5 Companies Building the "Internet of Things"
The "internet of things" is a concept that describes a wireless network between objects. In a way, it parallels the current network of addressable web pages (aka the "world wide web"), except "the internet of things" would include addressable inanimate objects that could be anything from your home's refrigerator to the shoes on your feet. Although this world of web-connected things has been much discussed for years, we've seen little movement pushing the concept forward. At least, until now.
Tikitag
Recently, we've seen a handful of companies attempting to develop technologies that could build an "internet of things." One example is Tikitag, a company that presented at the DEMO 08 conference. With a Tikitag starter kit and some client software, you can program your own RFID tags so that they can do anything you want them to do. They can launch an application, deliver you to a URL, and so much more.
What's great about Tikitag's tags is that you don't need a specialized RFID reader in order to scan them - they're compatible with third party readers like NFC (Near Field Communication) enabled mobile phones. There are already over 40 million of these phones available and analysts expect over 250 millions to be sold in 2012.
You can get the Tikitag starter kit with one reader and 10 tags for 34.95 Euro + VAT/$49.95 U.S. Additional Tikitag RFID tags are sold for 19.95 EURO or $29.95 U.S.
Note: Tikitag will be operating under a new name come Monday.
Mir:ror
Mir:ror is a device from a company called Violet that detects the objects you show it and gives them powers. As you wave a device over the USB-attached mirror, you can trigger applications and multimedia content automatically. The "magic" mirror isn't actually sensing the object itself, but is reacting to an RFID tag placed on the object which then tells your computer what to do.
Those tags are embedded in the company's Ztamps, colorful RFID stamps that you stick on the objects you want to connect. They also work with the company's other more well-known internet-connected object: the Nabaztag, an adorable rabbit that can deliver anything from ambient information through lights and sounds to verbal information - like when he reads your email or RSS feeds to you.
Pachube
Pachube is a service that lets you "tag and share real time sensor data from objects, devices, buildings and environments around the world. The key aim is to facilitate interaction between remote environments, both physical and virtual." On their web site, you can either input a feed or use one of the feeds available. The feeds come from devices, buildings, or interactive installations that are already connected to the internet or that send out SMS messages. Also supported are Second Life installations.
By registering a feed on the site, you can share your real-time data with other objects, keep historical records of your data, or create online graphs to use in a web page.
Arduino
Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform made up of open source hardware and software. It's intended for artists, designers, hobbyists, and anyone interested in creating interactive objects or environments - that is, "the internet of things."
For an example of the type of internet-connected objects you can build with Arduino, look at this presentation where the author configured a kid's toy ray gun to react when anyone posted on Twitter about the #barcampliverpool hash tag.
ZeroG Wireless
ZeroG Wireless is a semiconductor company that's focused on building low-power wireless chips. Their low-power Wi-Fi chips can be embedded into any system including consumer electronics, smart energy devices, home and building controls, portable medical sensors, and sensor networks. The company was founded "based on the belief that a new paradigm of wireless connectivity is upon us. According to their web site, they envision a "4th Age of Wireless™ -- the Internet of Things."
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Just fyi: tikitag has been forced to change its name due to copyright infringement. They're expected to announce the new name next Monday.
Btw: They offer 75% off of the readers with code TLOYCODE (but it ends tonight!)
All these services are great! if you want to try out the "internet of Things" right now then go to Qifti - mobile graffiti, and try out our service.
It works with your current mobile phone.
in the future we will make a connection with our platform and all the hardware platform *RFID* vendors.
The user must have fun and start to use it.
iPhone/ Android apps comming soon.
www.qifti.com
Just used the code TLOYCODE and put super saver shipping on Amazon, so the total cost is $9.99!
Thanks Flo!!!
Dear RWW, i want to signal you an Italian project called OpenSpime inspired by Bruce Sterling: http://www.openspime.com/
Along the same lines, we launched a web site that will focus in particular on the web of things for geeks, designers, researchers, and other professionals.
Check it out webofthings.com
Wow, technology really changes our lives. I wonder after this wave of technology, what would it be next? It's very nice to see how creative people can be. 10 years from now, surely we would have already come up with something better than these, by the time when we look back, everything would be history. :-)
tikitag became touchatag: new name, new features. Checkout http://www.touchatag.com
Among the new features: 2D barcode support (first service ever providing one interface to configure RFID and 2D barcodes), Firefox plugin, new applications.
We also launched an extended business suite: http://business.touchatag.com as well as extended developer support on http://developer.touchatag.com.
Happy tagging!
thanks.
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i think this will be not good idea.
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Thanks for the post. Its so hard to stay up on tech changes nowadays.
Recently, we've seen a handful of companies attempting to develop technologies that could build an the
This is very good chip technology.
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thanks for the great post. Its so hard to stay up on tech changes nowadays.
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en, great news to hear that.
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Thanksss
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Bu Engelbart's, Berners-Lee yakın olduğunu ve internet ne olabilir ve çok erken vizyonlar. Bu büyük olduğunu düşünüyorum. Ve hatta eğer bu ürün, kavram ve İdeal will never die için gayret olarak başarısız olur
Although this world of web-connected things has been much discussed for years, we've seen little movement pushing the concept forward.
Apple's iPod press conference tomorrow? Maybe, maybe not. But anyways, $200 sounds like a pretty good value
This is very good chip technology
This is the next hype ah?
Take a look at a company called Precyse Technologies (website is www.precysetech.com )
Probably active RFID based (also called RTLS) but talking a lot about the vision of an internet of things.
Joe/
I didn't know that Their low-power Wi-Fi chips can be embedded into any system including consumer electronics...