Telefonica’s and Samsung’s Spanish R&D units on Tuesday formed a partnership to work up use cases and prototype device s for the Internet of Things (IoT).
"We want to extend our connectivity to all kinds of new devices, making the development of applications using these devices really simple," said Francisco Jariego, Telefónica I+D’s IoT industrial director, in a statement. "Working together with Samsung is essential to speed up the go to market of our innovation efforts in IoT, a technology which is here to stay."
Two prototypes are already in development. One will see Telefonica’s Thinking Things platform – the Lego way of creating IoT devices by snapping together various modular, programmable elements with one other – integrated with Samsung’s devices and sensor technology. This will be used to identify potential new products and services.
The other, more mysterious prototype describes itself as a physical button that acts as a universal way of connecting devices to the IoT. Details are thin on the ground but Telefonica and Samsung said it could have applications for home automation and connected appliances.
"This initiative with Telefonica allows us to explore the countless possibilities offered by Samsung’s industry-leading technology in order to create innovative solutions and make them available for our consumers," said Alfredo Aragüés, Samsung Spain’s R&D division lead, in a statement.
The IoT will be a cornerstone of the so-called Industrial Internet, which is expected to generate revenue of $15 billion within the next 15 years, according to Telefonica and Samsung.
"The true value of IoT technology is making the user experience easier and more intuitive. This is why we regard Telefonica’s Thinking Things platform as an excellent environment for the development of revolutionary initiatives in the IoT field that will be able to bring these opportunities to life in the present day," Aragüés said.
