Sprint's 'Curiosity' Aims to Advance an IoT-Connected World
*By Samantha Errico*
As our world becomes more digital, companies are increasingly turning to the "internet of things" to inform their business practices. One such company is cellphone-service provider Sprint, which recently announced a "Curiosity IoT" platform ー a network designed to turn sensor data into "actionable intelligence," according to the chief of products and solutions at the IoT division, Ricky Singh.
Although the project is still in its early stages, Singh hopes that this core network will "create an intrinsic part of the ecosystem that helps bring solutions to bear that do impact our lives positively."
The internet of things, Singh told Cheddar, is enabling smart homes and smart buildings to be safer and more efficient. For example, IoT sensors can send users a phone notification when a person arrives at office ー those censors can also dim the lights when that user leaves a common area in his or her office building.
On a fundamental level, Singh said, IoT aims to create new experiences and services for guests, up the levels of efficiency for building owners, and reinforce safety and security for tenants.
"We're seeing traditional work spaces being evolved in more collaborative fashions ー you go there to interact with your co-workers rather than sit at a desk and work," Singh said. "And for the gig economy specifically, we're seeing the rise of companies like WeWork that provide co-sharing spaces that are all sort of powered in many ways by IoT. "
"Digitization of everything has really impacted what going into the office or building means for us," Singh said.
Parallel Systems has been selected to receive $4.5 million from the Department of Energy for an advanced testing program of its autonomous, battery-electric rail vehicles. The startup, which has raised more than $53 million to date, was founded by former SpaceX engineers to reimagine the rail system by creating a more efficient, decarbonized freight network. Matt Soule, Co-founder & CEO of Parallel Systems, joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss what the company hopes to achieve.
A bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) aims to tackle the spread of misinformation on social media platforms, as well as the addictive nature of the sites and negative mental health impacts they have on users. The 'Nudge Act' would require studies to find and compile potential interventions that platforms could use to encourage people to think before they share a post, or log off after spending too much time on an app. The FTC would create rules based on these findings, and hold the platforms accountable. But will it work? Jesse Lehrich, co-founder of Accountable Tech, joins Closing Bell to discuss the bill, whether real results and regulations could come from it, and more.
A.I.-based entertainment company, Deedub, recently raised
$20 million in a Series A round, led by Insight Partners. Deepdub uses A.I. technology to automate the dubbing process for foreign-language movies or TV shows, while using actors' original voices. The company says it can take just two to three minutes of data from an actor's voice and transform the voice into a different language. The funding comes as foreign-language films and shows like Netflix's 'Squid Game' have recently become more popular with audiences in the U.S. and around the world. Oz Krakowski, Chief Revenue Officer at Deepdub, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
