Editor’s note: A National Science Foundation-supported conference in Raleigh over the next two days will explore the creation of a roadmap toward developing a national Internet of Things strategy. The NSF Nanosystems Engineering Research Center (NERC) for Advanced Self-Powered Systems of Integrated Sensors and Technologies (ASSIST) at NCSU is acting as host. Matthew Davis, one of the leaders in North Carolina’s RIoT (Regional Internet of Things) organization provides a preview.

RALEIGH, N.C. – Does the state North Carolina have a clear roadmap for the exploding Internet of Things market? Does the country? Do we even need one?

Not yet, no, and yes.

In the Fall of 2015, one of the National Science Foundation’s leading executives approached Tom Snyder, Industry Liason for the ASSIST Center at NC State, and one of NC RIoT’s biggest supporters.

The ask: Help the NSF bring thought-leaders across the local, state, and federal governments to the table alongside the research community, business, healthcare, and industry. The future of billions of devices connected to one another via the internet means that once siloed projects requires new levels of collaboration.

Take the current tainted water crisis in Flint, MI. A sustainable IoT solution that prevents future issues joins together hardware, software, and data companies, the EPA, the Department of Health and Human Services, FEMA, and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. That kind of fix can’t happen with disputes over who controls what. IoT bridges all of these together.

In response to the NSF’s request, the ASSIST Center hosts an industry first workshop, “Generating the IoT Roadmap” this Wednesday and Thursday, Feb 10-11.

Key executives from IBM, SAS, AT&T, BD, and the Semiconductor Research Corporation join 40 other IoT companies to work side-by-side with leaders from the NSF, the USDA, NC State, as well as Lt. Governor Dan Forest, Assistant Secretary of Commerce Pat Mitchell, and Representative John Szoka.


Conference goals: Defining the IoT Future

  • Broaden Impact

This workshop provides an opportunity to efficiently broaden the impact of ASSIST by bringing other market verticals to the table (military, civic, smart home, education, transportation, energy, and so forth).

  • Define Research Goals

The workshop will create specific goals and objectives for research and innovation needs in this emerging space.

  • Innovation in IoT

The workshop will merging the of advanced technology experts with commercial IoT industry drivers that can drive innovation and propel the US to gain leadership in this space.


During this two-day workshop these experts from the research, industrial and economic development communities seek to understand each other. Defining the needs of the policy makers, research, the military, and the business community lays the foundation for a strong IoT roadmap. Building specific goals and actionable next steps, a big focus of the workshop, only occurs if we help build meaningful relationships up front.

Having early insight into the fundamental research occurring today also helps our state and country identify market gaps. Pairing this research with economic incentive ensures that the US will establish global leadership in IoT, and that our research benefits both the private and public markets.

NC RIoT, which Larry Steffann of the Wireless Research Center and I both serve as co-founders, are proud to support the NSF and the ASSIST Center. Many companies from the 1,400 member RIoT community serve as panelists, speakers, and participants at the workshop. Working together is a natural fit, as NC RIoT’s mission is to lead our community in defining IoT opportunities locally, nationally, and globally.

While our state and nation don’t yet have a clear roadmap for a cohesive Internet of Things strategy, we will. And yes, we absolutely need one. The IoT opportunity will be the biggest industrial revolution since the internet itself. By working together and walking in stride, we’ll go farther, faster.

For more information about the workshop visit:

http://www.assistworkshops.com/iot-roadmap/

Note: Matthew Davis is vice president of marketing for Reveal Mobile and a co-founder of NC RIoT.