IT giants target barriers to internet of things

Some of the world’s biggest technology companies have come together to “break down the barriers” standing in the way of the internet of things.

The founding members of the new Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC) include AT&T, Cisco, GE, IBM and Intel.

The open membership organization will focus on eliminating “technology silos to support better access to big data with improved integration of the physical and digital worlds,” according to an announcement from IBM.

The internet of things envisions a future in which devices of all kinds — not just computers and smartphones, but stoves, lamps, washing machines, security systems and more — can “talk” with one another to enable smarter, more efficient operation of homes, businesses, buildings and cities.

“Ninety-nine percent of everything is still unconnected,” said Guido Jouret, vice president of Internet of Things Business Group for Cisco. “As the world looks to connect more things over the internet, it is creating the next industrial revolution.”

Membership in the IIC will be open to any public or private business, organization or other group that is “interested in driving global market development for the industrial internet.”

“We are at the precipice of a major technological shift at the intersection of the cyber and physical worlds, one with broad implications that will lead to substantial benefits, not just for any one organization, but for humanity,” said Janos Sztipanovits, a professor of engineering and director of the Institute for Software Integrated Systems at Vanderbilt University. “Academia and industry understand the need to identify and establish new foundations, common frameworks and standards for the industrial internet, and are looking to the IIC to ensure that these efforts come together into a cohesive whole.”

The not-for-profit computer industry standards organization Object Management Group will handle day-to-day operations for the Industrial Internet Consortium.