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ARM Buys Software Maker Sensinode To Spur IoT Development

We have noted before how the lack of cross-industry standards (including those governing security) is a major stumbling block to the Internet of Things. This is especially true in the enterprise space, where the security of data that might be passed between Internet-connected devices is paramount, but not well addressed by the current generation of (PC-centric) security products.

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ARM said that it would use Sensinode’s software and standards along with its hardware to spur development of Internet of Things technology. (Photo courtesy of ARM Ltd.)

As with so much in the fast-emerging Internet of Things, change on this score will come from unlikely places, as we see with the news today about ARM acquiring the Finnish software maker Sensinode Oy – a major player in the market for software to power connected devices.

The news, which was announced on Tuesday, will join ARM – a leading maker of chips that power mobile devices – with Sensinode, which has pioneered software and software standards for low-power devices used in everything from mobile phones and tablets to wearable computing.

Following the acquisition of privately-held Sensinode, ARM said it will continue to offer the company’s software, NanoStack and NanoService. Those products provide tools that allow programmers to more easily develop software applications that run on low power devices and that are compliant with standards like the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) 6LoWPAN (IPv6 over Low power Wireless Personal Area Networks) and Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP). ARM will push Sensinode-based open standards through its mbed development program.

Sensinode CEO Adam Gould said, in a statement, that his company’s technology, coupled with the ARM hardware like the Cortex family of processors “will provide a compelling solution for Internet of Things developers.” The two companies see Sensinode software and ARM hardware as a stable foundation for a wide range of new, low power intelligent devices such as wireless sensors, smart connected appliances, home health applications and wearable electronics.

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