Kontron, the global provider of embedded computing technologies (ECT), announced it is leading the embedded systems industry in the delivery of solutions that will help enable commercial, research and government organisations to harness the true potential of the Internet of Things (IoT).
Kontron’s strong progress in IoT enablement is being achieved through its strategy of close collaboration with other major global technology providers, ‘real-world’ IoT Proof of Concept and education initiatives, and ongoing commitment to the development of an extensive range of innovative IoT-ready ECT solutions. These include hardware and software modules, controllers, gateways and embedded PCs, through to Kontron’s standards-based Symkloud cloud networking platform for enabling enhanced scalability, high density and work load performance.
Several of Kontron’s most recently announced IoT products will be fully available in Q2 15 including the Kontron COMe-cBL6 COM Express Computer-on-Module and mITX-BDU mini motherboard – suitable for multi-touch display environments such as Medical Kiosk patient image processing – and the KBox A-103 embedded box PC, ideal for use in factory automation systems and other demanding industrial applications.
Kontron’s comprehensive IoT solutions portfolio is underpinned by its commitment to the emerging open standards Hyperconnecting architecture. This will allow the development flexibility and necessary enterprise integration for meeting customer requirements when delivering practical end-to-end IoT implementations.
“With our two decades of embedded computing innovation across a wide variety of markets including avionics, defence, energy, industrial automation, healthcare, retail, telecom and transportation, Kontron has the knowledge required to ensure customers achieve successful IoT implementations, helping them implement true end-to-end solutions that will reduce costs and enhance revenue streams,” said Michael Väth, Kontron’s executive vice president Global Sales and Marketing.
“Working with our global original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and System Integrator (SI) partners, Kontron’s proven track-record in enabling thousands of real-world application deployments already makes us well-equipped to address the main technological challenges that the IoT presents: agility, datability, manageability, and longevity.”
Kontron IoT Collaboration and Proof of Concept
Kontron is at the forefront of a progressive R&D ecosystem for speeding the development of world-class IoT solutions. As part of this the company is engaged in an ambitious IoT application development and Proof of Concept programme which also involves complementary third party vendor technologies. As a result of these focused efforts, Kontron customers will increasingly see the benefits in their own solutions.
– In farming, Kontron has joined forces with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Cisco, Dell, IBM and Intel to establish the Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science & Technology (CREST) R&D organisation and an IoT development laboratory. Based in Malaysia, CREST’s initial projects have included Precision Farming where soil sensors collect and report data from which a fertilisation map is produced. There are also systems designed for greenhouses where data sensors measure humidity, moisture, EC and PH to automatically manage the optimum amount and application of fertiliser. Results have included a three times increase in crop yield in just one year.
– In the medical sector, Kontron currently serves as the CREST Connected Health Care industry cluster lead. The focus is on the application of wearable embedded systems, IoT connected devices technology and the commercialisation of healthcare products, solutions and services. As a result, more than 36 participating organisations have already gained access to affordable and attainable, patient-centric, quality healthcare in Malaysia by utilising IoT technology. In addition, Kontron has recently demonstrated a Medical Kiosk application at the Embedded World 2015 conference in Germany. This quickly and accurately measures patient vital signs for improved patient wellbeing while also reducing medical facilities costs.
– In industrial automation, to help manufacturers minimise unplanned factory downtime and the associated revenue loss, Kontron has most recently demonstrated how the Salesforce1 Cloud Platform can be used to more efficiently monitor factory equipment. This was carried out at a textile manufacturing company and allowed real-time machine failure alerts and error messages to be sent to field service engineering personnel mobile phones, allowing them to be rapidly dispatched to the problem area with the right information. The demonstration featured the use of Kontron IoT gateway devices based on Intel® technology that provide proven, cutting-edge connectivity capabilities, and embedded computers that deliver industry-leading computing performance. This usage model, which connects manufacturing equipment to humans outside the factory, can also be applied to a wide variety of other environments for solving a range of problems or supporting new business models where machine data is of critical value to key stakeholders.
Both the Precision Farming demo and the Medical Kiosk will be on display at Kontron’s booth #136 at IoT World, San Francisco in the Moscone Center, May 12-13th. For further information about Kontron IoT ready solutions, Proof of Concept demonstrations, and industry collaborations visit http://iot.kontron.com/
