Element14 Unveils Two IoT Starter kits With EnOcean And IBM Technologies

Entrepreneur and Enterprise editions provide out-of-the-box Pi-based solutions for both makers and industrial applications

Global electronics distributor and online community element14 today launches two Internet of Things (IoT) starter kits that tap into technologies from EnOcean and IBM. Both Entrepreneur and Enterprise editions feature micro-computer boards from element14 and energy harvesting wireless sensors from EnOcean, and provide seamless integration to IBM’s Watson IoT Platform. The new kits are officially launching both at IBM Interconnect 2016 in Las Vegas and Embedded World 2016 in Nuremberg.

Using the popular Raspberry Pi single board computer, these out-of-the-box, IoT-ready starter kits are flexible and cost-effective gateways to developing intelligent building products for hospitals, homes, airports and other venues on the way to a seamlessly connected IoT. The Entrepreneur kit is more technical in nature, for ‘makers,’ engineers and start-ups, while the Enterprise model caters to facilities mangers, property owners and property management companies.

“In our increasingly digital world element14 is committed to pushing the boundaries of today’s electronics landscape, and the Entrepreneur kit and Enterprise solution are confident steps in the right direction,” said David Shen, Group Chief Technology Officer, Premier Farnell. “By joining with EnOcean and IBM, we hope to enhance and broaden today’s IoT landscape and lay a sound framework that inspires future innovations.”

The Entrepreneur solution includes EnOcean self-powered sensors, a Raspberry Pi and EnOcean Pi boards from element14, and provides access to the IBM Watson IoT Platform and Bluemix services from IBM. The Enterprise model includes EnOcean OEM self-powered sensors and EnOcean Gateway from element14, as well as access to software and services from IBM including IBM’s Watson IoT Platform and IBM TRIRIGA facilities management software.

“The possibilities of the Internet of Things are huge and will take intelligent buildings to the next level of energy-efficiency, security and comfort,” said Andreas Schneider, Chief Marketing Officer, EnOcean GmbH. “We are combining field-proven energy harvesting wireless sensors with the IBM Watson IoT Platform for a smart, cloud-based solution that provides new forms of automation. It’s great that element14 is opening these capabilities to developers and companies with two customised kits for an easy start into the world of the self-powered IoT.”

EnOcean’s energy harvesting wireless technology provides self-powered, wireless sensors to capture and transmit data across an increasingly connected IoT network. They use miniaturised energy converters, which gain energy from motion, light and temperature of the surrounding environment, allowing the sensors to work without batteries, and are maintenance-free. The converters, together with wireless modules, comprehensive energy management and ultra-low power radio communication offer OEMs a complete energy harvesting platform.

The IBM Watson IoT Platform allows organisations to securely and easily connect devices, from chips and intelligent appliances to applications and industry solutions. Scaling through cloud-based services and using rich analytics, the IBM Watson IoT Platform provides organisations with new insight for innovation and transformation. IBM TRIRIGA provides a single system to manage the lifecycle of facilities. Its integrated workplace management system increases the operational, financial and environmental performance of facilities.

Both products are expected to be available early April from element14. Engineers and buyers can access a wide range of technical information, tools and resources regarding the kits on element14’s Community and Design Center.

To learn more about the collaboration between element14, IBM and EnOcean, please visit element14.com.