“Not too long ago, we went from believing that the computer is the computer, to understanding that the network is the computer. Today, Lunera is leading the next shift, one that has the potential to be even bigger: the network is everything around us,” said John Bruggeman, chief executive officer at Lunera.

“Until now, no one has conceived of the light bulb as the network or the platform for ambient computing. We believe Lunera is perfectly situated to realize the promise of this new compute paradigm,” he continued.

Earlier this month the California based IoT infrastructure company announced the introduction of their Lunera Smart Lamps, Lunera Ambient Compute software platform and Lunera Ambient Compute Marketplace. It embeds sophisticated IoT-edge technology, networking, compute, sensors and controls directly into the end-cap of an LED.

There are two interesting elements. Firstly, their new software platform automatically creates a self-organizing, Wi-Fi mesh network that can connect billions of IoT devices to the cloud - meaning each lamp can deliver an IoT network that is completely omnipresent.

Secondly, their compute technology, made up of processors, memory and storage can create a fog and edge cloud in each device. This enables its users to reduce their dependency on the cloud and benefit from less latency, more speed, improved security and privacy, and lower costs.

The network supports devices that use Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, IEEE 802.15.4 and EnOcean protocols. The Wi-Fi “enables Wi-Fi network monitoring and also extending the Wi-Fi mesh,” explained Bruggeman. “Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are like electricity and water for the digital experience,” he added.

There is also the Lunera Ambient Compute Marketplace for third-party applications offering an extra dimension. As we have seen with computers, smartphones and the Internet itself, facilitating and encouraging third-party applications and user generated content is key to the highest rates of growth in this era. There is no reason the IoT should be any different but a platform needs to offer services and flexibility.

Lunera’s IoT can enable context-aware applications within indoor settings on a massive scale. From indoor wayfinding, asset tracking and Wi-Fi monitoring to proximity messaging, space utilization and occupancy-based HVAC control, Lunera creates a flexible space for applications to run in and between the cloud, the edge and the device itself.

Built on an open, standards-based microservice architecture, the Ambient Compute Marketplace enables development, deployment and integration of third-party ecosystem applications - and in their announcement Lunera described the first wave of applications include:

Real-time location-based services that turn each lamp into a beacon that can transmit and receive signals. The platform supports both Apple iBeacon and Google Eddystone for proximity messaging, indoor GPS, asset tracking and space utilization, while providing pinpoint accuracy - unlike traditional beacons - and connectivity to the cloud where intelligence resides.

IoT networking that enables connectivity of everything smart to realize the potential of the IoT within indoor settings. Also, customers will be able to monitor their Wi-Fi networks to ensure higher predictability, reliability and always-on availability.

Energy management will allow for a different user experience for each building occupant. Utilizing Wi-Fi connectivity, each lamp can send energy usage to the cloud for interpretation and action, and adjust automatically to its surroundings. Lunera also enables tighter connectivity between utilities and customers to drive greater energy savings.

“We believe in the shared value of connectivity, and look forward to developing innovative applications on the new Lunera Ambient Compute platform while also providing our customers with the best possible lighting for their operational demands,” said Paul Roeser, senior vice president, global head of corporate development at IDI Logistics, suggesting there is also strong support in the market.

“Every day we are presented with ‘innovative’ technologies that will improve our employees’ work experience and increase productivity,” added Brett Hautop, senior director of global design and build, LinkedIn. “However, very rarely do we encounter a company like Lunera that has such a unique approach to change the way context-based applications are run in and between the cloud, further changing the way we all operate.”

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