Machine-To-Machine (M2M) is a broad term. M2M connections enable machines, vehicles and devices to communicate, to collect and share data through wired and wireless networks. Though because of this broad terminology M2M still is a sealed book for many consumers, but the Internet of Things (IoT) and M2M communications market is estimated to reach $290.0 billion by 2017 at a CAGR of 30.1% (MarketsandMarkets).
Energy is one of the sectors M2M has and will have a huge impact in. M2M communication can help produce sustainable energy consumption, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Utility companies, cities, businesses, and households can use this to lower their carbon footprint.
A Smart Grid offers utility companies a platform to better monitor, manage and control the electricity grid with a shorter deploy time and lower cost. It provides utilities with real-time data and facilitates efficient energy management. Companies can then adjust energy availability (gas and electricity) as well as pricing according to demand, like cutting down production and price at night, when demand for electricity drops.
Electric vehicles can be connected to a grid that monitors and controls energy usage; excess energy can then be fed back into the grid. Embedded sensor systems facilitate communication between a city and the grid. South Korea for example recently announced they will wirelessly charge their busses with specially equipped asphalt. A Smart City would make it a lot easier to find parking too - sensors could lead residents to the next free parking lot or spot by communicating with their smartphones.
Smart Homes and Smart Buildings efficiently use energy by managing electrical devices, heating, air conditioning etc.; turning power or heat on or off. Homeowners producing their own energy with renewable sources can store their excess energy for a later use. Smart Buildings monitor everything, from heating to elevators. Building managers can pull data, run analytics, fin-tune and optimize the energy performance of his building and are contacted in case of a power outage.
This is not only the future of the Internet of Things; we are already in the middle of it. Many great applications, gadgets and technologies are already out there, contestants of last year's M2M Challenge would agree.
tado° for example who won the category "Energy" in 2012. Their intelligent heating control system works with a smartphone app to remotely turn the heating on, off, up or down. Or QGate who also won a category of the 2012 M2M Challenge. QGate looks like an ordinary power plug, but it connects living spaces with electrical devices and lets users monitor and control these through their smartphones.
For all this a reliable network and easy-to-integrate technologies are essential. These easy-to-integrate M2M technologies are what the M2M Challenge is looking for. Developers are invited to submit their ideas until November 30th 2013 at m2m-challenge.com. In addition to the category Energy, developers can submit their solution in the categories Energy, Mobility, Healthcare, Security and Consumer Electronics & More.
About M2M Challenge
The M2M Challenge is the leading award in the field of machine-to-machine (m2m) communication. The innovation competition recognizes and awards new, cutting edge, and revolutionary m2m solutions. Developers as well as users are invited to register their solutions in one of five categories: mobility, energy, security, healthcare, and consumer electronics & more. An international panel of experts will then evaluate all entries regarding their innovative character, business potential, and usability. Innovative m2m solutions can be submitted online at www.m2m-challenge.com by November 30th 2013.
Title sponsors are Swisscom and Ericsson; other sponsors include Telit Wireless Solutions and VARTA Microbattery. The international partner network includes m2m apps (initiator), Beecham Research, m2m Forum, TAITRA, Cluster 55, Team Côte d'Azur, Wearable Technologies, m2m Forum, Innovative City Convention, Continua Health Alliance, Comm4Innov, Innovative City Convention, CSEM, Alp ICT, Communication World, and Plug and Play Tech Center.