iot
Powered by :
Hong Kong: IoT-Powered Robotic Device for Stroke Rehabilitation
Taiwan’s IoT Security Initiative for a Connected World
The Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Information Technology is promoting the implementation of the Internet of Things (IoT) technology as a smart solution for Indonesia. The real-world application of IoT in daily life opens possibilities for a more convenient world. IoT gives individuals greater control over their lives and the things around them, providing enhanced convenience.
For instance, when a smartwatch is connected to a smartphone, the smartwatch records the user’s activities. The recorded data is then wirelessly transmitted to the smartphone. The user can easily track the number of steps taken and the distance covered. This data can serve as a reference to determine whether the user has engaged in enough physical activity or needs to do more, ultimately improving the quality of life for smart watch and smartphone users.
In conclusion, IoT aims to seamlessly connect devices with devices, devices with users, and users with users. In light of this, the Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has collaborated with the IoT association in Indonesia to organise the Indonesia Smart Solutions Summit (ISSS) 2023, challenging innovators to create new IoT-based innovations in Indonesia.
Over the past five years, the Directorate General of Resources and Equipment of Post and Information Technology (Dirjen SDPPI) under the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Kominfo) has actively collaborated with various stakeholders to develop and strengthen the IoT ecosystem in Indonesia. IoT is a technology that has positively impacted various sectors of life, including industry, transportation, agriculture, healthcare, and more.
According to the Indonesian Minister of Industry, the market share of IoT in Indonesia is expected to grow rapidly along with other advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR), advanced robotics, and 3D printing.
The IoT association’s chairman, Teguh Prasetya, predicted that the IoT market in Indonesia is projected to reach 40 billion US dollars or around 572.7 trillion Indonesian rupiahs by 2025, with 678 connected IoT devices.
Moreover, the report revealed that the country’s manufacturing sector alone is performing at 30 to 35%, and the government aims to increase the sector’s contribution to GDP from 20% to 25% by 2025. The success of IoT implementation is considered vital for Indonesia’s ambition to become a top 10 world economy by 2030.
The potential benefits of IoT include increased operational efficiency, improved health and safety, and increased productivity or sales. There is a possibility of 400 million IoT-connected sensor devices in Indonesia, highlighting the substantial opportunities for efficiency and effectiveness through IoT.
The ISSS, initiated by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology in collaboration with the IoT association in Indonesia, fosters optimism among Indonesian youth in creating technology-based products that can continue to develop and compete globally. Ensuring timely delivery to the market and successful use cases is emphasised to capitalise on the momentum of technology adoption in industry.
Through initiatives like the Indonesia ISSS and collaborations with IoT associations, the Indonesian government aims to boost the nation’s confidence in creating technology-driven products and pave the way for further growth and global competitiveness.
To support the Net Zero Emission (NZE) 2050 programme, a team of lecturers from Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) has developed an advanced ship emission monitoring device in the port area. This innovation addresses the significant impact of exhaust emissions from ships on air pollution, contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering a cleaner environment.
At the forefront of their ingenious approach lies the integration of Unmanned Aircraft (PUTA) technology and the Internet of Things (IoT) to create a comprehensive monitoring system capable of accurately measuring ship emissions. Using Unmanned Aircraft ensures that data collection can be conducted flexibly and efficiently, covering vast areas of the port region. Paired with the power of IoT, this novel device enables real-time tracking and analysis of ship exhaust emissions, facilitating prompt decision-making and targeted actions to combat pollution effectively.
The ITS team’s cutting-edge ship emission monitoring device actively supports the NZE 2050 initiative, fostering a cleaner, greener environment. Their commitment to innovation and collaboration reflects the urgency in mitigating air pollution’s impact and advancing climate change solutions for a sustainable future.
ITS and maritime and shipping company, along with aerotechnology company, are partners in supporting the innovations developed by the ITS lecturer team. The collaboration addresses the need for a monitoring system for ship exhaust emissions in Indonesia. It led to the conception of a ship emission monitoring device based on PUTA and the IoT.
Muhammad Riduwan, a lecturer at the Department of Marine Transportation Engineering ITS, familiarly known as the man behind the idea, emphasised that combining PUTA and IoT offers an effective and efficient solution to this problem. He elaborated on the intended effectiveness and efficiency, stating that PUTA can be remotely controlled through a smartphone or computer, eliminating the need for complex hardware systems.
“Only a software system is required to monitor ship emissions in the port area. Real-time data on ship emissions can be obtained through a controlling website, providing valuable insights into the environmental impact,” he explained.
Additional clarification is provided regarding the direct and indirect benefits and impact of ITS and its related partners’ innovations.
The system operates by deploying PUTA within the port area and installing four sensors to detect SOx, NOx, COx, and PM emissions from ships. The gas monitoring conducted by PUTA provides real-time data accessible through the ITS lecturer team’s developed website. This website displays the emission levels of ships and monitors whether they adhere to IMO regulations, ensuring compliance and environmental standards.
Furthermore, the ITS lecturer team’s innovation is a collaborative effort between the Department of Marine Transportation Engineering and the Software Engineering Study Programme (RPL Study Programme) from the Department of Informatics at ITS.
Alongside Riduwan, other ITS lecturers involved in this project include Ir Tri Achmadi, PhD, Maulana Yafie Danendra ST MLog, and Siska Arifiani SKom MKom. Ten students from the respective departments have also been actively engaged in the development process to enhance the project’s scope and potential impact.
Collaborating closely with private sector companies, the team is dedicated to advancing this innovative project, which is currently in the developmental phase. The initial testing of this technology is planned to take place at one of the ports in the Bangkalan area, Madura.
Riduwan believe, the innovations initiated by ITS have the potential to bring about positive effects in multiple ways. These benefits can enhance various aspects, such as environmental monitoring and technological advancements. Simultaneously, they can indirectly contribute to broader initiatives, such as the NZE 2050 programme, by mitigating air pollution and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through digital technology.
An SG$ 24 million (US$ 17.8 million) Corporate Lab for Advanced Robotics has been established through a collaborative effort between the Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) and a leading private global provider of IoT-based smart green solutions. The joint lab was launched in a ceremony attended by the Minister of State for the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Alvin Tan.
The lab is supported by Singapore’s National Research Foundation’s Research Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) 2025 plan. Over the next three years, the lab will concentrate on developing next-generation technologies to address the challenges posed by labour shortages in the manufacturing and intralogistics industries. Intralogistics refers to the internal flow of goods and materials that take place on a company’s site.
According to a press release by NTU Singapore, as businesses transition into Industry 5.0, collaborative robotic systems will become an essential component. This shift is driven by the need to address the challenges posed by an ageing workforce and declining birth rates, which have led to a shortage of manpower globally. The adoption of collaborative robotic systems offers a solution to this manpower crunch by facilitating human-robot collaboration and enhancing productivity across industries.
These systems encompass a variety of innovative technologies including human-touch-inspired robots capable of adjusting their grip to pick up a range of materials, from fragile glassware to volatile chemicals. Meanwhile, smart sensing, radar, and 3D sensor systems allow autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) to navigate and operate in a dynamic environment with human traffic like hospitals and warehouses.
The lab creates opportunities to transform the university’s research efforts into meaningful and practical innovations that can make a real difference in the world, an official from NTU Singapore noted. It aligns with NTU’s strategic vision for 2025, which focuses on leveraging the potential of digital and advanced technologies to drive the exploration of new knowledge and enhance learning and living experiences.
An official from the National Robotics Programme (NRP) said that NRP welcomes the partnership and looks forward to the build-up and commercialisation of more differentiated robotics capabilities for the manufacturing and logistics domains in the country and beyond.
NTU is a leading institution in the field of robotics research. Last year, NTU researchers developed a tough and stretchable material for self-repairing soft robots, inspired by elephant and crocodile skins. Soft robots have great potential to be used in applications requiring a gentle touch, like assistive surgery or medical rehabilitation. However, their softness makes them vulnerable to damage.
NTU’s tough and self-healing material called 2-ureido-4-pyrimidinone-based-carboxylated polyurethane (UPy-CPU) could revolutionise the field of soft robotics. Self-healing, soft and tough robots could aid in rescue missions to navigate harsh and inaccessible environments, such as collapsed buildings, for locating trapped individuals.
The material was developed by making modifications to the chemical structure of polyurethane, a versatile and flexible material widely used in medical devices and construction materials. To repair cracks in the material, the researchers used solvents like chloroform, acetone, and isopropyl alcohol. When applied to the damaged areas, the material healed on its own within 12 hours at room temperature. The exceptional toughness of UPy-CPU was demonstrated when a crawling robot made from this material continued to function even after being crushed by a load that was 4,000 times its weight.
As individuals approach old age, their bodies undergo various changes, particularly in terms of health, which becomes increasingly apparent. These changes, coupled with factors such as reduced appetite, difficulty in eating, malabsorption, alterations in body systems, and socioeconomic factors, contribute to a higher risk of malnutrition among the elderly.
When discussing malnutrition, the common association is often images of starving people in distant lands. However, this critical issue is ubiquitous and is prevalent within all communities, across the globe. One population, particularly at risk, is the elderly, who frequently require hospitalisation or reside in long-term care facilities, amplifying their vulnerability to malnutrition. In light of this, researchers at Chiang Mai University (CMU) have developed ‘FoodPrompt’ technology – a powerful tool to address nutritional needs.
FoodPromt stands out as a smart solution for personalised nutrition support and food fabrication. With its ability to create customised food using a 3D food printer and an intuitive application that empowers users to select flavours and shapes, this groundbreaking technology is particularly well-suited for individuals with malnutrition, most notably elderly patients who are already vulnerable.
Research indicates that the incidence of malnutrition among hospitalised elderly individuals ranges from 12% to 50%, while among institutionalised older adults, it can range from 23% to 60%, highlighting the heightened susceptibility of the elderly to malnutrition.
Recognising the significance of malnutrition among the elderly, the researchers at CMU identified that this condition is often neglected and not promptly addressed, leading to severe consequences, underscoring the importance of providing adequate support, particularly in terms of nutrition, for the elderly population.
FoodPrompt was developed by a team to seamlessly incorporate advancements from multiple fields. Its primary goal is to address the needs of individuals afflicted by malnutrition, with a particular emphasis on providing tailored support to vulnerable elderly patients.
Through the utilisation of advanced data analytics, machine learning algorithms, and state-of-the-art fabrication techniques, FoodPrompt endeavours to tailor nutrition plans and meal compositions to the specific requirements and preferences of everyone. By doing so, it aspires to foster optimal nutritional outcomes and enhance the overall well-being of elderly patients afflicted by malnutrition.
This new personalised technology is effective, as it has a nutritional assessment system that creates customised food using IoT. When accessing this platform, users are required to provide their data, which will be linked to the developed food fabrication system, specifically designed to create highly nutritious meals tailored to the needs of the target group.
Every user can use this technology and select the food of their choice. For instance, consumption analysis has an integrated system capable of identifying the types of food, the number of ingredients and consumption. Afterwards, it enables the user to compare the crucial nutrients based on the user’s database.
Additionally, the application allows users to select the flavours and shapes using a 3D food printer. Ultimately, patients can get enough nutrients while enjoying their high-nutrient favourite food with various flavours based on what they like.
This holistic approach facilitated by FoodPrompt will enable a comprehensive response to the intricate challenges posed by malnutrition, effectively catering to the specific requirements of the target group, elderly people. By seamlessly harnessing cutting-edge research with practical implementation, FoodPrompt proves CMU’s commitment to leveraging innovative technology to solve daily problems.
Two technology firms, functioning within Hong Kong’s Smart Government Innovation Lab, have unveiled their available solutions that are now open for acquisition by companies and institutions.
Solution I – Digital Site Management Enterprise Platform
Solution description
The platform allows users to effectively manage multiple projects within a single, centralised platform while maintaining a unified data repository. It has been specifically tailored to cater to the needs of multiple parties and supports a multi-level contracting mechanism.
The integrated system, called DasIoT, seamlessly incorporates various IoT devices commonly used in construction sites. It provides users with RESTful APIs for effortless integration with multiple data sources. Moreover, the platform offers the flexibility of choosing between a managed AWS cloud platform or on-premises deployment, ensuring optimal deployment options based on individual preferences and requirements.
Application Areas
The solution was designed to be applied across the areas of Development, Infrastructure as well as on a construction site.
Technologies Used
The solution employs the latest in Cloud Computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), Mobile Technologies as well as Video Analytics.
Use case
The company offers an extensive selection of smart hardware devices that seamlessly integrate with the platform. These devices include smart helmets, collision warning systems, AI cams, CCTV cameras, smart air detectors, and various others.
By incorporating these devices into the platform, users can harness their advanced features and capabilities to facilitate efficient project management and bolster safety measures. The integration of these smart hardware devices enhances the overall functionality of the platform, providing users with valuable insights and enabling them to make informed decisions.
Solution II – AI-Powered Optimisation Software Platform Based on Digital Twins
Solution description
Digital twins have the potential to replicate the intricate nature of the real world, where each element is interconnected. However, merely simulating this complexity falls short in delivering tangible advantages for public services.
The proposed solution revolves around an AI-powered optimisation platform designed to identify the best parameters within complex systems. By using this platform, automated recommendations can be generated, thereby improving decision-making abilities.
The platform allows for optimisation processes to be conducted within the simulation domain, enabling tasks such as cost reduction in pumping while ensuring network pressure, as well as optimising HVAC systems to enhance building energy usage.
Application Areas
The solution was developed to be applied across the areas of City Management, Climate and Weather as well as Infrastructure.
Technologies Used
The solution employs the latest in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Analytics, Deep Learning, Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine Learning.
Use case
The proposed solution uses an AI-powered platform to enhance services like network optimisation and energy optimisation. By analysing historical data, predictive models are built as performance baselines. The optimisation platform then conducts searches to identify the optimal parameters, such as setpoints and sequencing, to improve system performance.
This approach ensures a reduction in pumping costs while maintaining network pressure, and it also leads to decreased energy consumption in HVAC systems. Decision-makers can leverage the data-driven insights provided by the platform to implement effective changes, resulting in significant cost savings.
In summary, the AI-powered optimisation platform enables improvements in network and energy optimisation. By using historical data and predictive models, it identifies the best parameters for optimising system performance. This approach leads to cost reductions in pumping and energy consumption, providing tangible benefits for decision-makers in public services.
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and the Society for Electronic Transactions and Security (SETS), which is a part of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, plan to work together on research and development in the field of deep technology.
According to a press release, under a memorandum of understanding (MoU), the two sides will conduct collaborative research in areas like cybersecurity, Internet of Things (IoT) security, mobile device security, financial network slice security, and hardware security, among others.
The initiative aligns with the Make in India campaign, with the goal of enhancing self-sufficiency in information technology and cybersecurity, while also reducing the country’s dependence on exports. As part of this effort, experts and officials from both groups will join forces on research projects centred around artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology for cybersecurity. They will also focus on developing innovations in quantum security and cryptography, including quantum random number generators, crypto API libraries, and quantum-safe cryptography.
Accordingly, officers from SETS and UIDAI will propose and implement joint research projects and create tools and products that can be utilised not only within the UIDAI ecosystem but also in other critical IT infrastructures.
Emerging technologies like AI and big data are at the core of the Digital India initiative, serving as tools for good governance and forming the foundation of India’s expansive digital public infrastructure. UIDAI is a statutory authority established under the provisions of the Aadhaar Act 2016. Aadhaar cards are 12-digit unique identification numbers linked to a citizen’s basic demographic and biometric information. The adoption of Aadhaar-based authentication transactions has been witnessing an upward trend as it has proved to be a facilitator in availing several welfare benefits and services, the government has said.
UIDAI has already issued over 1.36 billion Aadhaar numbers to residents, with more than 70 million Aadhaar-based authentication transactions taking place every day. Additionally, nearly 1,700 schemes of the central and state governments for welfare and good governance utilise Aadhaar.
As OpenGov Asia reported earlier, an in-house developed security mechanism for Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication has been launched. It utilises a combination of finger minutia and finger image, which is powered by AI/ML. The technology enhances the liveness check of captured fingerprints, thereby making Aadhaar authentication transactions more secure and robust.
The new two-factor/layer authentication incorporates add-on checks to validate the genuineness (liveness) of the fingerprint to reduce fraud attempts. The initiative will be beneficial for the banking and financial sectors and telecom players and government agencies. The implementation of the new security mechanism will also aid individuals at the bottom of the pyramid by strengthening the Aadhaar-enabled payment system and preventing fraudulent attempts made by unscrupulous elements.
After several months of discussions and support provided by the UIDAI to its partners and user agencies, the new security mechanism for Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication is now fully functional. The implementation of the new security mechanism has resulted in the replacement of the less secure single-factor authentication methods, which relied solely on either finger image or finger minutiae. The new system now uses a more robust two-factor authentication process, which is a positive outcome for all stakeholders involved.
Indigenously-developed IoT sensor solutions will help to position India as a global hub for sensors and devices. The Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Alkesh Kumar Sharma launched three Internet of Things (IoT) sensor-based products. He unveiled a smart digital thermometer, an IoT-enabled environmental monitoring system, and a multichannel data acquisition system. The products were developed by the Centre for Materials for Electronic Technology’s (C-MET) Centre of Excellence in Intelligent IoT Sensors.
Sharma also oversaw the technology transfer of the multichannel data acquisition system to a private company. Speaking on the occasion, he highlighted the importance of research and development that focuses on the requirements of society and the government’s targets to boost electronic manufacturing in the country. Sensors are one of the most widely used components in the industry and C-MET’s efforts through translational research on IoT sensors for developing commercially ready components and devices are in line with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) mission.
With the advent of smart cities and intelligent systems, sensors that can detect, feel, respond, and send data across the world through IoT networks have revolutionised the electronics market. IoT-enabled sensors, which can be monitored and controlled remotely through the Internet, are at the heart of smart devices and systems.
Established in 1990, C-MET is a research and development institute under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. It is a premier institute engaged in the development of electronic materials, components, and devices. C-MET has developed many indigenous technologies and transferred them to industry players for commercialisation. C-MET’s research and development activities are carried out in three laboratories at Pune, Hyderabad, and Thrissur. The laboratory at Pune functions as headquarters and extends central coordination support. Each of these laboratories has its own areas of specialisation with the requisite infrastructure and expertise.
Last year, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with one of India’s largest telecom operators to help simplify the deployment of IoT solutions and foster interoperability among devices and applications as per oneM2M (machine to machine) architecture.
IoT adoption has become critical in any organisation’s digital transformation journey. However, in the current deployments, certain operational challenges prevent businesses from tapping into the technology’s true potential. Some issues include device network compatibility, over-the-air firmware upgrades, remote device configuration, security vulnerabilities, and implementation in siloes with proprietary protocols.
To address these challenges, C-DOT and the telecom operator agreed to evaluate applications and devices from various solution providers against oneM2M specifications and offer joint certificates. As OpenGov Asia reported, the partnership was an opportunity to see the oneM2M specifications in action in a diverse set of sectors and applications, from smart energy to connected cars. C-DOT’s indigenously-developed oneM2M-based Common Services Platform (CCSP) offers several benefits to the IoT industry.
The collaboration presented opportunities for device and application providers to deploy their solutions in telecom operators’ networks. The platform enabled application providers to use a robust middleware framework with all necessary underlying common services to deploy a secure oneM2M-compliant solution.
Globally, the IoT Sensors Market is projected to reach US$29.6 billion by 2026 from US$11.1 Billion in 2022 at a CAGR of 28.6%. The growth rate was 33.78% from 2021 to 2022. Pressure sensors are expected to grow the most, with a CAGR of 33.73%.
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the United States (U.S.) have developed biosensors to detect the presence of or predisposition to various illnesses, including cancer. A novel biosensor chip with an accurate and low-cost architecture may enhance access to high-quality examinations.
The capacity to detect these signs, called biomarkers, enables medical practitioners to make vital early diagnoses and give individualised therapies. Because traditional screening procedures might be time-consuming, costly, or limited in what they can reveal, they also combined the biosensors with extremely low-power FET Internet of Things (IoT) devices to boost the sensors’ responsiveness. The FET was created at CEA-LETI to amplify signals in smartwatches, personal assistants, and other gadgets.
“This is a scalable technique. In principle, we can integrate hundreds, if not thousands, of sensors in an area of one square millimetre into a console the size of a smartphone, which is far less burdensome than some of the latest equipment used in the clinic,” said NIST researcher Arvind Balijepalli, a co-author of the new study developed by researchers at NIST Brown University and the French government-funded research institute CEA-Leti.
The researchers reported the results of a study that proves the device’s excellent sensitivity and precision despite its modularity, which is commonly associated with decreased performance, in a paper recently uploaded online from the 2018 IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting.
DNA sensor
The biosensor recognises biomarkers by detecting how DNA threads bond to the device. Its modular architecture distinguishes it from related sensors, lowering costs by making mass production more accessible and allowing the most expensive parts to be reused.
Like other DNA biosensors, the device makes use of the fact that a single DNA strand is ready for chemical bonding when it is not coupled with another within the recognisable double helix. Instead, a portion of the device has single strands of DNA coated on it. When these “probes” come into contact with DNA biomarkers with a matched or complementary genetic sequence, the two strands join, sending a signal that the gadget detects.
When a strand of target DNA binds to a probe, it causes a voltage shift that may be measured using a semiconductor device called a field-effect transistor (FET). As the molecules pop on and off the sensor, these voltage shifts can occur hundreds of times per second. This method tells you whether a DNA strand is attached to a probe and how long it takes to connect and disengage.
Improving signal detection
FET-based methods have yet to hit the mainstream, however. A significant stumbling block is their single-use nature, which has now seemed necessary but has increased its cost. The signal gets harder to measure because of the electrical signal’s noise when they must travel longer within electronics.
DNA probes in FET-based sensors usually are attached to the transistor directly, which converts the signal into readable data and limits noise. But the probes and whole device signal are weaker after exposure to a sample. Then they utilise the Internet of Things (IoT) FET to accommodate the losses. The NIST authors paired their circuitry with a specific type of low-power FET developed at CEA-LETI that is used in smartwatches, personal assistants, and other devices to amplify signals and compensate for the lost sensitivity.
The researchers found that the binding kinetics were sensitive enough to make accurate measurements even at low concentrations. Overall, the modular design performed similarly to integrated, nonmodular FET-based biosensors. The modular design performed similarly to integrated, nonmodular FET-based biosensors. The next step in their research is determining if their sensor can perform similarly with varying DNA sequences caused by mutations. Because many diseases are caused or exacerbated by altered DNA, this skill is critical for clinical diagnosis.
