Tying the Cloud to the Smart Grid and Robots

For the last several weeks, I have been in proof-of-concept mode working on two separate projects, one related to the smart grid and the other to robotics.

• In a few weeks, I’ll be demonstrating (via the web) a smart grid proof-of-concept that we have developed with our latest partner, Dajac Inc, a manufacturer of I/O controllers headquartered in Westfield, Indiana. This proof-of-concept is an example of machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, demonstrating how either a household appliance or industrial machinery can be turned on and off automatically, based on the cost of electricity.
• And this Saturday (February 27th), at the South Florida Code Camp in Miramar, Florida, I’ll be demonstrating a cloud robotics project I’ve been working on. This proof-of-concept entails a robot that can be controlled from anywhere in the world using cloud computing.

I am very excited to finally be able to demo these two types of projects, as they tie-in to my original motivation for creating the Linxter cloud messaging platform… the coming of the Smart Revolution.

Starting with the smart grid project, you might first be asking, what exactly is the Smart Grid? Borrowing from a previous post of mine, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) states “Think of the Smart Grid as the internet brought to our electric system… Devices such as wind turbines, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and solar arrays are not part of the Smart Grid. Rather, the Smart Grid encompasses the technology that enables us to integrate, interface with and intelligently control these innovations and others.”

You might be wondering how Linxter and Dajac fit into the smart grid discussion. To answer that, Linxter allows distributed apps and systems to securely and reliable communicate in an easy to use manner, regardless of the number of intermediary networks involved and regardless of whether or not they are secure. Dajac’s Expert I/O 1000 controller is the last mile technology, which allows for the interaction with endpoint devices/systems which are not TCP/IP based. It is a natural fit, and together, all of those devices which are not TCP/IP can now interact in a secure and reliable manner with devices that are TCP/IP, via the Internet.

Now, the cloud robot project, this is something I’ve always wanted to do. Thanks to a great robotics community, I was able to learn about all of the various off-the-shelf components available for projects like this. After the presentation on February the 27th, I’ll post an online tutorial showing how I built it and will detail all of the parts and where to get them from. By making this a Linxter enabled robot (LinxterBot), it can be controlled from anywhere in the world securely and reliable using the Internet. Data collected by the robot can be transmitted to remote endpoints via communication channels, which can be easily created and deleted as needed, all while adhering to your access control criteria. Aside from the exciting technical aspects of this project, an important side benefit is that my kids, age 10 and 7, think it is cool.

For both projects, people will be able to view and interact with them via the web. You will be able to observe them in real time via streaming video, as well as control them. For the smart grid project, you will be able to change the cost of electricity thresholds that determine when the device is turned on or off. And for the cloud robot, you will be able to drive it around an indoor course we have set up in the office.

Both demos will allow people to takes turns controlling these smart devices. At the beginning of each turn, a secure, reliable communication channel will be created between the device and the user. When the turn is over, that communication channel will be automatically deleted. The code for the programs running on each device will be made available as open source solutions on Linxter Developer under the MIT License.

With the smart revolution, or whatever term you use, what is even more exciting than the explosion in the number of IP (Internet Protocol) enabled devices, is the way developers will be able to innovate through the interconnection of all of these things. Innovation through interconnection (securely and reliably in an easy to use manner), is what Linxter is all about. I hope our cloud messaging platform allows you to more easily and efficiently turn your innovative ideas and proofs-of-concept into real products and services.

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