Legacy meets innovation: How Safesquare saves 30-year-old building automation - We talk IoT #74
In this episode, we explore a hidden crisis affecting thousands of buildings worldwide with Martin Mentzel, CEO of the German company Safesquare.
For thirty years, Local Operating Network (LON) technology has quietly powered building automation systems in hospitals, office buildings, and transport infrastructure. Now, critical components face end-of-life as manufacturers discontinue essential neuron chips, leaving companies scrambling for solutions.
Some companies need 8,000 replacement controllers per year that simply don't exist. Hospital operating rooms, lift systems, and building HVAC networks all depend on technology becoming impossible to maintain.
Martin discusses how Safesquare's babi-LON platform replaces discontinued components without forcing expensive system redesigns. We examine why LON technology has endured for three decades, the scale of the component shortage crisis, and how innovative engineering preserves critical infrastructure investments.
Tune in to discover how one company transforms an industry crisis into an opportunity whilst keeping essential systems running.
#LON #buildingautomation #infrastructure #iot #wetalkiot
Summary of this week's episode:
01:38 Understanding Local Operating Networks (LON) in Building Automation
03:36 The Component Shortage: A Deep Dive
06:52 Safesquare's Solution
08:06 Challenges and Costs of System Redesign
14:16 Safesquare's Journey and Vision
23:18 Future of LON Technology in Building Automation
Show notes:
Safesquare: https://safesquare.eu/
Webinar: https://gateway.on24.com/wcc/eh/2397559/lp/5053037/babi-lon-for-building-automation-safesquare?partnerref=podcast
Listen to the "We Talk IoT" Soundtrack on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/05MOV4OV2MH2in2txsAGtG?si=ad08112cb8d443f4
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-NvQ6VJYtE&list=PLLqgVFfZhDRVYmpEqbgajzDvGL4kACRDp
About Avnet Silica:
This podcast is brought to you by Avnet Silica—the Engineers of Evolution.
Subscribe to our newsletters here: https://my.avnet.com/silica/resources/newsletter/
You can connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/silica-an-avnet-company/. Or find us at www.avnet-silica.com.
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Scaling IoT from Rhinos to Rockets: How LoRaWAN Powers 125 Million Connected Devices - We talk IoT #73
In this episode, we explore the remarkable growth of LoRaWAN with Alper Yegin, CEO of the LoRa Alliance. This non-profit consortium has spent a decade building the world's most successful long-range, low-power network standard outside China.
With 350 members, including Amazon, Comcast, Verizon, and Airbus, the Alliance has created technology that now connects 125 million devices globally - from temperature sensors in over half of North America's Starbucks stores to tracking collars on endangered black rhinos across 35 African national parks.
Alper discusses how LoRaWAN achieves ranges up to 600 kilometres whilst consuming as little power as a garage door opener, why major enterprises choose between public and private networks, and how satellite integration creates planet-wide IoT coverage. We explore real-world deployments that save lives and bottom lines, including 700,000 panic buttons across North American schools and hospitals and 5 million water meters across France.
Learn why this open-standard technology has outpaced competitors like NB-IoT and Sigfox, and how AI and edge computing are shaping the future of industrial IoT.
#lorawan #iot #lpwan #smartbuildings #satellite #wetalkiot #connectivity #iiot #sustainability
Summary of this week's episode:
01:34 The Journey and Achievements of LoRa Alliance
02:22 Why LoRaWAN is Ideal for Enterprise IoT
06:55 Comparing LoRaWAN with Other Technologies
15:05 Real-World Use Cases of LoRaWAN
19:43 Environmental Innovations
22:23 Challenges in IoT Integration
26:05 The Future of IoT with AI and Edge Computing
29:43 Public vs. Private Networks
33:30 Collaborative Ecosystem and Open Standards
Show notes:
Alper Yegin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alperyegin/
LoRa Alliance: https://lora-alliance.org/
Episode 34: How IoT Protects Forest and Combats Climate Change: https://www.podbean.eu/ep/pb-64tnj-d4d765
Listen to the "We Talk IoT" Soundtrack on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/05MOV4OV2MH2in2txsAGtG?si=ad08112cb8d443f4
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-NvQ6VJYtE&list=PLLqgVFfZhDRVYmpEqbgajzDvGL4kACRDp
About Avnet Silica:
This podcast is brought to you by Avnet Silica—the Engineers of Evolution.
Subscribe to our newsletters here: https://my.avnet.com/silica/resources/newsletter/
You can connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/silica-an-avnet-company/. Or find us at www.avnet-silica.com.
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Beyond the kettle: How Heatle boils down IoT efficiency into business value - We talk IoT #72
In this episode, we explore the future of kitchen efficiency with David Riding from Heatle, a Berlin-based startup revolutionising how we heat liquids through smart induction technology.
Heatle has developed an innovative smart heating system that uses magnetic induction and IoT connectivity to heat liquids directly in their containers, promising energy savings of up to 80% compared to traditional kettles. The system learns user patterns, integrates with smart home ecosystems, and opens new possibilities for subscription-based business models around energy data.
David discusses the journey from aerospace engineering to solving fundamental power electronics problems that previous startups couldn't crack. We explore the technical breakthrough that enabled Heatle to surpass the 300-watt power barrier, the role of energy harvesting in their temperature sensors, and how NFC technology simplifies user interaction.
From Bialetti coffee pots with automatic temperature control to smart hot water bottles, discover how IoT transforms everyday heating into precision experiences. We examine the challenges of marketing to diverse customer segments, the importance of listening to user feedback, and the transition from startup to full European production.
Tune in to learn how hardware innovation, customer collaboration, and smart technology integration create new business opportunities in the connected kitchen ecosystem.
#induction #heating #iot #smartkitchen #energyefficiency #wetalkiot
Summary of this week's episode:
01:46 Meet David Riding and Heatle's Origin Story
03:47 Why Kettles? The Energy Waste Problem
05:33 How Induction Heating Works vs Traditional Kettles
09:10 Breaking the 300-Watt Power Barrier
15:30 NFC Technology and Smart Tea Integration
19:26 Expanding Use Cases: Bialetti Coffee Pots and Beyond
22:35 Smart Home Integration Strategy
24:40 Data Analytics and German Privacy Standards
26:29 Software Updates and Customer Feedback Loops
32:36 Enterprise Integration: Kitchen Counters and Commercial Applications
35:59 Soundtrack Selection: From James Lavelle to Canned Heat
Show notes:
David Riding: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-riding-engineer/
Heatle: https://heatle.de/
Listen to the "We Talk IoT" Soundtrack on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/05MOV4OV2MH2in2txsAGtG?si=ad08112cb8d443f4
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-NvQ6VJYtE&list=PLLqgVFfZhDRVYmpEqbgajzDvGL4kACRDp
About Avnet Silica:
You can connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/silica-an-avnet-company/. Or find us at www.avnet-silica.com.
Subscribe to our newsletters here: https://my.avnet.com/silica/resources/newsletter/
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One SIM to rule them all: How eUICC transforms IoT connectivity - We talk IoT #71
In this episode, we dive into eUICC technology with Gregory Laloy, IoT Product Line Director at Thales Cybersecurity and Digital Identity. We explore how embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Cards revolutionise IoT connectivity by eliminating physical SIM management and enabling remote carrier switching.
Gregory explains the technical foundations of eUICC, its impact on global IoT deployments, and why this technology addresses one of the industry's most persistent challenges: connectivity fragmentation. We discuss real-world applications, implementation considerations, and how eUICC opens new possibilities for IoT use cases that span borders and carriers.
From smart meters requiring decades of reliable service to connected vehicles crossing international borders, eUICC enables seamless connectivity management. Gregory shares insights on security considerations, cost benefits, and why this technology is becoming the foundation for serious IoT deployments worldwide.
Discover how this technology transforms device lifecycle management and why eSIM connections are projected to exceed 4.5 billion by 2027.
#eUICC #eSIM #IoT #connectivity #mobile #wetalkiot
Summary of this week's episode:
01:46 Meet Gregory Laloy and Thales Cybersecurity and Digital Identity
02:49 Understanding eUICC technology and connectivity fragmentation
04:37 How eUICC differs from consumer eSIM solutions
06:49 Remote carrier switching and profile management
08:14 Security considerations and regulatory compliance
10:29 Use cases enabled by eUICC technology
12:14 Cost benefits and operational efficiency
14:23 Automotive and cross-border connectivity examples
16:50 Implementation for developers and technical requirements
18:54 Market adoption trends and 4.5 billion projection
21:03 Future developments and post-quantum cryptography
22:11 Recommendations for IoT project implementation
23:47 Gregory's final thoughts on IoT market growth
Show notes:
Gregory Laloy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-laloy-002759/
Thales Cybersecurity and Digital Identity: https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/markets/digital-identity-and-security/mobile/soft-and-cloud-sim
eSIM Market Report: https://kaleidointelligence.com/esim-connections-to-exceed-4-5-billion-in-2027-driven-by-an-expanding-consumer-market-kaleido-intelligence/
Optimising Power Efficiency with IoT:
https://www.podbean.eu/ep/pb-uund9-d4de87
Listen to the "We Talk IoT "Soundtrack on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/05MOV4OV2MH2in2txsAGtG?si=ad08112cb8d443f4
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-NvQ6VJYtE&list=PLLqgVFfZhDRVYmpEqbgajzDvGL4kACRDp
About Avnet Silica:
This podcast is brought to you by Avnet Silica—the Engineers of Evolution.
You can connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/silica-an-avnet-company/. Or find us at www.avnet-silica.com.
Subscribe to our newsletters here: https://my.avnet.com/silica/resources/newsletter/
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24:50
Keeping trains on track: How AXO Track prevents railway delays with IoT sensors - We talk IoT #70
In this episode, we explore the critical intersection of IoT technology and railway infrastructure with Oliver von Sperber, Managing Director at AXO Track, a German startup transforming railway switch maintenance.
Twenty per cent of train delays stem from switch malfunctions, costing operators millions and frustrating passengers worldwide. Oliver and his team address this challenge through IoT sensors that monitor railway switches in real time, detecting problems before they cause expensive breakdowns.
Oliver brings unique expertise to this problem. He founded AXO Track after running both an investment bank and a sensor technology company. He even completed training as a railway switch mechanic to understand the technical challenges firsthand.
We discuss the journey from manual maintenance to predictive maintenance, the technical challenges of deploying sensors in critical infrastructure, and how smartphone technology has made railway IoT economically viable.
#railway #IoT #predictivemaintenance #infrastructure #sensors #transportation #digitalisation #switches #wetalkiot #smartinfrastructure
Summary of this week's episode:
01:38 Meet AXO Track and the railway delay problem
03:45 Understanding railway switches and failure modes
07:15 Why this technology didn't exist before - smartphone revolution
09:20 IoT sensor technology: vibrations, temperature, and humidity
11:45 Technical challenges: deployment, power, and data processing
14:30 Digitalisation drivers: Green Deal and skilled worker shortage
18:15 European market challenges and infrastructure investment
21:20 Predictive maintenance benefits and efficiency gains
24:45 Research project with Fraunhofer IVI and Eisenbahn-Bundesamt
27:30 Future plans and European expansion strategy
30:15 Role of artificial intelligence in predictive maintenance
32:45 Future of railway IoT technology
Show notes:
Oliver von Sperber: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-von-sperber/
AXO Track: https://axotrack.de/en/
AXO Track Blog: https://axotrack.de/en/blog/
Listen to the "We Talk IoT "Soundtrack on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/05MOV4OV2MH2in2txsAGtG?si=ad08112cb8d443f4
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-NvQ6VJYtE&list=PLLqgVFfZhDRVYmpEqbgajzDvGL4kACRDp
About Avnet Silica:
This podcast is brought to you by Avnet Silica—the Engineers of Evolution.
You can connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/silica-an-avnet-company/. Or find us at www.avnet-silica.com.
Over We talk IoT – The Internet of Things Business Podcast
The We talk IoT podcast keeps you up to date with major developments in the world of the internet of things, IIoT, artificial intelligence, and cognitive computing. Our guests are leading industry experts, business professionals, and experienced journalists as they discuss some of today’s hottest tech topics and how they can help boost your bottom line.
You can follow We talk IoT – the Internet of Things Business podcast anywhere you get your podcasts.
About the host:
Stefanie Ruth Heyduck is a science and tech journalist with over 20 years of experience. She has worked for renowned magazines, research institutions, and tech companies. Also, she is an experienced communications consultant and supports her clients with digital and content strategies and new work transformations.
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