FreeRTOS+Trace v2.7.4 is now available

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FreeRTOS+Trace v2.7.4 features improved Atmel Studio integration, making it very convenient to use with any Atmel debugger. 

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Our friends over at Percepio have revealed that an updated version of FreeRTOS+Trace is now available. While there may only be minor changes, updating is not strictly required, although recommended. According to the team, this will most likely be the last v2.7 release, as they are now focusing on finalizing v2.8.

For those unfamiliar with the program, FreeRTOS+Trace is a run-time diagnostic tool for embedded software systems based on FreeRTOS. Trace captures valuable dynamic behavior information for offline display in more than 20 graphically interconnected view, thereby giving developers a new level of understanding and allowing for better designs, faster troubleshooting and higher performance to accelerate time to market.

FreeRTOS+Trace is comprised of two components: a PC application and a trace logging library provided as C source code for easy inclusion in a project. It can be used side-by-side with a traditional debugger and complements the debugger view with a higher level perspective.

What’s more, Atmel Studio 6.2 seamlessly integrates with Trace to provide unprecedented insight into the run-time of embedded software with leading-edge trace visualization. Percepio Trace for Atmel Studio features control-flow trace (tasks and interrupts), custom data plots, application debug output, statistical code profiling, support for viewing MCU event counters and RTOS awareness.

So what are some of the upgrades you can expect to see in v2.7.4 from v2.7.0?

– Improved integration with Atmel Studio, making it very convenient to use with any Atmel debugger.
– Added support for ARM Cortex-M0/M0+
– Enhanced J-Link integration and updated J-Link driver
– Minor changes in the recorder and demo application

As always, users can find the latest version on Percepio’s downloads page here. The team notes that, if you are using Atmel Studio, you should install the FreeRTOS+Trace version from Atmel Gallery (.vsix) — not the stand-alone version (“.exe” or “.tgz” packages).

SIGFOX is bringing the IoT to fire hydrants

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TALIS has tapped SIGFOX’s Internet of Things network for real-time fire hydrant monitoring. 

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Envision this: Your house catches on fire and you dial 911. The fire trucks arrive, the firefighters hop down and immediately throw the hose over their shoulders and rush around the corner to the nearest hydrant. Uh oh, the hydrant isn’t working. The hydrants of today can break, leak and freeze, something which can prove to be costly in a live-or-death situation. Luckily, the Internet of Things is here to help because with the advent of smart cities, comes the rise of much smarter water hydrants.

Most recently, water flow equipment provider Talis announced that they will be tapping into SIGFOX’s rapidly growing IoT network to bring their fire hydrant monitoring technology, called COPERNIC, to connected cities. The solution will enable utility companies and other city officials to track and analyze the status of smart fire hydrants to ensure they are indeed functioning properly and to prevent other issues such as water theft.

The two companies note that COPERNIC allows for real-time monitoring of fire hydrants by time-stamping all data related to hydrant functioning. An electronic module installed on the hydrant sends SMS or email alerts via the SIGFOX network when the hydrant is being opened, closed, tampered with, or malfunctioning. What’s more, all of that data will be made instantly available on a web-based portal, while a mobile app can also access, receive and read alerts.

As previously reported on Bits & Pieces and demonstrated throughout many of our trade show booths, SIGFOX’s cellular, ultra-narrowband (UNB) network has been exclusively designed for small messages that will meet the needs of the vast majority of objects connected to the IoT. The use of UNB is key to providing a scalable, high-capacity network, with very low energy consumption, while maintaining a simple and easy to rollout star-based cell infrastructure. The company’s Atmel based connectivity solution uses license-free frequency bands (runs in the unlicensed 902 MHz band in the U.S. and the 868 MHz band in Europe).

The French IoT startup’s UNB network has been specifically designed for small communications within IoT applications in order to greatly improve the battery life of connected objects. COPERNIC, incidentally, runs on lithium batteries that have an estimated lifetime of 10 years.

“The SIGFOX network, with its ‘plug-and-play’ connectivity, low cost and low power consumption will enable the COPERNIC solution to efficiently deliver a wide range of essential data to water-management officials in real-time,” explained Stuart Lodge, SIGFOX EVP of Global Sales.

This is just one of many bits of news to come out of our friends at SIGFOX in recent weeks. Last month, network operator Narrownet brought SIGFOX to Portugal to enhance the country’s IoT ecosystem for device manufacturers and service providers. Want to learn more? Head here.

Report: Global 3D printing market to reach $20.2 billion in 2019

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Nearly 133,000 3D printers were shipped globally in 2014, accounting for $3.3 billion in revenue. 

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If you thought 3D printing was merely a fad, you thought wrong. According to Canalys, the market will continue to build upon its momentum from last year which saw 133,000 printers shipped — a 68% jump from 2013. This resulted in $3.3 billion in revenue generated by printer sales and their associated materials. That figure is expected to continue its growth, projecting upward to $5.2 billion by 2015 and $20.2 billion by 2019 — an expected compound annual CAGR of 44% from 2014 to 2019.

“As we expected, the 3D printing market has grown substantially over the past few years,” said Canalys Research analyst Joe Kempton. “There has also been a substantial increase in the number of vendors entering this space, with many coming from Asia, challenging the previous dominance of 3D printing hotspots such as Germany and the USA.”

The growth is being contributed to a combination of lower prices, new forms of manufacturing methods and improved printing speeds. Beyond that, the ability to accelerate product creation via crowdfunding platforms has also spurred more demand for 3D printers.

In a study released just the other week, the research firm estimated that 75% of 3D printers shipped in Q4 2014 were priced below $10,000. In that three-month span alone, the total market revenue exceeded over $1 billion for the first time in a single quarter, with some 41,000 machines shipped worldwide. This represented a 24% rise quarter-over-quarter. Regionally, the Americas accounted for nearly four in 10 (42%) of overall purchases, followed by EMEA and Asia-Pacific at at 31% and 27%, respectively.

“Whereas these consumer printers used to be almost exclusively material extrusion devices, we’ve seen large growth rates in the vat polymerization segment as prices have fallen, which means more options for consumers. There were large, positive growth rates for the dominant consumer players, such as MakerBot and Ultimaker. But also substantial increases in shipment numbers from Chinese vendors, such as XYZPrinting, which have benefited from creating consumer-friendly 3D printers at impressively low price points.”

Undoubtedly, the 3D printing revolution will revolutionize traditional manufacturing as Makers will be able to print real-life products and part replacements right from the comforts of their own home or office. In the coming months, a vast majority of these printers will be plug-and-play, turnkey devices that will begin to enter the sweet spot of $500 — a price point at which many consumers will likely shell out the cash.

It’s bound to have a major impact on industries like aerospace, automotive and healthcare over the next five years as well. Companies such as General Electric, Boeing, and BMW have already invested millions of dollars into the next-gen technology.

As we’ve previously discussed on Bits & Pieces, the Maker Movement has not only been using Atmel powered 3D printers like MakerBot, RepRap and CEL for quite some time now, but a slew of new devices popping up on crowdfunding sites are packed with AVR MCUs, most notably the ATmega2560.

Ready to delve deeper into the future of 3D printing? You can find the latest Canalys report here.

Report: Automotive touch panel revenues to hit $1.5 billion by 2018

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Most touch panels for 2017 car models will use capacitive touch technology, IHS report reveals. 

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The explosion of touch-enabled screens used in smartphones, tablets and other consumer devices, along with improvements in touch technology, are increasing the demand for touchscreen automotive displays used for navigation, entertainment and online services, climate control, energy efficiency tracking and other activities.

According to a recent study by research firm IHS, the CAGR for global automotive touch panel shipments will average 18% through 2018, with revenues forecasted to reach $1.5 billion. This includes shipments of factory-installed automotive touch panel systems, aftermarket applications, dealer installations, as well as service replacements.

IHS notes that though projective-capacitive touch (PCT) technology has been a topic of discussion since 2012, adoption is finally expected to begin in 2015 models, which is leading to the charge for touch-panel shipments. That’s because the role of automotive displays is changing. What was once just a simple way to view information from a navigation system or a car audio system, has evolved into a human-to-machine interface (HMI) for devices of in and out of the vehicle.

Due to improvements in the consumer interface, IHS reveals that most touch panels for 2017 car models will use capacitive touch technology, which is expected to surpass the use of resistive technology over the next two years.

Moving ahead, state-of-the-art cars will surely be equipped with multi-touch capacitive sensors typically found in smartphones and tablets, along with capacitive buttons to create a modern look and intuitive use — all of which will be made possible through Atmel’s comprehensive platforms and solutions for in-vehicle HMIs.

Atmel achieves certification for PRIME v1.4 solutions

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The Atmel | SMART portfolio of metering solutions now support the latest advanced connectivity standards.

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Atmel has become the first company to receive the PRIME (PoweRline Intelligent Metering Evolution) v1.4 Profile 2 certification for the Atmel | SMART SAM4CP16B and ATPL230A smart metering solutions. The certification extends Atmel’s leadership and commitment to delivering state-of-the-art connectivity solutions and ensures that the company’s customers are able to develop high performance solutions, incorporating new features of the PRIME v1.4 standard. The latest standard supports some of the most demanding requirements of smart metering systems by offering increased robustness, throughput, band expansion, band-plan flexibility and IPv6.

“We are pleased to be the first semiconductor supplier to help develop and validate the technology, and to achieve this significant milestone with deep cooperation and partnership with our customers and the PRIME Alliance over a period of nearly five years,” said Kourosh Boutorabi, Senior Director of Smart Energy Solutions at Atmel. “We see increased interest in the PRIME standard by utilities in EMEA, Latin America and Asia and believe that as its adoption and proliferation continues, it is essential that its technical evolution continue to be fully standard compliant and certifiable by our customers as well as the utilities.”

PRIME is a mature, consolidated and worldwide PLC standard for advanced metering. There are currently millions of smart meters based on the PRIME standard that have been deployed supporting the PRIME v1.3. The Atmel | SMART portfolio of solutions now fully comply with both v1.3 and v1.4 standards ensuring total flexibility and scalability for original equipment manufacturers developing next-generation smart metering systems worldwide.

Interested in learning more? The Atmel PRIME v1.4 Profile 2 Certification is available on the PRIME Alliance website. Meanwhile, you can delve deeper into the wide range of PRIME-based PLC solutions here.

How Big Bang Theory and IoT relate to Tech on Tour

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Hands-on ‘IoT Secure Hello World’ training introduces Atmel Wi-Fi and CrytoAuthentication technologies.

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How The Big Bang Theory Relates to the Internet of Things

How many of you out there are fans of the CBS hit sitcom series Big Bang Theory? If you recall an episode from the show’s first season, entitled “The Cooper-Hofstadter Polarization,” the team of Sheldon Cooper, Leonard Hofstadter, Howard Wolowitz and Raj Koothrappali successfully triggered a lamp over the Internet using an X-10 system.

In order to accomplish this feat, the gang sent signals across the web and around the world from their apartment to connect not only their lights, but other electronics like their stereo and remote control cars as well.

“Gentlemen, I am now about to send a signal from this laptop through our local ISP racing down fiber optic cable at the of light to San Francisco bouncing off a satellite in geosynchronous orbit to Lisbon, Portugal, where the data packets will be handed off to submerged transatlantic cables terminating in Halifax, Nova Scotia and transferred across the continent via microwave relays back to our ISP and the external receiver attached to this…lamp,”  Wolowitz excitedly prefaced.

The funny thing is, the technology that the group of sitcom scientists was simulating could have just as easily been done using a Wi-Fi network controller like the WINC1500. However, at the time of airing back in March of 2008, open access for Internet users looking to control “things” around the house was seemingly something only engineers and super geeks thought possible.

We can imagine this is probably how it would’ve gone down…

Bringing Next-Generation Technology to You

In order to make the scene above possible, an Atmel | SMART SAM D21 was hooked up to the WINC1500 and connected to a solid-state relay, thereby enabling the team to control the lamp.

If this captivated your attention, then you’re in for a treat. That’s because Atmel is taking its “IoT Secure Hello World” Tech on Tour seminar on the road — starting with Europe!

As an application space, IoT sensor nodes are enabled by a number of fundamental technologies, namely a low-power MCU, some form of wireless communication and strong security. With this in mind, the Atmel IoT Secure Hello World series will offer attendees hands-on training, introducing them to some of the core technologies making the Internet of Things possible, including Wi-Fi and CryptoAuthentication.

These training sessions will showcase Atmel’s Wi-Fi capability and CryptoAuthentication hardware key storage in the context of the simplest possible use-case in order to focus attention on the practical aspects of combining the associated supporting devices and software. This includes learning how to send temperature information to any mobile device via a wireless network and how to enable the remote control of LEDs on a SAM D21 Xplained Pro board over a Wi-Fi network using a WINC1500. In addition, attendees will explore authentication of IoT nodes, as well as how to implement a secure communications link.

Take the very fundamental use-case of switching on an LED, for instance, which will represent our ‘Hello World!’ For this IoT application, the LED will be controlled using a smartphone app via the Internet, while a sensor node will be enabled to read an analog temperature sensor. The first part of the training will introduce Atmel Wi-Fi technology, which connects our embedded development kit of choice, an Atmel | SMART SAMD21 Xplained Pro, via the Atmel SmartConnect WINC1500 Wi-Fi module to a local access point. The result will be the ability to easily and securely send temperature information to any mobile device on the network, while also having remote control of the LED.

From the moment a ‘thing’ is connected, it becomes susceptible to a slew of potential security risks from hackers. That’s why the second part of the training will delve deeper into how CryptoAuthentication can be used to authenticate the temperature sensor node and host application before it can read the temperature information to avoid fake nodes. A secure communications link will be implemented using a session key to and from the remote node.

When all is said and done, building for the IoT demands innovative and secure solutions while architecting a balance between performance, scalability, compatibility, security, flexibility and energy efficiency — all of which Atmel covers extremely well.

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Atmel | Tech on Tour Agenda At-a-Glance

The Atmel team will be coming through a number of major cities, from Manchester and Milan to Munich and Moscow. Ready to join us? Be sure to register for one of the Atmel | Tech on Tour European, Asia, or North America locations today! Upon registering, you will even receive a WINC1500 Xplained Pro Starter Kit to take home.

8:30 – 9:00     Check-In and Preparation

• Assistance with installing software will be provided

9:00 – 10:15     Introduction to Atmel Wi-Fi Solution

• WINC1500/WILC1000 Hardware and Performance Overview
• Software and IoT Solution Overview
• Wi-Fi Network Controller IoT Sensor Application

10:15 – 10:30    Hands-on Introduction

10:30 – 10:45    BREAK

10:45 – 12:30    Hands-on: WINC1500 Wi-Fi Network Controller IoT Sensor Application

• Sending temperature information to any phone or tablet on the network
• Enabling remote control of LED0 on the SAM D21 Xplained Pro board

12:30 – 1:30    LUNCH

1:30 – 2:15      Introduction to Atmel CryptoAuthentication IoT Security and Technology

2:15 – 3:00      Hands-on Introduction: Authenticating IoT Nodes

• Authenticate the temp sensor node and host application before being able to read the temperature information to avoid fake nodes
• How to implement a secure communications link using a session key to and from the remote node to any phone or tablet on the network

3:00 – 3:15    BREAK

3:45 – 4:30    Hands-on: Authenticating IoT Nodes (continued…)

4:30 – 5:00    Wrap-up, Questions and Answers

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Prerequisites

Software Requirements

• Download Atmel Studio 6.2 software.
• Wireshark Packet Sniffer will be provided.

Hardware Requirements

• Attendees are required to bring a laptop. Atmel will NOT supply computers at the training.
• Please make sure to have administrator rights on your laptop.
• Laptop must have at least one Internet port and one free USB host connector.

Evaluation Kit Requirements

• Atmel | SMART SAMD21 – XPRO host MCU board
• Atmel WINC1500 module mounted ATWINC 1500 Xplained Pro Extension (Product Code: ATWINC1500-XSTK)
• Atmel Digital I/O WING extension board for sensor and SD-card input target USB

A look back at the history of the Internet of Things

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IoT Day falling on Throwback Thursday can mean only one thing… a trip down memory lane to where it all began!

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The Internet of Things (IoT) is a term first coined by Keven Ashton in 1999 during a PowerPoint presentation he made while working for Procter & Gamble. The phrase referred to a future world where all types of electronic devices link to each other via the Internet. Keep in mind, Wi-Fi was not ubiquitous back then. There was no email or social media applications on mobile devices. GPS didn’t exist in a meaningful way. Dick Tracy-like wearables were merely a pipe dream.

“If we had computers that knew everything there was to know about things — using data they gathered without any help from us — we would be able to track and count everything, and greatly reduce waste, loss, and cost. We would know when things needed replacing, repairing, or recalling, and whether they were fresh or past their best. The Internet of Things has the potential to change the world, just as the Internet did. Maybe even more so,” Ashton elaborately discussed in a 2009 RFID Journal article.

While on the surface, it may seem like something out of a sci-fi novel or an episode of The Jetsons to a vast majority of everyday folks, IoT represents a pivotal milestone in the history of the Internet as connections move beyond computing devices and begin giving once-ordinary devices new powers. While there has certainly been a tremendous amount of buzz around the concept of an intelligent, more connected world, the visions of this ‘smarter’ society date back several years.

1832

Baron Schilling von Canstatt invented the electromagnetic telegraph. A keyboard with 16 black-and-white keys served as its a transmitting device, while six galvanometers with magnetic needles suspended from silk threads acted as the receiving instrument. Later that year, Schilling managed a short-distance transmission of signals between two telegraphs in different rooms of his apartment. Not long after, Carl Friedrich Gauss and Wilhelm Weber developed their own code to communicate over a distance of 1,200 meters within Göttingen, Germany.

(Source: theapricity.com)

1844

Samuel Morse sent the first morse code public telegraph message “What hath God wrought?” from the Supreme Court chamber in the basement of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. to the B&O’s Mount Clare Station in Baltimore.

(Source: Wikipedia)

1926

Nikola Tesla revealed in an interview with Colliers Magazine’s John B. Kennedy:

“Wireless will achieve the closer contact through transmission of intelligence, transport of our bodies and materials and conveyance of energy… When wireless is perfectly applied the whole earth will be converted into a huge brain, which in fact it is, all things being particles of a real and rhythmic whole.  We shall be able to communicate with one another instantly, irrespective of distance.  Not only this, but through television and telephony we shall see and hear one another as perfectly as though we were face to face, despite intervening distances of thousands of miles; and the instruments through which we shall be able to do his will be amazingly simple compared with our present telephone.  A man will be able to carry one in his vest pocket.”

(Source: Wikipedia)

1932

Jay B. Nash wrote in Spectatoritis:

“Within our grasp is the leisure of the Greek citizen, made possible by our mechanical slaves, which far outnumber his twelve to fifteen per free man… As we step into a room, at the touch of a button a dozen light our way. Another slave sits twenty-four hours a day at our thermostat, regulating the heat of our home. Another sits night and day at our automatic refrigerator. They start our car; run our motors; shine our shoes; and cult our hair. They practically eliminate time and space by their very fleetness.”

1942

U.S. Patent 2,292,387 was granted to Hedy Kiesler Markey and George Antheil for an early version of frequency hopping.

1946

Dick Tracy introduced the two-way radio.

1950

Alan Turing noted in his article entitled “Computing Machinery and Intelligence“ for the Oxford Mind Journal:

“We may hope that machines will eventually compete with men in all purely intellectual fields. But which are the best ones to start with? Even this is a difficult decision. Many people think that a very abstract activity, like the playing of chess, would be best. It can also be maintained that it is best to provide the machine with the best sense organs that money can buy, and then teach it to understand and speak English. This process could follow the normal teaching of a child. Things would be pointed out and named, etc. Again I do not know what the right answer is, but I think both approaches should be tried.”

(Source: ScienceMuseum.org.uk)

1952

Norman Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver received the first patent for a liner barcode.

1955

Edward O. Thorp devised the first wearable computer, a pocket-sized analog device used to predict roulette wheels.

(Source: Slash Gear)

1956

In the promotional film Design for Dreaming, Frigidaire envisioned the “kitchen of tomorrow” where a housewife feeds a recipe card into a slot, which triggers a series of appliances that automatically bake a birthday cake complete with lit candles.

(Source: TreeHugger.com)

1960

Known as the “Father of Virtual Reality,” Morton Heilig received a patent for the first-ever head-mounted display. The unit featured a stereoscopic (3D) TV, wide vision and true stereo sound.

1966

German computer science pioneer Karl Steinbuch stated, “In a few decades time, computers will be interwoven into almost every industrial product.”

1969

The first host-to-host message over ARPANET (the precursor to today’s Internet) was sent. The memo on the ARPANET was transmitted by UCLA student programmer Charles S Kline at 10:30 pm on October 29th, from the campus’ Boelter Hall to the Stanford Research Institute’s SDS 940 host computer.

The Honeywell Kitchen Computer, or H316 pedestal model, was a short-lived product offered by Neiman Marcus as one of a continuing series of extravagant gift ideas. It sold for $10,000, weighed over 100 pounds and was advertised as useful for storing recipes.

1971

ALOHAnet connected the Hawaiian Islands with a UHF wireless packet network. The protocol was an early forerunner to Ethernet, and later the Wi-Fi protocol.

(Source: Wikipedia)

1973

Mario Cardullo is granted the first patent for a passive, read-write RFID tag.

1974

Vint Cerf and Stanford graduate students Yogen Dalal and Carl Sunshine published the first technical specification of TCP/IP as an Internet Experiment Note (IEN) as RFC 675.

(Source: Stanford University)

1976

AT&T and MIT held a conference that brought together of number scientists, theorists and academics to explore the future of technology. There, Bell System news magazine had the chance to catch up with Arthur C. Clarke to share his predictions of mobile devices, home computers, the Internet, Skype, email, the death of newspapers, telecommuting, and of course, “Dick Tracy wrist-radios.”

“We’re going to get devices which will enable us to send much more information to our friends. They’re going to be able to see us, we’re going to see them, we’re going to exchange pictorial information, graphical information, data, books, and so forth. [The ideal communication device] would be a high-definition TV screen with a typewriter keyboard, and through this, you can exchange any type of information. Send messages to your friends … they can wait, and when they get up, they can see what messages have come in the night. You can call in through this any information you might want: airline flights, the price of things at the supermarket, books you’ve always wanted to read, news you’ve selectively [chosen]. The machine will hunt and bring all this to you, selectively.”

1981

Steve Mann developed a wearable personal computer wired to a camera and mounted to a helmet.

1982

TCP/IP is formalized, ushering in an era of worldwide network of fully-interconnected networks, which is known today as the Internet.

(Source: Wikipedia)

1989

Tim Berners-Lee proposed the World Wide Web.

(Source: Wikipedia)

1990

The Olivetti Research Laboratory developed an active badge system using infrared signals to communicate a person’s location.

(Source: David Greaves)

John Romkey and Simon Hackett introduced the world’s first connected device other than a computer: a toaster.

1991

The first web page was created by Tim Berners-Lee.

NCR Corporation with AT&T invented the precursor to 802.11, intended for use in cashier systems. The first wireless products were under the name WaveLAN.

(Source: Wikipedia)

For the first time, the term “ubiquitous computing” was mentioned in the Scientific American article, “The Computer in the 21st Century.”

1993

Steven Feiner, Blair MacIntyre and Dorée Seligmann launched Knowledge-Based Augmented Reality for Maintenance Assistance — more commonly referred to as KARMA.

The brainchild of Quentin Stafford-Fraser and Paul Jardetzky, the Trojan Room Coffee Pot was located in the ‘Trojan Room’ within the Computer Laboratory of the University of Cambridge. The device was used to monitor the pot levels with an image being updated about 3 times per minute and sent to the building’s server.

(Source: PetaPixel.com)

1994

Mik Lamming and Mike Flynn unveiled Forget-Me-Not, a wearable device that wirelessly communicated and recorded interactions of other people and gadgets, and stored the information in a database.

(Source: WN.com)

The term “context-aware computing” was first used by B.N. Schilit and M.M. Theimer in their paper on disseminating active map information to mobile hosts.

A group of engineers at Ericsson invented a wireless communication technology, which would later go on to be called Bluetooth.

1995

Siemens established a dedicated department inside its mobile phone business unit to develop and launch a GSM data module called “M1” for M2M applications.

(Source: Wikipedia)

1998

The name Bluetooth was officially adopted.

Scott Brave, Andrew Dahley, and Professor Hiroshi Ishii of MIT’s Media Lab developed inTouch, a project that “explored new forms of interpersonal communication through touch.” The so-called shared object provided a haptic link between geographically distributed users, opening up a channel for physical expression over distance.

1999

The Auto-ID (for Automatic Identification) Center was founded at MIT by Kevin Ashton, David Brock Dr. Daniel Engels and Sanjay Sarma. That same year, Ashton officially coined the term “Internet of Things.”

Andy Stanford-Clark of IBM and Arlen Nipper of Arcom (now Eurotech) introduced the first machine-to-machine protocol for connected devices: MQ Telemetry Transport (MQTT).

(Source: IBM)

2000

LG announced the world’s first connected refrigerator: the Internet Digital DIOS. Shortly thereafter, the Hollywood film The 6th Day featured a smart fridge which informed Arnold Schwarzenegger that he was in need of milk.

The first Bluetooth-enabled devices came to market. These included a mobile phone and PC card. A few months later, the first printer, laptop and hands-free car kits would also emerge.

(Source: MacLife.com)

2002

Chana Schoenberger and Bruce Upbin published “The Internet of Things” in Forbes stating:

“Stores have eyes. Now they’re getting brains. Soon tiny wireless chips stuck on shampoo bottles and jeans will track all that you wear and buy.”

(Source: Business Insider)

David Rose and others founded Ambient Devices, a spin-off of MIT’s Media Lab, which designs and markets various ambient devices enchanted by next-gen technologies. These objects, including the Ambient Orb, uniquely display information like weather, traffic reports and stock quotes.

2003

The term “Internet of Things” continued to gain mainstream popularity as it is mentioned in notable publications like The Guardian, Scientific American and the Boston Globe.

2005

Led by Massimo Banzi, a team of students and faculty members at the Interaction Design Institute Ivrea in Ivrea, Italy developed the Arduino, a single-board microcontroller based on Atmel’s ATmega8.

The United Nations first mentioned the IoT in an International Telecommunications Union report.

2008

The IPSO Alliance was formed to promote IP connections across networks of ‘smart’ objects.

2009

According to Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group (IBSG), the IoT was born somewhere in between 2008 and 2009 at simply the point in time when more “things or objects” were connected to the Internet than people.

2010

Google debuted a self-driving vehicle project, which served as a major milestone in the development of connected cars.

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) was introduced.

2011

IPv6 is launched. The new protocol expanded the number of objects that can connect to the web by introducing 340 undecillion (340,282,366,920,938,463,463,374,607,431,768,211,456) IP addresses.

The term made its first appearance on the Gartner Hype Cycle.

Nest Labs introduced the Wi-Fi-enabled, programmable Nest Learning Thermostat.

2013

Google Glass was released to developers.

Venture Beat named 2014 as the “Year of the Internet of Things.”

(Source: VentureBeat)

2014

A number of groups seeking to spur standard and framework development surfaced, including the AllSeen Alliance, Industrial Internet Consortium and the Open Interconnect Consortium.

Amid growing concerns around data breaches and device vulnerabilities, an HP report found 70% of the most commonly used IoT devices contain serious flaws — this making the case for hardware-based protection clearer than ever before.

Atmel and Arduino team up to launch of the Arduino Wi-Fi Shield 101, a shield that enabled rapid prototyping of IoT applications for Makers.

2015

Forecasts project that 4.9 billion connected things will be in use by the end of the year — up 30% from 2014 — and will reach 25 billion by 2020.

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At Atmel, the IoT is already at the heart of what we do. We started preparing for this smarter world way back when, and now offer the industry’s most comprehensive, most highly-integrated IoT solutions. Explore them all here.

25 dev boards to help you get started on your next IoT project

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A closer look at some of today’s most popular development boards to help you get started on your next IoT design.

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With billions of everyday objects expected to become Internet-enabled over the next couple of years, Makers are continually seeking new ways to add connectivity to their designs. As a result, hobbyists and engineers are turning to a wide range of IoT development boards and platforms to better accelerate and ease the process.

Being at the heart of the IoT and all, we’ve decided to compile a list of just some of today’s most popular, Atmel powered ones that will surely help as you embark on your next prototype or project. (Keep in mind, there are countless others, with new ones popping up on the daily!)

SAM R21 Xplained Pro

The Atmel | SMART SAM R21 Xplained Pro is a hardware platform to evaluate the ATSAMR21G18A microcontroller. Supported by the Atmel Studio integrated development platform, the kit provides easy access to the features of the Atmel ATSAMR21G18A and explains how to integrate the device in a custom design. The Xplained Pro MCU series evaluation kits include an on-board Embedded Debugger, and no external tools are necessary to program or debug the ATSAMR21G18A. A great option for those developing an 802.15.4/ZigBee design.

Arduino Uno

The Arduino Uno R3 is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega328. It has 14 digital input/output pins (of which six can be used as PWM outputs), six analog inputs, a 16 MHz crystal oscillator, a USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP header, and a reset button. Simply connect it to a computer via a USB cable or power it with a AC-to-DC adapter or battery to get started.

Arduino Yún

The Arduino Yún is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega32U4 and the Atheros AR9331. The board comes with built-in Ethernet and Wi-Fi support, along with a USB-A port, microSD card slot, 20 digital input/output pins (of which seven can be used as PWM outputs and 12 as analog inputs), a 16 MHz crystal oscillator, a micro USB connection, an ICSP header, and three reset buttons. What’s more, Facebook’s Parse recently unveiled a new line of SDKs for connected devices with the first Arduino SDK targeted for the Yún.

Arduino Pro Mini

Intended for semi-permanent installation in connected objects, the Arduino Pro Mini is based on the ATmega328. The board boasts 14 digital input/output pins (of which six can be used as PWM outputs), six analog inputs, an on-board resonator, a reset button, and holes for mounting pin headers. A six-pin header can be connected to an FTDI cable or Sparkfun breakout board to provide USB power and communications.

Arduino Nano

The Arduino Nano is a small, breadboard-friendly board based on the ATmega328. The microcontroller has more or less the same functionality of the Arduino Duemilanove, but in a different package. It lacks a DC power jack, and works with a Mini-B USB cable instead of a standard one.

Pinoccio

With an Atmel ATmega256RFR2 at its core, Pinoccio is a wireless, web-ready MCU packed with Wi-Fi, LiPo battery and a built-in radio. Each unit can communicate with one another using a mesh network, making them 14 times more efficient than standard Wi-Fi devices.

TinyDuino

The TinyCircuits TinyDuino is an Arduino-compatible, ATmega328P based board in an ultra-compact package that provides Makers with the full power of an Uno in a size that’s less than a quarter.

UDOO

UDOO is a multi-development platform solution for Android, Linux, Arduino and Google ADK 2012. The board, which is built upon an ARM Cortex-A9 CPU and Atmel | SMART SAM3X8E ARM Cortex-M3 CPU, is designed to provide a flexible environment that lets Makers explore the new frontiers of the Internet of Things and switch between Linux and Android in a matter of seconds, simply by replacing the MicroSD card and rebooting the system.

Libelium Waspmote

Waspmote is an open-source, ATmega1281 based wireless sensor platform specially focused on the implementation of low consumption modes to enable the sensor nodes to be completely autonomous and battery powered, offering a variable lifetime between one and five years depending on the duty cycle and the radio used.

The AirBoard

The AirBoard is a thumb-sized, all-in-one MCU designed for ultra-fast prototyping on IoT projects. The open-source board is equipped with an ATmega328P and pre-loaded with the standard Arduino Fio bootloader. The wireless-friendly computer supports automatic over-the-air programming via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or XBee, and can be controlled by smartphone or the web.

Tessel 2

Tessel 2 is an affordable, accessible and robust development platform that lets Makers build connected hardware devices. The board packs built-in Wi-Fi, an Ethernet jack, a pair of USB ports, and a system that runs real Node.js/io.js. Meanwhile, it employs a processor/coprocessor architecture, combining an Atmel | SMART SAM D21 Cortex M0+ MCU to control I/O and a Mediatek MT7260n Wi-Fi router SoC to run user code, host USB devices and handle the network connections.

panStamps

panStamps are small wireless modules programmable within the Arduino IDE. Each module contains an Atmega328P MCU and an RF interface, providing the necessary connectivity and processing power to create autonomous low-power wireless motes.

Flutter

Flutter is a $36 wireless Arduino with a half-mile range that lets users develop mesh networking protocols and connected devices in an efficient yet inexpensive manner. It’s perfect for robotics, consumer electronics, wireless sensor networks, and educational platforms. Flutter is packed with a powerful Atmel | SMART SAM3S Cortex-M3 processor, while an ATSHA204 crypto engine keeps it protected from digital intruders.

SODAQ

SODAQ is a LEGO-like rapid prototyping board driven by an ATmega328P that gives Makers and engineers the ability to easily connect a wide variety of sensors and devices to the Internet efficiently. With its solar powered data acquisition technology, data can be collected virtually anywhere and seamlessly transferred to the web.

IMUduino BTLE

Billed as the smallest Arduino Leonardo compatible clone, the IMUduino includes an ATmega32U4 at its core, as well as USB keyboard/mouse emulation, on-board Bluetooth LE, real-time orientation and motion sensing IMU, as well as a 10V max voltage regulator.

SparkFun RedBoard

The SparkFun RedBoard combines the simplicity of the Arduino Uno’s Optiboot bootloader, the stability of the FTDI and the R3 shield compatibility of the latest Arduino Uno. The ATmega328 based board can be programmed over a USB Mini-B cable using the Arduino IDE.

XinoRF

The XinoRF is an Arduino-compatible electronics development board with an onboard 2-way Ciseco SRF data radio, which supports over-the-air programming, features built-in wireless capabilities and is powered by an ATmega328P.

The Rascal

The Rascal is a small, AT91SAM9G20 powered computer that Makers can use to monitor and control their connected world remotely. In addition, it features its own web-based editor on-board, is compatible with most Arduino shields, and can be programmed in Python.

Microduino

Microduino is a quarter-sized Arduino-like board with an ATmega328P at its heart. With a unique UPin-27 pinout, Microduino’s plug-and-play modules can be easily stacked together to add functionalities.

Nanode

Nanode is an open-source, Arduino-like board that is equipped with built-in Internet connectivity and based on an ATmega328P. The low-cost, upgradeable board is ideal for those looking to bring their IoT ideas to life.

OpenKontrol Gateway

The OpenKontrol Gateway is an ATmega328 driven kit that enables communication between many common mediums and protocols. It is totally compatable with the Arduino IDE and supports Wi-Fi, low-power RF, Ethernet and Bluetooth. Beyond that, it can be configured with on-board SRAM, an SD card, a real-time clock, and a coin-cell battery and sports an FTDI programming port.

Arietta G25

Arietta G25 is an uber-mini system-on-module powered by a SAM9G25 ARM9 processor. The 20mm x 50mm board, which was developed with the Maker community in mind, is ideal for low-power, embedded gadgets and other DIY IoT devices.

WIOT

WIOT is an open-source, rechargeable development board for the Internet of Things built around the ATmega32U4. WIOT also boasts integrated Wi-Fi capabilities through an on-board ESP8266 module.

SmartEverything

SmartEverything is a dev board equipped with sensor options, communication interfaces and connection to the cloud for IoT designs. An Atmel | SMART ARM Cortex-M0+ based CPU USB host orchestrator chip manages traffic between peripherals, while an Atmel CryptoAuthentication device (ATSHA204) enables the implementation of a full security SHA-256 hash algorithm with message authentication code. The board utilizes the SIGFOX global network cellular connectivity solution to enable access to the IoT.

Apio

Apio is an open-source IoT platform, which lets Makers and designers create their own smart systems and connected objects in a matter of minutes. It is comprised of two USB devices, the General and Dongle, both of which are based on an ATmega256RFR2 and ATmega16U2, along with a custom operating system and SDK.

LightBlue Bean

The LightBlue Bean is a Bluetooth Low Energy, Arduino-compatible microcontroller. Using Bluetooth 4.0, it is wirelessly programmed, runs on a coin cell battery and is perfect for smartphone-controlled projects. Powered by an ATmega328P, the board features a three-axis accelerometer, a temperature sensor, an RGB LED, and includes iOS, OS X and Windows 8 support.

Festo unveils a pair of insect-inspired robots

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These robotic ants and butterflies act like the real things.

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Well, it looks like Festo’s SmartBird, BionicKangaroo and BionicOpter are getting two new siblings. That’s because the German automation company has introduced the latest addition to its growing family of biomimetic robots: an ant and a butterfly.

The cooperative behavior of the real-life creatures is transferred to tech world using complex control algorithms. (Source: Festo)

First, the aptly named BionicANTS are designed to cooperatively operate. In other words, as a whole, they can complete complex tasks such as move larger objects, head to a specific location or conduct their own flash mob if they’d really like. Each 5.3-inch BionicANT is comprised of various components that are laser-sintered and finished with visible conductor structures and electrical circuits attached to its exterior.

The artificial ants can solve a complex task together working as an overall networked system. (Source: Festo)

A majority of the ant’s frame, as well as the electronic circuits located on the outside of its body, are 3D-printed. A radio module on its abdomen enables the robots to communicate with one another, while piezo-ceramic bending transducers are tasked with pushing movements, lifting its legs and activating its gripping jaws. A 3D stereo camera in the ant’s head allows it to see, an infrared optical sensor on its underside records the distance traveled, and a microprocessor distributes all the necessary signals. Beyond that, a pair of on-board Li-Po batteries provide up to 40 minutes of wireless power, before requiring to be recharged in a dock via their feelers.

Each butterfly is autonomous, using independently controllable wings to fly preprogrammed routes. (Source: Festo)

Similarly, the beautiful eMotionButterfly also uses collective behavior through an intelligent networking system. As they soar through the sky, they can manuever along pre-programmed paths inside special areas equipped with 10 high-speed infrared cameras — this keeps them from crashing into each other, walls or any other object. Each 20-inch butterfly weighs just 32 grams, and are equipped with two servo motors, some electronics and two small Li-Po batteries that gives them enough juice to fly at 2.5 meters per second for four minutes before they need to be recharged.

If you squint really, really hard… (Source: Festo)

Interested in learning more? Fly on over to Festo’s official page here, and be sure to watch both the ants and butterflies in action below.

Report: Half of consumers believe smart home devices will be mainstream by 2020

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New research from Bluetooth SIG shows that many folks are ready to live like the Jetsons.

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A survey conducted by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has revealed that nearly half (46%) of consumers believe smart home devices will be mainstream by 2020. The study had explored the attitudes of American, German and British consumers towards connected living, and as a whole, discovered tremendous excitement around not only potential applications but future installations, too.

Bluetooth SIG also that 6% of those surveyed already accepted that the era of the smart home has indeed arrived, with two-thirds (66%) thinking that smart home devices will be mainstream within the next decade. This strong consumer interest was tempered by their high expectations for simplicity and cost-effectiveness.

When asked what is required for commonplace purchases of such devices, 54% of respondents cited simplicity and straightforwardness in use with 41% believing that they should be easy to configure. Moreover, 28% suggested that these gadgets should connect seamlessly with a smartphone, tablet or PC. Nearly three-quarters (73%) admitted they would be frustrated if it took too long to set up a smart home unit.

“This study confirms consumers are looking for smart home products that ‘just work’,” added Mark Powell, Executive Director of the Bluetooth SIG. “It’s evident demand for smart home devices is ramping up and consumers are keen to live in the scenarios conjured up by the Jetsons over 60 years ago. Smart home manufacturers need to deliver products that are simple, cost-effective and secure for this segment to become mainstream.”

Evident by the sheer number of hacks and discovered flaws in recent months, it’s no surprise that 42% of consumers felt that keeping their data secure was paramount in the decision-making process. 67% of those surveyed were also concerned that some smart home devices would make their data vulnerable.

Despite all of the buzz surround intelligent appliances, like washing machines and kitchen gadgetry, the research unearthed that the hype is yet to materialize into actual demand from consumers. Keyword being ‘yet.’ In fact, the devices consumers find most appealing are highly convenient solutions that enable them to control their environment, such as smart heating/thermostats (45%), smart lighting (34%) and smart security/monitoring devices (33%).

As Bluetooth SIG explains, the results certainly conveyed a preference towards the smart home solutions that offer tangible benefits, ranging from controlling their heating or lighting remotely to cut down on bills (66%) to receiving smartphone notifications from their home security system if it detects a threat (73%).

The results showed a preference towards the smart home solutions that offer tangible benefits as well. For example, 66 percent of consumers say that being able to control their heating or lighting remotely would help them save energy and cut their energy bills. A further 73 percent would like to receive smartphone notifications from their home security system if it detects a threat.​

“It’s clear there is an appetite for these kinds of solutions but widespread adoption will require the use of mainstream connectivity technologies,” Powell concluded. “As we’ve seen in other segments, niche technologies simply cannot provide the simplicity, interoperability and security that consumers demand. Bluetooth Smart technology offers all those things with an enormous install base in smartphones, tablets and PCs, a simple pairing process and AES-128 bit cryptography for maximum security. While consumers feel smart home devices aren’t quite mainstream yet, Bluetooth is already paving the way for manufacturers to deliver the products consumers want. These manufacturers can also be confident in the knowledge that Bluetooth Smart has a development environment that makes it easy to bring these products to market.”

More than ever, consumers have high expectations for home appliances. With billions of connected devices expected in the coming years, users will demand sophisticated, feature-rich products that are reliable, easy-to-use, and most of all, secure. Whether it’s refrigeration, cooking or washing, Atmel has you covered. Want to continue reading? You can find all of Bluetooth SIG’s findings here.