Whirlpool, Panasonic, Noki and Bragi all have something in common, all of these companies are using IBM’s Watson IoT (Internet of Things) platform. The Watson IoT platform is “transforming our relationship with the physical world and making appliances, machines, devices, homes and cars better, safer, more intuitive and interactive.”
Watson uses machine language and other techniques to assess data from the Internet of Things and turn that data into “insight, which can help automate tasks, enable manufacturers to design better products, innovate new services and enhance our overall quality of life – especially in the home.”
Whirlpool for example, is using Watson techniques to increase time and energy efficiency in washing machines and dryers and other appliances. In addition, Whirlpool is
“using sensors and cognitive intelligence, appliances will learn about how people use them giving design feedback to Whirlpool’s engineers and offering new levels of assistance to consumers for re-ordering detergents, filters and other supplies directly from online retailers.”
Panasonic has introduced for home security and safety, security cameras and sensors to “detect movement, glass breakage, door and window opening, will be coupled with Watson’s cognitive computing capabilities.” False alarms are more easily detected vs real threats.
Nokia in the area of health care, is using Watson machine understanding to help care givers use Nokia wearables and smart devices for assisting the elderly and sick individuals. Issues such as “deviation from daily routines, abnormal vital signs and sudden changes in the home environment.
Voice activated interfaces in the home will be able to take simple commands (such as ‘call an ambulance’) and offer reminders to take medicines or turn off appliances.” This allows individuals to live in their own homes much longer in comparison to not having the Internet of Things technologies available.
Bragi, an early pioneer in the hearables market, is using audible computing in their hearables for sports, recreation and even the workplace. An especially useful workplace application that will use IBM’s Watson IoT platform, “is for users to use the (Bragi) headset to receive instructions, interact with co-workers and enable management teams to keep track of the location, operating environment, wellbeing and safety of workers.” Hearables in the future will greatly influence the way people work and affect business methodologies.
