KDDI Japan Selects Gemalto’s Connected Cars and IoT solution

30 June 2016  – Gemalto, a world leader in digital security, today announced that it has been selected to provide its LinqUs On-Demand Connectivity (ODC) subscription management solution and embedded SIMs (eSIMs) for KDDI, a leading operator in Japan with over 40 million subscribers, to enable secure connectivity for connected cars and IoT applications worldwide. As a result, KDDI can now provision any requested operator's profile on connected cars equipped with pre-embedded eSIM, allowing automakers and solution providers to offer seamless remote subscription over the air throughout the lifecycle of the car. Motorists can access optimized real-time information about traffic and nearby amenities, navigation, vehicle diagnostics, and emergency services, anytime, anywhere.

The lack of flexible and interoperable remote subscription management is a major challenge in deploying IoT. Gemalto's solution, based on global GSMA specifications, will simplify logistics for OEMs and automakers. LinqUs On-Demand Connectivity is integrated to several IoT connectivity platforms, offering utmost flexibility to KDDI.

"Gemalto has been our trusted partner for a long time, and has helped us launch many successful projects," said Keiichi Mori, Executive Officer, General Manager, IoT Business Development Division, Solution Business Sector at KDDI. "Their solution is based on interoperable GSMA standards, and will provide a common and consistent way to connect devices in the future. With long-lasting relationships with over 500 mobile operators worldwide and a strong local presence, they can help us expand our services to other IoT applications, to obtain rapid growth in the connected world."

"IoT is increasingly turning connected cars into powerful hubs for value-added services such as infotainment, real-time vehicle telematics, and usage-based insurance, offering plenty of opportunities to OEMs and service providers," said Michael Au, President South Asia and Japan at Gemalto (above). "With simplified subscription management, KDDI is strongly positioned alongside Japanese car manufacturers to take a lead in this relatively new market worldwide."

Source: Gemalto

Senet Announces Suite of IoT Product Development Services for LoRa

22 June 2016 – Senet, the first North American provider of public Internet of Things (IoT) applications based on the Low Power Wide Area standard LoRaWAN today announced the availability of The Senet IoT Foundry, a suite of services for developers of IoT solutions and services.

The offerings are designed to help developers in startups as well as established companies accelerate the commercialisation of LoRa-based products and solutions. The advent of Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) connectivity enables a whole new set of innovative business cases for solving customer problems. As an early leader in LPWAN technology, Senet aims to stimulate and accelerate the growth of the LoRa ecosystem by way of these new service offerings.

The Foundry services are available now and are offered at Senet’s Portsmouth, NH headquarters. Due to its depth of expertise, Senet is in a unique position to be able to offer training, development tools, a network sandbox, and technical consulting services that help IoT solution developers create and launch LoRa compliant IoT products and applications in record time. The services can be tailored to address hardware and/or firmware development projects. Customers can choose to follow The Foundry’s four-step development program, or choose the services they need most. The Foundry’s four-step program includes:

• Introductory LPWAN and LoRaWAN Training Lab – two days
• Product Ideation and Design Kickoff – one week
• Full Product Development Consulting – two months
• Certification Readiness (LoRaWAN and FCC) – one week (each)

“As Senet has been aggressively addressing network coverage and growth, we recognized early on that we have a responsibility and an opportunity to help our partners in the LoRa ecosystem bring their solutions to market quickly,” said George Dannecker, President and CEO of Senet (above). “Startup companies and even large enterprises may not have availability of the full range of skills required to be able to deliver vertically complete IoT solutions to their customers. Senet can help these companies significantly reduce the time and effort to get to market, enabling solution vendors to solve their customers’ problems faster.”

Senet is a contributing member of the LoRa Alliance and has been active on all of the Alliance's committees since its inception. Senet was the first in North America to gain FCC certification on LoRa-based sensors and gateways. The company has compiled a range of high-level designs, best practices, and development tools that can benefit other ecosystem partners. For additional information please visit www.senetco.com.

Source: Senet

GE Executive Joins Vuzix Board of Directors

1 June 2016 – Vuzix, a leading supplier of video eyewear and smart glasses products for consumer and enterprise markets, today announced that Paul Boris (above) has joined its board of directors.

"Paul's addition to the Vuzix Board of Directors supports our plans to grow our business and coincides with the launch of our next generation Smart Glasses products. He is a leader in his field and we are thrilled to welcome him to our board," said Vuzix Corporation's President and CEO Paul Travers.

Mr. Boris, currently Head of Manufacturing Industries for GE Digital, has driven digital transformation within industrial operations for decades. In the mid-90's, he led the trend of deployment of technology within manufacturing as a senior consultant with one of the world's largest manufacturing integration firms. He was the  force behind the Perfect Plant initiatives at SAP and as CIO of Advanced Manufacturing Strategy for GE, has focused on driving GE's innovative factory strategy to increase productivity and deliver asset and operations optimization. His extensive experience in driving industry initiatives and as a senior contributor at several Fortune 100 companies makes him an ideal candidate to join the Vuzix board.

"With Paul and the recent addition of another new member, Edward Kay, we have a strong advisory team to take us into the next phase of our company's development," Mr. Travers continued.

Source: Vuzix