The Internet of Things (IoT) is making significant strides beyond just smart homes and urban environments. In diverse areas like expansive US farms and small European breweries, niche industries are leveraging basic technology to enhance operations and lessen manual labor. Recent examples illustrate how different contexts influence IoT deployment while emphasizing the importance of foundational solutions. In the agricultural sector, Emergent Connext is collaborating with Microsoft’s Airband initiative to expand LoRaWAN coverage in rural regions, including farms in California, Ohio, and the Mississippi Delta.
These areas often struggle with unreliable internet, hindering the use of essential tools such as irrigation monitors and livestock trackers. LoRaWAN, being a low-power, long-range wireless protocol, is particularly suited for rural settings. This partnership addresses the critical need for farmers to have consistent and affordable access to data networks, enabling real-time collection of sensor data like soil moisture and temperature. On the brewing front, PLAATO, a startup specializing in fermentation, is teaming up with Telenor IoT to help breweries monitor production more effectively.
Rather than requiring breweries to build custom systems, PLAATO’s platform integrates data from various programmable logic controllers (PLCs) into a single dashboard. This allows brewers to manage recipes and fermentation processes, catching potential issues early. Telenor IoT provides a managed service that simplifies data integration without necessitating new machinery investments. Both instances underscore that IoT isn’t exclusively about advanced AI or automation.
Instead, it’s often about applying suitable technologies to specific environments. In farming, where devices are dispersed over large areas, LoRaWAN excels. Conversely, breweries benefit from the use of PLCs, which can streamline operations without replacing existing infrastructure. Market projections indicate a steady growth for both the brewing and agriculture IoT sectors, highlighting a rising demand for intuitive tools that operate within real-world limitations.
As these markets evolve, there is also an increasing focus on data ownership and access. Farmers and brewers alike are wary of sharing sensitive production data, prompting a preference for local storage to maintain control. In summary, while both projects—Emergent Connext and PLAATO—began with modest intentions, they are designed for scalability. Successful IoT integration hinges on technology that is reliable, environment-appropriate, and capable of addressing specific challenges without introducing unnecessary complexity.