US manufacturer Stanley Black & Decker is working with T-Mobile and Ericsson to connect its industrial tools and household hardware.
The deal for airtime is with T-Mobile in Austria, and designates its narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) network in Austria for low-power wide-area (LPWA) connectivity. Ericsson is providing global connectivity outside of Austria via its IoT Accelerator, which bundles cellular IoT roaming in other markets, along with device management tools and a pipeline of certified IoT modules.
Ericsson said the trio are “simplifying and accelerating the global deployment” of Stanley Black & Decker’s connected equipment and services. Stanley Black & Decker is seeking to connect high-end heavy excavators for predictive maintenance, tracking and productivity monitoring, and connected security infrastructure for software updates, intruder detection and alerts, and appropriate responses.
The Connecticut-based firm has also produced a connected solar pump (NADI Smart Solar Pump) for a farming project in India. The five-horsepower model can deliver 100,000 litres of water a day, to irrigate around five acres of land throughout the year for higher crop yields. The pump can be managed from a mobile phone.
Around 35 mobile operators, working in 100-odd countries, are part of Ericsson’s IoT Accelerator programme; the service currently IoT device and connectivity management for 5,000 enterprises globally, Ericsson claims.
Mike Keogh, president at Stanley-X, Stanley Black & Decker’s Silicon Valley based innovation company, commented: “We leverage cellular IoT along with renewable energy to expand workable areas for farms, simplify compliance to regulations, conserve natural resources, decrease dependency on fossil fuel, and increase revenue opportunities for farmers. We’re proud to offer improvements to the quality of life of farmers while improving the environment.“
Maria Zesch, chief commercial officer for business and digitalization at T-Mobile Austria, said: “Stanley Black & Decker demonstrates what an innovative company can achieve by combining its products with connectivity to have a positive and sustainable impact productivity and income of farmers. As an operator, we are delighted to help them leverage the connectivity and coverage to meet the needs of the local market and their project.”
Kiva Allgood, head of IoT at Ericsson, said: “Accelerating digital transformation and sustainability is a critical outcome we can deliver by partnering with T-Mobile Austria and Stanley Black & Decker. Leveraging Ericsson IoT Accelerator, a dedicated IoT network, it is possible to promote sustainable agriculture and contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.”
