[PODCAST] Helping IoT Devices Provide Creative Solutions to Real-World Problems

We’re watching the need for IoT devices change right in front of our eyes as new use cases for this technology come up due to COVID, and it’s more important now more than ever to allow IoT applications to become easier to build and deploy. Plus it must also be available in areas where cellular networks aren’t as prevalent.

In this episode of Innovation Calling, we had the opportunity to sit down with Alistair Fulton, VP and GM, Wireless & Sensing Products of Semtech. Semtech’s LoRa Technology helps IoT devices by connecting the sensors to the cloud and allowing the opportunity for real-time communication fo data and analytics. These statics can be utilized to enhance efficiency and productivity.

In this discussion, we talked about the basics of IoT, and how Semtech’s LoRa Technology fits within the IoT ecosystem. We also talked about what makes Semtech unique, and how their ability to connect within rural markets is a game-changer. In addition, we covered lots of various use cases and examples of IoT solutions, in addition to what will be on the horizon in the post-COVID world.

Here is the official episode breakdown:

6:49 - We’re starting it basic and defining IoT, in addition to why it’s become such a complicated definition.

8:57 - How does a semiconductor business become such a big player in the IoT community, and why it was so important to make IoT applications and technology easier to use?

13:00 - Why location is one of the most crucial components of IoT.

16:44 - What is it that really makes Semtech unique? Is it just about connecting gadgets or allowing the software on top easier to build?

18:00 - When it comes to the rural market, how does Lora help create a game-changing service for IoT products, and does the introduction of 5G change any of the advantages that they have?

25:21 - How does the cost factor in a product like Lora, is it a cheaper solution because of a lower user of bandwidth? Then we discuss the three types of cost with IoT, the physical cost, the power cost, and the cost of operation.

27:55 - With IoT being such a huge component in Smart Cities, has the need for IoT, and the use cases for IoT changed at all because people are now staying at home more with quarantine?

30:30 - The interesting use cases of IoT in a post COVID rule and how standard procedures used to be okay, will no longer be acceptable when trying to navigate this new world.

34:31- Another great use of body temperature sensors, being able to monitor temperatures and statuses in real-time.

38:07 - What fine lines are we crossing, and where does the liability lie if we begin to monitor the health of people who enter buildings, etc? And why solutions that anonymize data will be crucial.

45:21 - Do Telco companies look at this service as a competitor or an ally?

You can learn more about Semtech by visiting Semtech.com.

ABOUT ALISTAIR FULTON:

Alistair Fulton is the Vice President and General Manager of Semtech's Wireless and Sensing Products Group. He joined Semtech in 2018 with over 25 years of experience in the Internet of Things (IoT), connected devices, machine to machine (M2M)/embedded, and analytics spaces. Before joining Semtech, Mr. Fulton led the development of Hitachi's Lumada Industrial IoT Platform, the leading “visionary” IIoT platform in Gartner's 2018 magic quadrant. Prior to Hitachi, he led Microsoft's IoT initiative, including the development and incubation of Microsoft's v1.0 IoT platform (the precursor to the v3.0 Azure IoT platform). Mr. Fulton earned a B.A. in Economics and Law from the University of Liverpool.