FreeWave, a US-based provider of radio connectivity and edge computing for the industrial internet of things (IIoT), has formed a joint venture with New Zealand-based IIoT device platform provider ModuSense, to “make global innovation of turn-key IIoT solutions a reality – quickly and cost-effectively.”
FreeWave says the joint venture will give it access to a flexible, agile innovation centre, enabling it to respond more quickly to customer and market needs with off-the-shelf and fully customised IIoT solutions.
The company is an established provider of radio systems for industrial data communications and has integrated this technology with edge computing devices and software platforms to support IIoT applications. It claims to deliver an ecosystem of intelligent radios and solutions to support reliable connectivity in some of the most challenging, remote and rugged environments in the world. It has operations in 39 countries and has been in business for 27 years.
It does not appear to have a presence in Australia but in 2016 wrote a blogsubtly promoting its technologies to aid Australia’s battle against the drought. It concluded: “Today’s IIoT technology marketplace has begun to produce exciting new solutions to address remote wi-fi needs similar to the challenges being faced in Australia today. The steps Australia takes to find a suitable solution to its connectivity problems can set the stage for solving similar challenges in remote areas across the globe.”
ModuSense has developed an IIoT platform that it claims can “power IoT solutions from large enterprises to innovative start-ups and everyone in between.” It includes a modular sensor ecosystem and supports a range of communications technologies including LTE, satellite, BLE.
ModuSense says its platform will complement FreeWave’s portfolio by “adding proven full-stack, off-the-shelf SaaS solutions and a more flexible, agile gateway sensing solution to give a variety of industries— from transportation, maritime, agriculture, and beyond — the ability to better track and gather data to help optimise their business in a time of unpredictable weather and supply chain disruptions.”
ModuSense CEO Bruce Trevarthen said the JV would help companies challenged by setting IIoT systems across geographically dispersed, remote operations. “Our combined portfolio delivers a super powerhouse of capabilities to customers who are hungry for integrated solutions designed to make industrial remote operations more efficient, make critical data more intelligent and help save money to make money.”
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