Cisco and Rockwell Partner to Drive Industrial IoT in APAC

Cisco and Rockwell Automation have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on boosting digital transformation in the industrial market across the Asia Pacific, Japan, and Greater China region.

Through this partnership, the two companies aim to provide technologies and services that enable manufacturers to optimize operations, enhance productivity, and ensure the security of their industrial networks.

 

(L-R)：Nicole Denil, vice president, Global Market Access, Rockwell Automation • Ruchika Jain, director, marketing and strategy - Asia Pacific, Rockwell Automation • Shovan Sengupta, regional vice president, market Access - Asia Pacific, Rockwell Automation • Scott Wooldridge, regional president - Asia Pacific, Rockwell Automation • Kartika Prihadi, Vice President, Partner Sales & Routes to Market, Asia Pacific, Japan & Greater China (APJC), Cisco • Simon Young, General Manager, Strategic Industry Partners, Asia Pacific, Japan & Greater China (APJC), Cisco • Yadi Karyadi, Country Solution Architect, Indonesia, Cisco

The collaboration will facilitate the implementation of advanced automation solutions, including connected factories and industrial IoT. Additionally, Cisco and Rockwell Automation will work together to address the digital skills gap in the manufacturing sector by leveraging Cisco's Networking Academy program and Rockwell Automation's university partnerships in the region.

Addressing the digital skills gap in the manufacturing sector

Cisco and Rockwell Automation will also work towards training and building a wider talent pool to address the digital skills gap in the manufacturing sector. This will be done by leveraging Cisco’s Networking Academy program and Rockwell Automation's partnerships with universities across the region.

Cisco Networking Academy is one of the longest-standing IT skills-to-jobs programs in the world. Cisco Networking Academy provides high-quality IT and cybersecurity courses, learning simulators, and hands-on learning opportunities via a learning platform to support instructors and engage learners in 190 countries. To date, over 20 million global learners have taken Cisco Networking Academy courses to gain digital skills. Additionally, 95% of students that have taken Cisco certification aligned courses have attributed obtaining a job or education opportunity to Cisco Networking Academy.

LTIMindtree and Vodafone Collab To Offer Connected and Smart IoT Solutions

LTIMindtree, a global technology consulting and digital solutions company, has announced a collaboration with Vodafone, a leader in managed Internet of Things (IoT) with over 175 million connections worldwide.

This partnership aims to deliver connected and smart IoT solutions that will enable Industry X.0 and digital transformation across multiple sectors.

The collaboration will leverage LTIMindtree's Insight NXT platform (iNXT) and Vodafone’s IoT Managed Connectivity to offer advanced capabilities in AI, machine learning, predictive maintenance, digital twin, supply chain visibility, sustainability, energy management, worker safety, sensorization of assets, augmented reality, and virtual reality training.

Gemma Barsby, UK Head of IoT at Vodafone, expressed enthusiasm about supporting the real-time delivery of IoT managed services to clients, which will drive cost efficiencies and greater productivity. Monish Mishra, Chief Business Officer- iNXT at LTIMindtree, highlighted the importance of continuous innovation and connected ecosystems for growth and differentiation.

This strategic partnership is set to design highly scalable, end-to-end solutions by harnessing IoT, Metaverse, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning, delivering secure, connected ecosystems and outcomes over Vodafone’s Managed IoT Connectivity Network.

About Industry X.0, it is the leap into the future of manufacturing, where technology not only supports operations but actively enhances and transforms them. It's a significant shift from simply automating processes to using data and analytics to drive intelligent action.

Qualcomm Unveils Breakthrough in Wi-Fi Tech and New AI-Ready IoT and Industrial Platforms

At the Embedded World 2024 exhibition and conference in Nuremberg, Qualcomm made significant announcements related to IoT and Wi-Fi Technology.

The company unveils the Qualcomm® QCC730, a disruptive micro-power Wi-Fi system for IoT connectivity. This technological breakthrough provides up to 88% lower power than previous generations and can revolutionize products in battery powered industrial, commercial and consumer applications.

Qualcomm also introduced the new Qualcomm RB3 Gen 2 Platform — a comprehensive hardware and software solution designed for IoT and embedded applications. Utilizing the Qualcomm® QCS6490 processor, the RB3 Gen 2 offers a combination of high-performance processing, 10x increase in on-device AI processing, support for quadruple 8MP+ camera sensors, computer vision, and integrated Wi-Fi 6E.

The two technologies unveiled are —

1. Breakthrough Wi-Fi Technology

The Qualcomm QCC730 is a groundbreaking micro-power Wi-Fi system tailored for IoT connectivity. Here are its key features:

Unprecedented Low Power Consumption for Extended Battery Life

• The QCC730 delivers up to 88% lower power consumption compared to previous generations, potentially revolutionizing battery-powered industrial, commercial, and consumer applications. 
• Its selectable power modes and innovative power management maximize savings for extremely long battery life.

Flexibility to Operate in Hostless or Hosted Mode

• Developers can choose between hostless or hosted mode, providing extreme flexibility for different use cases.
• It supports internal or external power amplifiers and has integrated, non-volatile memory (RRAM) for ease of design.

Versatile System Integration for Ease of Design

• QCC730 fully integrates the on-chip microcontroller, non-volatile memory (NVM), and SRAM, making it versatile and easy to design with.
• Developers can replace or integrate it with traditionally Bluetooth-only applications.

Complete Cloud Connectivity Stack with Open-Source Software SDK:

QCC730 comes with an open-source software SDK available on CodeLinaro, allowing cloud connectivity offloading.

It empowers developers with an alternative to traditionally Bluetooth-only applications and enables direct cloud connectivity.

In summary, the Qualcomm QCC730 offers ultra-low micro-power Wi-Fi, scalability, and versatility for IoT applications, making it a powerful choice for connected devices.

2. AI Ready IoT & Industrial Platform

The Qualcomm RB3 Gen 2 Platform is designed to empower developers in creating a broad range of IoT products across various segments, including consumer, enterprise, industrial robotics, and automation.

High-Performance Processing

• The RB3 Gen 2 Platform is powered by the Qualcomm QCS6490 processor, offering advanced performance capabilities.
• It combines powerful AI processing, computer vision, and blazing-fast wireless connectivity.

On-Device AI Capabilities

• Developers can leverage the platform's AI acceleration for tasks such as image and video capture, enhancing overall functionality.
• This opens up possibilities for applications in workplace security, automation, and more.

Support for Multiple Camera Sensors

• The platform supports multiple 8MP+ camera sensors, enabling robust computer vision capabilities.
• This feature is essential for applications in robotics, industrial automation, and other visual tasks.

Integrated Wi-Fi 6E

• With built-in Wi-Fi 6E, the RB3 Gen 2 Platform ensures high-speed wireless connectivity.
• This connectivity is crucial for seamless communication in IoT devices.

Bluetooth 5.2 and LE Audio

• Enhanced Bluetooth 5.2 support allows for wireless accessories and efficient communication.
• LE Audio ensures improved audio quality for connected devices.

Expandability and Versatility

• The platform offers expandability through interfaces such as GPIOs, I2C, SPI, UART, PCIe, USB, MIPI CSI/DSI, and SDIO.
• Developers can easily integrate additional components and customize their solutions.

In summary, the Qualcomm RB3 Gen 2 Platform provides a powerful foundation for creating innovative IoT products, combining performance, AI capabilities, and connectivity. 

Wipro Acquires Pune-based IIOT Startup Linecraft.AI

Wipro Group company – Wipro Infrastructure Engineering (WIN), has announced the signing of the agreement for the acquisition of Pune-based startup Linecraft.AI, an AI-enabled Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) product startup of the manufacturing sector.

Deal value of the acquisition has not been disclosed. Prateek Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of Wipro Infrastructure Engineering, said that this acquisition will help us expand our digital capabilities.

In a Linkedin post, Wipro said, "We are happy to share that Wipro Infrastructure Engineering (WIN), Automation Business, Wipro PARI has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Linecraft Al, an Al-Enabled Industry 4.0 company."

Interestingly, Wipro PARI was also a startup founded by one of the Co-founders of Linecraft.AI, and was acquired by Wipro last year (discussed later in this article).

Wipro Infrastructure Engineering (WIN), a business of Wipro Enterprises (P) Limited, set up its automation business in 2018 as a solutions provider for Industrial Automation.

"This acquisition is in line with our vision at Wipro Infrastructure Engineering to bring in the latest cutting-edge technologies to our customers in their journey from Industry 3.0 to Industry 4.0."

"This will further help us expand our digital capabilities and offer turnkey automation solutions with a bolt-on digital layer that provides deep insights and analytics, optimizing productivity using Al, and ML, thereby significantly enhancing our customer value Proposition," said the company's LinkedIn post.

Linecraft AI's software product suite provides artificial intelligence-enabled Industrial IoT solutions.

Wipro said in a media statement that the Linecraft.AI has the expertise of the automation sector, the strength of Artificial Intelligence ( AI) and Machine Learning ( ML), From which manufacturers can get more production and have better quality operations in real time.

Linecraft.Al is a seed funded Industrial loT product startup started by serial entrepreneurs — Ranjit Date, Mangesh Kale and Saya Date— in the manufacturing sector with 30+ years of experience in the domain. The startup's unique technology collects and analyzes large amounts of data from industrial machines and recommends ways to optimize efficiency using artificial intelligence and domain expertise.

Ranjit Date earlier founded robotics startup called Precision Automation & Robotics India Private Limited (PARI), which was acquired in 2021 by Wipro Infrastructure Engineering (WIN), a business of Wipro Enterprises (P) Limited. Post acquisition the startup become Wipro PARI.

Wipro PARI is now amongst the largest global automation companies with a strength of 1200+ employees and 3 facilities worldwide, with its headquarters in Pune, India.

Saya Date is an ex-Googler and a graduate from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The mission of Linecraft.AI is to help manufacturers squeeze out more productivity from their production lines. It identify opportunities, which are hidden from the human eye, using its one of a kind algorithm.

Akamai-backed Shield-IoT Raises $7.4 Mn in Series A to Streamline and Secure Mass Scale IoT Networks

Udi Solomon, CEO and Co-Founder (Left) and Ohad Levin, Co-Founder and CTO (Right)

Shield-IoT streamlines the implementation of mass-scale IoT and 5G networks with the world’s first Coreset-AI security platform. “Shield-IoT’s innovative approach to anomaly detection provides accurate analytics at mass-scale,” says Ramanath Mallikarjuna, Chief Strategist at Akamai Technologies.

Shield-IoT, a leader in mass-scale IoT and IIoT network cyber security and operational monitoring, announced today the closing of a $7.4 million Series A round of funding. The Series A round was led by NextLeap Ventures and Bloc Ventures, with the participation of Atlas Ventures, Akamai Technologies, Springtide Ventures, DIVEdigital, and Janvest Capital Partners.

Founded in 2017, Shield-IoT addresses the escalating proliferation of IoT cyber threats to devices, data, critical services, and infrastructure. With Shield-IoT, service providers and IoT brands can monitor and secure their mass-scale B2B IoT and IIoT networks, reduce operational costs, and generate new revenue streams with value-added services.

“Shield-IoT’s innovative approach to anomaly detection enables Akamai to provide accurate analytics at mass-scale,” says Ramanath Mallikarjuna, Chief Strategist at Akamai Technologies. “Akamai is collaborating with Shield-IoT on innovative solutions to enhance cybersecurity and operational monitoring for customers of Akamai’s IoT solutions."

Currently, in use across multiple verticals including telcos, utilities, transportation, manufacturing, smart cities, and government, Shield-IoT offers a simple-to-deploy and easy-to-operate cloud-based software solution to protect any IoT device or application with no changes to end-customer networks.

Based on over 15 years of academic research and 50 academic papers, Shield-IoT coreset-AI patented technology revolutionizes IoT mass-volume data analysis through a unique transformation of “big data” into small datasets. “Coresets compress the data from n to log(n), or from 1 million to 20 data points, enabling context-free highly accurate anomaly detection in minutes instead of hours or days,” says Professor Dan Feldman, Chief Scientist at Shield-IoT.

“Shield-IoT removes the big data barriers and opens the door to a $50 billion IoT connectivity services market (2025)”, says Udi Solomon, CEO, and Co-Founder of Shield-IoT. “Our innovative technology is helping global IoT players to move forward and accelerate IoT growth”.