The Internet of Things will affect people´s everyday lifes, at least that is what we believe. In just a few years from now, it is expected that billions of devices and systems will be able to exchange data independently. Bosch Software Innovations has already come up with some initial practical applications in connection with the internet of things. In close cooperation with other Bosch business units we introduced internet technologies to telehealth, electric mobility, and cloud-based security and building automation only recently. But this is just the beginning…
Being renamed to Bosch Software Innovations as of January, 2011, we continued our development in the fields of the internet of things bringing in our rule-based concepts and technologies. By doing this we are facing a considerably huge technology stack, so here is my list of nominees. Which one(s) do you regard as essential in order to realize such Internet applications? Please cast your vote in the right column.
OSGi
The OSGi specifications are so widely applicable because the platform is a small layer that allows multiple Java™ based components to efficiently cooperate in a single Java Virtual Machine (JVM). It provides an extensive security model so that components can run in a shielded environment. However, with the proper permissions, components can reuse and cooperate, unlike other Java application environments. The OSGi Framework provides an extensive array of mechanisms to make this cooperation possible and secure.
Read more: http://www.osgi.org
Java ME
Java Platform, Micro Edition (Java ME) provides a robust, flexible environment for applications running on mobile and other embedded devices: mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), TV set-top boxes, and printers. Java ME includes flexible user interfaces, robust security, built-in network protocols, and support for networked and offline applications that can be downloaded dynamically. Applications based on Java ME are portable across many devices, yet leverage each device's native capabilities.
Read more: http://www.oracle.com/
ZigBee
The ZigBee specification, officially named ZigBee 2007, offers full wireless mesh networking capable of supporting more than 64,000 devices on a single network. It’s designed to connect the widest range of devices, in any industry, into a single control network. ZigBee supports the largest number of interoperable standards including ZigBee Health Care, ZigBee Home Automation, ZigBee Smart Energy, ZigBee Telecom Services, and the forthcoming ZigBee Building Automation and ZigBee Retail Services.
NoSQL
NoSQL is the term used to designate database management systems that differ from classic relational database management systems (RDBMSes). These data stores may not require fixed table schemas, and usually avoid join operations and typically scale horizontally. The most common interpretation of "NoSQL" is "non-relational" and emphasizes the advantages of Key-Value Stores, Document Databases, and Graph Databases.
Read more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NoSQL
JMX
The Java Management Extensions (JMX) API is a standard API for management and monitoring of resources such as applications, devices, services, and the Java virtual machine. Typical uses of the JMX technology include consulting and changing application configuration, accumulating and publishing statistics about application behavior, as well as notifying users or applications of state changes and erroneous conditions. The JMX API includes remote access, so a remote management program can interact with a running application for the above purposes.
Read more: http://openjdk.java.net/groups/jmx/
RFID / NFC
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is a technology that uses communication through the use of radio waves to exchange data between a reader and an electronic tag attached to an object, for the purpose of identification and tracking. Near field communication (NFC) is a set of short-range wireless technologies, typically requiring a distance of 4 cm or less. NFC always involves an initiator and a target; the initiator actively generates an RF field that can power a passive target. This enables NFC targets to take very simple form factors such as tags, stickers, key fobs, or cards that do not require batteries.
Read more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio-frequency_identification
Read more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_field_communication
Again, which (Java) technologies do you regard as essential for the internet of things?
I would really appreciate your vote. Additionally, please feel free to comment my selection at any time.
Submit your vote by clicking one ore more of the options given in the poll box on the right side. Thank you! All results will be presented here in the Technology Blog on May 6th, 2011.