IoT news of the week for May 1, 2020

Ayla Networks partners with Firedome for IoT security: Ayla Networks, which provides a platform for companies that want to build IoT devices, has teamed up with security provider Firedome to offer security on the device side and in the cloud for connected products. The move follows a trend in IoT security where devices have to have secure enclaves and security features built in, but also require some form of active behavior monitoring and updates from a cloud-based provider. Microsoft has pioneered this approach with its Azure Sphere platform, which links the cloud and the device, but companies that need a retrofit or aren’t already all-in on Azure might want to take a look at this option. (Ayla Networks) — Stacey Higginbotham

Your algorithms don’t do well with black swans: Businesses have embraced predictive algorithms to anticipate breakdowns, stock necessary inventory, and even staff stores, but the COVID-19 pandemic is showing just how far off the data can lead you during an unprecedented event. As companies are starting to realize, the fluctuations in demand during the pandemic are causing their algorithms to fail. This algorithm failure in combination with just-in-time inventory means those companies are running out of products, thereby missing out on crucial sales opportunities. Ramping up manufacturing or changing the operations of manufacturing plants (for example, to make ventilators) is also throwing off algorithms trained on one set of operations. So, if you’re running an automated prediction process, it’s probably time to bring in a few humans to check that data. (The Verge) — Stacey Higginbotham

Thank you, Simon Segars: That’s right, this is a heartfelt thank you to the CEO of ARM, who apparently has been living up to a pretty high standard for corporate leadership. Yes, this article is written by the chief marketing officer of ARM, which means that it’s expressly designed to make the company look good, but I can’t help but agree with the sentiment. Essentially, Segars has shared his own struggles with leading the company while also taking care of his kids and otherwise managing home life at the same time, something millions of people are struggling with right now. For this to come from the CEO of a large company is pretty big, but for it to come from a male CEO in a male-dominated industry is doubly significant. I’m hoping this triggers a shift in the kinds of expectations the tech world has around family, work, and figuring out how to do both well. (Quartz) — Stacey Higginbotham

More on the pandemic v. your privacy: I wrote a few weeks back about how we should treat Bluetooth and location data during the public health emergency that is the pandemic, and it becomes clear that a return to normal life is going to involve some form of surveillance to both implement contact tracing and ensure workplaces are safe, more needs to be said. Thankfully, this is an excellent article on the legal challenges that might arise as a result of pandemic-related data-gathering. (Law360) — Stacey Higginbotham

Particle’s tracking system is what companies want for asset tracking: We often reference Particle for its IoT hardware chips, but the company this week launched its Particle Tracking System, which brings wireless, chips, and software together. The system will arrive in June, when it can be used to track products at rest and in transit in a single, cohesive interface. Particle says it heard from companies seeking an out-of-the-box, connected geolocation asset tracker, so it decided to build one and see if there were any takers. I’m betting there are, and since Particle boards already support the IoT connectivity needed, this product will appeal to many. (Particle) — Kevin C. Tofel

Nanoleaf Shapes pre-orders about to start: Stacey and I always make sure to check out the Nanoleaf booth at the Consumer Electronics Show, and this year was no exception. We saw the new Nanoleaf Shapes, which are hexagonal smart lights for your home. As most products at the show don’t hit the market until later in the year, Nanoleaf is just now opening up pre-orders. Starting this week, you can sign up to be among the first in line for these lights, which are touch-sensitive, work with all the major voice assistants, and can display 16 million colors. (Nanoleaf) — Kevin C. Tofel

Aqara smart switches for HomeKit debut: Apple HomeKit users, rejoice! There’s another line of supported light switches for your smart home. Aqara introduced four different models this past week: a $40 single rocker with or without neutral wire, as well as a $45 double rocker that also comes with or without a neutral. But since the switches use the Zigbee protocol, there is a small downside. You’ll need a $60 Aqara hub to convert that Zigbee signal into one that HomeKit understands. Still, there aren’t many HomeKit switches on the market, so these might be worth a look. The fact that you can buy them for older homes without neutral wires is another bonus! (Aqara) — Kevin C. Tofel

A new Machine Vision AI Developer Kit just landed: Remember the old Intel Atom processors? It seems like Intel keeps finding new uses for them. The latest is a $199.99 Machine Vision AI Developer Kit that looks like a Raspberry Pi. You’ll have to add your own camera, but from a software standpoint, everything you might need for AI vision training models is included, from the OpenVINO engine to a model streaming service for AWS to an AI model manager. I was prepping a Pi for an upcoming machine vision project, but this might prove to be the better tool. (RFID Journal) — Kevin C. Tofel

WiTrack sensors granted FCC waiver for health monitoring: MIT has been working on person detection using body radio reflections for some time now and the tech, called WiTrack, is impressive. It can pinpoint where someone is in another room, for example. But the university has also found other uses for it, including monitoring a person’s vital statistics through minute differences in the radio reflections due to body movement. MIT says WiTrack can determine pulse and breathing rate with up to 99% accuracy. But is the tech safe? The FCC thinks so, as it recently granted MIT a waiver for unlicensed devices to permit the certification and marketing of its WiTrack system. Given that we need smart tech to support remote patient monitoring now more than ever, you go MIT! (FCC) — Kevin C. Tofel

Blink Mini vs Wyze Cam: Which should you buy? Amazon-owned Blink debuted its Blink Mini wired camera in early April, and I spent some time with a review unit over the last week. If you’re already in the Blink or Amazon ecosystem, it might be worth a look. But I was a little underwhelmed when I compared it to the Wyze Cam products, which are cheaper and support local video storage out of the box. You’ll need a $35 add-on for that same functionality with the Blink Mini. (StaceyOnIoT) — Kevin C. Tofel