’s US vehicles to LexisNexis’ Telematics Exchange platform, aiming to prove the case for usage-based insurance.
Yandex, the Russian search engine giant, has unveiled its prototype autonomous taxi car, a LiDAR-equipped Toyota Prius, scheduled for public trials this year.
// Security //
Resilient Network Systems and RunSafe have partnered to launch Resilient IoT Guardian, a new security middleware and authentication product for existing and new deployments.
// Smart Cities //
Libelium and Zolio Rios have shown off a connected service station installation, which uses the Meshlium gateway to track WiFi and Bluetooth connections from cars and smartphones.
ConnecThings has joined Current, GE’s smart building and city division, partner system, to promote the use of its Internet of Public Things beacons as a smart city technology.
// Smart Grid & Utility //
The Rocky Mountain Institute warns that the use cases around blockchain in smart grid applications are vague, but is launching the Energy Web Foundation to explore the issue.
Drift has launched a blockchain-esque energy trading system for deregulated energy markets, looking to combine machine-learning, high-frequency trading and p2p trading.