There will be 6.4 billion connected devices by next year

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By 2016, 5.5 million things will become connected to the Internet each day.

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Just in case you needed any more validation that the Internet of Things has arrived, get ready for several billion smart objects in our world by as early as next year. According to Gartner, the number of devices connected to the Internet is actually expected to exceed 6.4 BILLION come the end of 2016. This mind-blowing figure represents a 30% increase from 2015, and is projected to continuing rising to 20.8 billion by 2020.

To put this number into perspective, 5.5 million new “things” will become connected every day. As a result, the growing IoT will support total services spending of $235 billion in 2016, up 22% from 2015. Beyond that, Gartner anticipates most of that money will be spent on what it calls the “professional category” — services in which businesses contract with external providers in order to design, install and operate intelligent systems. At the same time, both “connectivity services” and “consumer services” are also expected to grow at an exceptionally fast pace.

“IoT services are the real driver of value in IoT, and increasing attention is being focused on new services by end-user organisations and vendors,” Gartner VP Jim Tully explains.

Aside from connected cars, Gartner believes that consumer applications will account for the greatest number of smart gadgets, while enterprise will account for the largest spending. The analyst firm estimates that four billion connected things will be in use in the consumer sector next year, and will hit 13.5 billion over the next five years.

In terms of hardware spending, consumer applications will amount to $546 billion in 2016, while the use of connected things in the enterprise will drive $868 billion in 2016.

When examining the enterprise computing segment, Gartner says it considers two classes of connected things. The first class consists of generic or cross-industry devices that are used in multiple industries, such as smart light bulbs, HVAC and building management systems that are mainly deployed for purposes of cost savings. Meanwhile, the second class includes vertical-specific machines that are found in particular industries, like specializes equipment used in hospital operating theaters and tracking devices in container ships.

“Connected things for specialised use are currently the largest category, however, this is quickly changing with the increased use of generic devices. By 2020, cross-industry devices will dominate the number of connected things used in the enterprise,” Tully adds.

Xiaomi announces a lineup of smart home devices

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To celebrate its fifth anniversary, Xiaomi has unveiled the Mi Smart Scale, the Mi TV2 and Mi Power Strip.

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It was only five years ago that Xiaomi was founded, and in that time, the China-based company has catapulted itself atop the mobile technology industry. According to IDC, the brand is now the third largest smartphone maker in the world followed by Lenovo and LG at fourth and fifth place, respectively. Beyond that, the world’s most valuable tech startup became the largest smartphone vendor in China last year, having overtaken Samsung. In fact, a recent press release projects over 100 million units to be sold in 2015.

In celebration of its fifth anniversary, which is actually April 6th, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun announced five new products, some of which targeting the burgeoning smart home market. Among those devices include the Mi Smart Scale, the Mi TV2 and Mi Power Strip. Two phones, a pink version of the company’s flagship Mi Note and the RedMi 2A, were also revealed.

First, the Mi Smart Scale connects with your smartphone via Bluetooth, enabling you to track weight, BMI and other sorts of data using its accompanying Mi Fit app. It has a precision of 50g (1.8 oz) and can track weights between 5kg to 150kg (11lbs. to 330 lbs). The scale features a glass platform and LED display, which remains hidden until stepped on.

Meanwhile, the Mi TV2 is a 4K LED TV that runs Android to offer smart features. The 55-inch system comes with a wireless eight-speaker sound bar and aluminum subwoofer.

Finally, there’s the new Mi Power Strip, which includes three power sockets and three USB ports that allow for quick 2.1A charging for tablets and larger phones. The product was designed with safety in mind, including surge protection, childproof features, as well as comprised of fire-resistant materials.

This group of products will be made available at special prices in China beginning April 8th. Given that the company will soon be opening an online Mi Store for accessories in both U.S. and Europe, it may not be too long before you too can obtain these gadgets. Those interested in learning more can head over to the company’s official page here, or check out a slew of photos from the anniversary launch event here.

Report: Smart cities will use 1.1 billion connected things in 2015

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Smart homes to lead with 294 million smart objects in use this year.

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Powered by the Internet of Things (IoT), the smart city of tomorrow will feature intelligent buildings, roads and public transport systems that are connected to each other and its inhabitants through sensors. This real-time information exchange will save people time, reduce environmental impact, lessen traffic and even create value for businesses along the way. Though still relatively new here in the United States, the advent of smart cities has already started taking shape across the world.

Smart homes and commercial buildings will represent 45% of all connected objects in 2015 and 81% by the end of 2020, according to a new report from Gartner. The study also estimates that 1.1 billion Internet-enabled items will be used by smart cities in 2015 with that number to rise to 9.7 billion over the next five years.

The majority of IoT spending for smart cities will come from the private sector, explained Gartner Research VP Bettina Tratz-Ryan. This will surely be some great news for technology companies and service providers that stand to benefit most in terms of revenue.

According to the report, there are a wide-range of IoT deployments for on-street and off-street parking guidance, road traffic guidance and traffic flow metering as well. A quick win within transport is the reduction of traffic congestion. California and the UK have already begun implementing radio receivers or sensors that are embedded on a section of highway to diagnose traffic conditions in real time. Another successful use of IoT in the city is smart parking. The city of Los Angeles, for instance, has been deploying new parking meters, parking space vehicle sensors, real-time parking guidance and a full parking management system to influence demand during peak times.

Beyond that, residential citizens will lead the way by increasingly investing in smart home solutions, with the amount of connected things used in smart homes currently at 294 million and projected to hit 1 billion units by 2017. These include smart LED lighting, healthcare monitoring, smart locks and various sensors for such things as motion detection or carbon monoxide. Smart LED lighting will record the highest growth of IoT consumer applications, from 6 million units in 2015 to 570 million units by 2020. As the study reveals, light will migrate from being an illumination source to a communications carrier incorporating safety, health, pollution and personalized services.

We expect that by 2020, many IoT TSPs will have grown their hardware revenues through services and software by more than 50 percent,” Tratz-Ryan concluded. The researcher goes on to say that smart home security and safety will represent the second-largest service market by revenue in 2017, and that come 2020, the smart healthcare and fitness market will have grown to nearly $38 billion.

Interested in reading more? You can find the entire Gartner report here. Meanwhile, discover how Atmel is powering the IoT by focusing on edge nodes, a category that includes everything from smart home appliances to infrastructures for smart cities.

Are you ready for a smart kitchen?

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Here are 5 reasons why the smart kitchen will be a $10 billion opportunity. 

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Who remembers the Disney Channel hit Smart House? For those who may not recall, the 1999 flick centered around a family who won a computerized house that ends up taking on a life of its own. While some of the features may have been a bit far-fetched, Disney certainly helped paint a clear picture of the kitchen of tomorrow — one in which can learn its owners’ eating habits through atmospheric sensors and whip up beverages and other snacks instantaneously.

Now 15 years later, a Smart House-like future is coming to fruition. As the ever-evolving Internet of Things continues to experience widespread adoption, one of the areas in the smart home that is expected to see the greatest change over the next decade is, indeed, the kitchen. According to a recent report from NextMarket Insights, the result of this burgeoning technology will make way for a $10.1 billion smart kitchen market by 2020. Running out of milk, eggs or cold cuts? Replenish your stock with just a press of a button. The study, which was conducted back in October, found that out of all connected kitchen appliances, many consumers favor refrigerators that’ll allow them to monitor food inventory with their smartphone.

“Whether it’s food storage, preparation, or the act of cooking itself, the arrival of new technologies will enable consumers to become more efficient, knowledgable and possibly even better cooks in coming years,” explained Michael Wolf, NextMarket Insights Chief Analyst. “As a result, we believe that appliance makers, smart home companies as well as those who provide food to consumers will see both enormous opportunity as well as disruption to their existing businesses with the arrival of the smart kitchen.”

Surveying over 500 households, the study revealed that the next-gen technologies are already beginning to alter the way consumers interact, prepare and consume their food. Nearly one-quarter (24%) who were self-proclaimed cooks already use a tablet or smartphone “all the time” when in the kitchen to help them prep meals, while another 34% indicated they use a tablet or smartphone “sometimes.”

“Appliance and device makers are integrating smart features at both the high and low end of the device spectrum,” Wolf adds.

It wasn’t simply the notion of smart fridges that accelerated consumers’ appetites for the IoT era. Other notable devices in the connected kitchen that most appealed to them included smart coffee makers, oven ranges and crock pots.

Writing for Forbes, Wolf recently highlighted a handful of reasons as to why the smart kitchen will, in fact, be a $10 billion opportunity:

1. The technology is already there: Nearly a quarter of cooks already use a mobile device to help in the kitchen.

2. They will reduce waste: With smart kitchen tech, not only can you see what’s in your fridge while mobile, some are beginning to tell us about is about to expire.

3. Technology can make us better cooks: As everything from ovens to thermometers get connected, users will be able to easily tap into cooking guide apps and datasets.

4. They will make us all healthier: Future devices will enable us to closely monitor and synchronize food consumption with our health and fitness routines, as well as help those with very specific dietary restrictions monitor what’s really in our food.

5. They will make us safer: Compliance organizations are already working closely with manufacturers to enable smart connectivity to allow for remote shut off of appliances like stoves and ranges.

So, how close are we to a Jetsons-like world? If it’s up to companies like Whirlpool, GE, LG and Belkin, soon… very soon. While Whirlpool says some of the concepts may only be five years out from ubiquity, others like LG have already started to make the smart kitchen a reality. Take their latest connected fridge for instance, which uses its companion HomeChat app to communicate with an owner’s mobile device to let them know what items are needed while at the grocery store. Using its built-in camera positioned at the top of the main compartment, users can now easily monitor exactly what’s inside their fridge right from their smartphone. Or, GE, who has not only launched a wireless induction cooktop but is retrofitting older appliances with Wi-Fo modules. Another example, Mr. Coffee. Belkin and Jarden joined forces to debut their latest automatic, web-enabled coffee maker. Based on WeMo technology, the 10-cup Mr. Coffee Smart Optimal Brew can be remotely controlled right from bed via from any Android or iOS device.

Intrigued? Here’s a look at just some of the latest once-ordinary kitchen “things” given new “powers.”

​Sigfox shows off partner solutions for its growing network

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The French IoT startup is launching 902 MHz network nationwide in United States.

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While a vast majority of the mobile carriers are focused on super fast networks for their smartphone subscribers, our friends at Sigfox are tapping into an entirely different trend, a slow network. While that concept may seem like a bit of an oxymoron in today’s constantly-connected world, the French startup has found a significant customer base and some pretty big partners along that way, given its advantages like low cost and low power consumption.

Sigfox utilizes UNB (Ultra Narrow Band) radio technology to connect devices to its global network. 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), and don’t go more than a few hundred bits per second, but cost as little as $1 per connection per year.

The result is a simple, low-power network that can be deployed at a fraction of the cost of a traditional cellular network – without any risk of collisions or capacity problems. Due to power-emission regulations in the unlicensed band, Sigfox customers can only receive 140 messages per day from their devices, however. What’s more, those messages can only contain around 100 character and customers can send only four messages per day.

(Source: CNET)

As CNET reports, the company showed off a number of these partnerships during Mobile World Congress, including a device from Securitas that detects if a car has been stolen and another from Traqueur to track it afterward, a monitor from Seur that ensures the “cold chain” is intact for refrigerated shipping, a solution from Air Liquide that helps analyze the condition of the gas tanks it sells, as well as a parking space tracker that sends alarts when a spot is empty or occupied. (You can find pictures of each of the new partner solutions here.)

“The mainstream mobile industry caters to mobile phone users watching video and posting selfies, pumping as much data as possible over today’s 4G network and racing to pump even more data with tomorrow’s 5G. Sigfox, though, limits network message length to just 12 bytes,” CNET’s Stephen Shankland writes.

At the moment, the startup is in the process of rolling out its slow-speed IoT network in San Francisco with greater aspirations of covering 90% of the U.S. population within the next three years. Want to continue reading? Head over to the company’s official page here. Meanwhile, don’t forget to explore Atmel’s ATA8520 device, which recently achieved the Sigfox-ready certification, making it the first Sigfox Ready-certified system-on-chip (SoC) solution. You can learn more about that here.

Misfit Flash will soon control your smart home

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Goes to show, the age of connected living has arrived. 

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Back at CES 2015, wearable technology was once again smack dab in the middle of all the buzz. This time, the focus shifted towards its role in the burgeoning Internet of Things, most notably connected living. Among the notable companies leading the pack was Misfit, who revealed plans to move beyond fitness tracking with particular attention towards the smart home.

Released last year, Flash is an entry-level wearable boasting a sleek and sporty design that measures your activity and sleep and syncs with your smartphone. That same connected functionally will soon serve as remote control for in-house devices as well, ranging from the lights to the thermostat and beyond. Flash will be compatible with a wide-range of smart home platforms and services, including IFTTT, Logitech’s Harmony API, Nest thermostats, August Smart Locks, as well as Misfit’s own Bolt light bulbs. For instance, double-clicking the band’s lone button will allow wearers to start a Spotify playlist or turn on the lights, while holding it down can set the mood or a desirable temperature.

Seeing as though it only has one button, Flash’s interactions with other smart devices may be limited. Needless to say, the integration definitely demonstrates how wearable tech and the Internet of Things can work together. Hendrik Bartel, an analyst at Gartner, told the Wall Street Journal that Flash’s app and smart home controls are a testament to the progress of the so-called IoT. “Sometimes it may feel like Misfit doesn’t have much of an identity, because they make fitness and sleep trackers and smart lightbulbs. But, really, that’s how the Internet of Things is. It’s the Internet of Everything. And we’re still in the early stages of that.”

Report: IIoT could add $14.2 trillion to the global economy by 2030

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Accenture reveals that the Industrial Internet of Things will accelerate the reinvention of sectors that account for almost two-thirds of world output.

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While the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to infiltrate the consumer world, a new report from Accenture reveals that the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is also expected to boost growth in mature markets.

By 2030, capital investments in the IIoT and the productivity gains that should follow are expected to add $6.1 trillion to the United States’ cumulative GDP, the firm said. Potential gains from the IIoT — which refers to new digital services and business models based on intelligent connected devices and machines — could be at risk if companies or governments fail to take sufficient actions to put in place the conditions necessary for the wide adoption of the smart technology.

If the U.S. were to invest 50% more in IIoT technologies and improve enabling factors, such as its skills and broadband networks, the gain could reach $7.1 trillion by 2030, raising its GDP 2.3 percent higher in 2030 than trend projections. The report goes on to note that Germany could also enhance its cumulative GDP by $700 billion during the same time period by taking similar additional actions, raising its GDP 1.7%. Meanwhile, the UK could increase GDP by $531 billion, lifting its GDP in 2030 by 1.8% over trend projections. With IIoT-enhanced measures in place, Accenture projects that China could up its cumulative GDP by $1.8 trillion as well.

The firm surveyed more than 1,400 global business leaders, of whom 736 are CEOs. At the moment, nearly six in 10 (57%) of these corporate executives state that new revenues will be the greatest opportunity of the IIoT, while a number of their companies are focused on using the IIoT to make efficiency gains and see employee productivity and reduced operational expenses, cited by 46% and 44% respectively, as the most likely benefits for their companies. In addition, 87% of business leaders believe that the IIoT will be a net creator of jobs.

“The Industrial Internet of Things will make every worker a knowledge worker, enabling machine operators and other workers to use data to achieve more with equipment than they can today,” said Paul Daugherty, Accenture CTO. “It’s not just about productivity but about being able to offer new value with the help of data delivered to workers in new ways. The Industrial Internet of Things will not only augment work, but result in more virtual and collaborative working environments, as well as create entirely new categories of jobs.”

The IIoT is define as a network of physical objects, systems platforms and applications that contain embedded technology to communicate and share intelligence with each other, the external environment and with people. Interested in reading more about the topic? You can access the entire Accenture report here, and browse through the Bits & Pieces archive here.

CNET talks chipmakers and the Internet of Things

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And who said big things can’t come in tiny packages? 

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As seen throughout the CES 2015 show floor, the Internet of Things (IoT) is more apparent than ever before. From the kitchen to the office to the body, we’re entering a future world where all types of electronic devices are linked to each other via the web. In 2009, there were 2.5 billion connected devices, with a majority of these were smartphones, PCs and tablets. Over the next five years, that number is expected to rise to 33 billion — which is approximately four web-enabled “things” for every person on the planet. Furthermore, analysts project the IoT market to grow on average by 13% year-over-year through 2020, reaching $3.04 trillion.

Writing for CNET, Ben Fox Rubin highlights the ubiquity of IoT at the world’s largest electronics show, noting that it was nearly impossible to come across a booth or press conference without mention of the phrase and how it could change the way people interact with their cars, clothes and coffeemakers.

“There’s still an enormous amount of work to be done to make the concept a reality, but that’s not stopping chip companies from diving into the nascent space to define what a connected world will look like. The stakes are high. Chipmakers that succeed will be able to call the shots in a new and potentially lucrative market, while those that fall behind could be relegated to also-ran status,” Rubin explains.

While the Internet of Things may conjure a number of definitions, the general concept comes down to making just about any conceivable object “smarter.” The idea spans across a number of industries, ranging from smart cities to wireless health to wearable technology.

“We’re in for fun times because we are in the midst of a land grab,” Gartner analyst Alfonso Velosa told CNET. 

Rubin notes that looking at the battle at the chip level is useful because chipmakers are developing the foundation for the entire IoT market and, as a result, provide an early glimpse of the new world to come. He couldn’t be more correct. In fact, Atmel is powering the edge nodes that form the link between individual devices and the gateways that connect to the cloud, supplying Makers and designers with all the basic building blocks – from embedded processing and connectivity to sensors, security and software – and tying it all together with a rich ecosystem of design tools and development partners.

“Many chipmaker executives said that with just a dash of additional R&D, they can sell existing technologies into new industries,” Rubin shares. While larger corporations, such as Intel and Qualcomm, are able to take a multi-faceted approach by going after various targets simultaneously, moderately-sized players are taking a more targeted, strategic approach.

Gartner’s Velosa reveals that some of the leaders in IoT so far are major players in microcontrollers, including Atmel. “These microcontroller players should be able to worm their products into all sorts of new objects — from garage doors to lighting to sprinkler heads — potentially making such companies a much bigger part of consumers’ lives.”

Furthermore, given the fact that MCUs are already being embedded in countless products and places, analysts believe that the companies that build them are experienced in selling to thousands of customers in a variety of industries, making them well-suited for IoT.

“There’s going to be a huge appetite for the tiny things,” stated Forrester analyst Frank Gillett.

“I think the microcontrollers are best positioned, because they can sell to a broad base of products to a broad base of customers,” emphasized Atmel SVP Reza Kazerounian, which puts companies like Atmel in the “sweet spot” for tomorrow’s constantly-connected world.

Want to read more? Continue on over to the entire CNET article here.

10 technologies that will make the IoT a reality

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Gizmos and gadgets a-plenty, whozits and whatzits galore. Internet of Thingamabobs?

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The Internet of Things (IoT) is being hailed as the next big area of growth. While the specific predictions vary, the number of electronic devices connecting to the web is anticipated to increase dramatically, with the IoT representing tens of billions of devices in just the next several years. Evident by the sheer volume of products on display at International CES, 2015 will undoubtedly be the year where we see our homes, cars, jewelry and just about everything else get smarter. As the world around us goes online, The Telegraph has highlighted the 10 technologies that will make the IoT a reality.

Smart Energy

Energy management was one of the original focuses of Internet of Things development, with smart thermostats like Google Nest, Hive, Tado and Honeywell offering systems that allow home owners to adjust their temperature and hot water settings from a smartphone. Some of these systems are also capable of learning a user’s habits and adjusting settings to fit the inhabitant’s preferences.

Smart Lighting

Smart lighting systems like Philips Hue allow users to adjust the color and brightness of the lighting in their home from a smartphone, according to their mood. Similar lighting systems from companies like LG can also be programmed to act as an alarm clock, for example, gradually getting brighter from a chosen time in the morning, or flashing when the user receives a phone call.

Connected Appliances

Being able to control home appliances while on-the-go has become a huge area of growth for the Internet of Things. One company that has already made a big splash in 2015 is Whirlpool, whose futuristic kitchen will allow a suite of devices to communicate with one another. This includes turning on the oven, adjusting the temperature, being informed when food is about to spoil and suggesting what to make for dinner — all via smartphone. Then, there are smaller appliances like Belkin’s WeMo crockpot and Smarter’s Wi-Fi coffee machine that make prepping a meal or brewing a cup o’ joe remotely easier than ever.

Smart Security

Today, mobile devices are becoming increasingly popular choices for both identity management and access control. Take for example, Goji Smart Locks which bypass the need for keys, allowing users to gain access into a home with the simple tap of a smartphone or electronic fob, and get a text when the locks are activated. Or, August Smart Locks that enable homeowners to send a virtual key to anyone they choose. Meanwhile, devices like the Bluesmart suitcase not only can be unlocked from a mobile device, but automatically locks itself when its built-in proximity sensors detect it is no longer near a user’s side. Other startups gaining mainstream notoriety in this area include BeON Burglar Deterrent that can give off the impression of a lived-in home, as well as Novi Security DIY system that can sense smoke and motion, send photo notifications and monitor homes in real-time.

Driverless Cars

The IoT isn’t just about making things inside homes and adorned to wrists smarter, but those in cars as well. Google recently kickstarted consumer interest in self-driving cars, when it began testing its driverless vehicles in Silicon Valley. Since then, Mercedes, Audi and BMW have all announced their own self-driving car prototypes — many of which can be controlled using smartphone and in some cases, even smartwatches, as exhibited at CES.

Self-Tending Gardens

Nothing’s worse than watching plants die as a result of pure forgetfulness or laziness. Luckily, the IoT is blossoming in the agricultural world. In fact, a number of brands are assisting growers care for their plants — automatically. Parrot’s Flower Power H20 autonomously waters pots using exactly the right amount of water at exactly the right time, while also dishing out some personalised advice through its companion mobile app. Meanwhile, Edyn’s smart garden system monitors and tracks environmental conditions, helping users make their mini nursery flourish.

Wearables

Wearable devices are often thought of as separate from the Internet of Things, but the health and fitness data from these gadgets is increasingly being fed back into the wider network. Jawbone’s Up tracker can monitor sleep patterns and set smartphone alarms to go off at the optimal time, based on a body’s natural sleep cycle. The TomTom Runner GPS watch helps improve runs, while the Huawei TalkBand B1 combines the functionality of both a fitness tracker and Bluetooth headset in one.

Drones

Drones are also often put in a category of their own, but beyond being amusing toys, they could also form an integral part of the IoT. At CES, anti-collision UAVs demonstrated the wide-range of applications for autonomous navigation, whereas brands like Amazon and DHL have already explored the use of drones for real-time deliveries.

Smart Cities

In order for the IoT to truly come to fruition, connectivity has to transcend well beyond just the devices we use, and instead, become integrated into the environment around us. From sensor-networked traffic lights that adjust their wait time based on congestion levels to digitally-monitored parking spaces that can fluctuate prices based on space availability, cities are becoming smarter by the day.

Intelligent Networks

At its core, tomorrow’s smarter world will require intelligent networking technologies, like ZigBee and 5G, to ensure that this infrastructure will be fast yet affordable enough to support the influx of connected devices. Only when this is in place will the Internet of Things become a reality.

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Are you ready to integrate connectivity into your next design? Explore the necessary building blocks for broad market adoption here.

Pantelligent is like an ordinary frying pan but smarter

As we prepare for the holidays, we’re sure many out there would agree: “Cooking takes too much time and energy. And, the result is not always amazing.” Isn’t that the truth?

Thanks to a team of four MIT engineers and chefs, a newly-launched smart pan is hoping to bring consistency in and take the guesswork out of  the kitchen. Imagine if that frying pan of yours suddenly gave you the skills of a master chef, rivaling the likes of Wolfgang Puck or Emeril Lagasse. Bam!

The aptly named Pantelligent features a temperature sensor (in its base) that communicates over Bluetooth (in its handle) with its companion smartphone app, guiding you through the process of cooking just about anything. Think of it as a digital Cooking for Dummies, telling you what, when and how to do it. Without all the reading, of course!

The mobile app is pre-loaded with dozens of recipes, ranging from buttermilk pancakes and crepes to seared scallops and beef stroganoff. In the mood to whip up dinner? Simply choose a recipe, then let the pan and its app take you through the rest. This is done through a “patent-pending design that accurately measures the temperature of the pan’s cooking surface,” a company rep explains.

Sure, experienced chefs can use this connected frying pan as well. Throw out those old-fashioned thermometers because Pantelligent’s sensors will notify you when your food is at the right temperature. In its “freestyle” mode, users can set a target temp for the pan and be alerted if the pan ever gets too hot or cold. This mode works like a “sous chef that never gets distracted.”

Having already achieved its $30,000 crowdfunding goal in a matter of days, it’s safe to say the Pantelligent is cooking up a storm on Kickstarter! With the holidays quickly approaching, head on over to its official page here to learn more. If all goes to plan, the next-gen cooking tool is expected to ship out to backers in August 2015.

From smart appliances to quantified cooking, the Internet of Things will soon revolutionize everything from what we cook to how we consume. Get ready, we’re entering an era of SMARTER eating!