New protocol to run on top of Bluetooth® Low Energy to create mesh networks of many devices with minimal setup and low latency

CSR plc have today announced the launch of their new “CSR Mesh” technology to widen the scope of Bluetooth® Low Energy and take it further into the IoT space.

The new CSR Mesh protocol runs on top of standard Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE; previously known as Bluetooth Smart) but creates decentralized networks of interconnected devices, where any device in a network can communicate with any other and each network can support up to 65,000 devices. As each device extends the range of the entire network, the normal Bluetooth Low Energy range limitations cease to apply.

Since CSR Mesh is built on top of standard Bluetooth Low Energy, most existing Bluetooth Low Energy devices should be capable of being updated to support this new standard. This extends to PCs and smartphones, opening up the possibility of using these to simply and conveniently control large numbers embedded devices.

Initial applications for CSR Mesh are expected to include smart lighting systems, heating control, building control, security systems and asset tracking.

“Unlike other home automation connectivity solutions, such as Zigbee or Z-Wave, CSR Mesh ensures direct control from mobile devices anywhere in the home, because it doesn’t have a limited range or require a hub,” says Anthony Murray, Senior Vice President, Business Group at CSR. “CSR is committed to driving Internet of Things innovation. We believe this Bluetooth Smart solution will be a real game changer for developers because it means they don’t have to turn to proprietary solutions or add anything else to create products that give consumers what they want – complete home automation they can control from anywhere that ‘just works’.”

CSR have released a video demonstrating the new technology, which can be viewed here.

Bluetooth SIG Names Bionym as Overall Winner of The Bluetooth Breakthrough Awards 2014

Congratulations to Bionym who have been declared the overall winner of the 2014 Bluetooth® Breakthrough Awards by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG).

The Bluetooth SIG announced the four category winners and the overall winner for its Bluetooth Breakthrough Awards 2014 competition at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain yesterday. The category winners are: Automatic Labs in the Breakthrough Application category, Nonin Medical Inc. in the Breakthrough Product category, Bionym in the Breakthrough Prototype category (and the overall winner) and Shiva Nathan in the Breakthrough Student category.

“We were blown away at the quantity and quality of submissions in just the second year of our Breakthrough Awards program. Our winners capture how we continue to see Bluetooth Smart empower the Internet of My Things as well as make bigger possibilities with wireless connectivity a reality in the Internet of Everything,” said Suke Jawanda, Bluetooth SIG CMO. “Bionym, our overall winner, is an excellent example of how the power-efficient, intelligent connectivity of Bluetooth Smart makes it possible for developers and OEMs to reimagine their products in a way that makes the consumers’ lives more convenient, smarter and better.”

Winners by Category

Breakthrough Student

Shiva Nathan, Arduino-based Bluetooth Transhumeral Prosthesis – A low cost, brain-controlled interface (BCI) transhumeral prosthetic that fits onto amputees’ hands and relies on a Bluetooth® transmitter to send information and commands to the prosthetic. The quick, efficient data transfer capabilities of Bluetooth technology make Nathan’s prosthesis project a possible reality that will enable those recovering from amputation surgery to lead better, more enriched lives.

Breakthrough Application

Automatic Labs, Automatic – Makes drivers more intelligent by using Bluetooth® Low Energy (previously known as Bluetooth® Smart) technology to send vehicle information to a mobile device app that tracks real-time data about fuel efficiency, trip costs and driving habits.

Breakthrough Product

Nonin Medical Inc., Nonin Model 3230 Bluetooth Smart Finger Pulse Oximeter – The world’s first clinical Bluetooth® Low Energy medical device that measures blood, oxygen, pulse rate and other pulse signal characteristics. With the secure, intelligent connection made possible by Bluetooth Low Energy, the 3230 provides a cost-effective way for patients and healthcare providers to better manage health.

Breakthrough Prototype and Overall Winner

Bionym, the Nymi – The first wearable authentication technology that uses cardiac rhythm recognition for identity verification and communicates that access – via Bluetooth® Low Energy – to nearby devices and systems. The Nymi leverages the reliable, secure and one-to-many features of Bluetooth Low Energy to make identity protection safe and simple for consumers.