- Generating a new kind of value that achieves true open source with our customers -

No.2014-170

October 3,2014

KDDI announces the release of a creative platform for embedded-system developers and Web developers that consists of Open Web Board, Development board based on Firefox OS that enables linking with various electronic devices equipped with near field communication function, and Gluin, an application development tool that enables simple linking programming between electronic devices with just a few operations on a PC browser. KDDI will be providing Open Web Board for use with Gluin free of charge at developer events starting from the end of October 2014.

Also, ahead of the Open Web Board and Gluin distribution, KDDI will open the "au Firefox OS Portal Site" on October 5, 2014. This community site will serve as a place where KDDI releases details about upcoming developer events and as a place where developers can share ideas about devices and programming.

Open Web Board is a stick-type development board that enables connection with various commercial devices that support Bluetooth (R) Low Energy (hereafter "BLE") sensors. Furthermore, by connecting with a commercially-available Zigbee (R) communication module, it is possible to link with a wide array of embedded-system electronic devices.

Gluin is an application development tool that lets developers centrally manage and accomplish graphic-based linking programming between Open Web Board and various other embedded-system devices such as mbed (TM) devices (ARM Ltd., UK) on the Web. With this feature, even developers who are not normally familiar with Web programming can enjoy easy linking programming between devices.

KDDI will continue to utilize the open mobile platform, Firefox OS, developed by Mozilla Corporation (Headquarters: Mountain View, CA; CEO: Chris Beard) and work with developers to create a new kind of value never seen before using Web technology to connect not just PCs and smartphones, but other electronic products.

KDDI will hold a demonstration of Open Web Board and Gluin ahead of their distribution at Mozilla Open Web Day in Tokyo (Chiyoda-ku) being held by Mozilla Japan (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Satoko Takita) on October 5, 2014.

KDDI plans to hold more hackathons and events centered around inter-device linking program using Web technology and ways of thinking about new Web designs based on Firefox OS.