IBM is one major company that has emerged at the forefront of blockchain technology, as well as new and emerging tech such as IoT and AI. Their continued drive has now seen them link up with V-ID to place the first IoE (Internet of environment) sensor on the roof of IBM’s HQ in the Netherlands.

This sensor, placed in an urban area, will sense and analyse environmental data like micro-dust, humidity, CO2-levels and temperature and can be helpful in many ways for enterprises looking to evolve with the times. It can help in reducing unnecessary energy use, help create healthy and comfortable environments for communities, and spot risks and problems before they occur.

With the Internet of Environments, V-ID will link IoE sensors to IBM Watson. V-ID provides the mechanism to certify that the sensor data originates from a trusted source. In this way, they ensure a scalable setup.

The important role of the data from measurements taken by such sensors makes them vulnerable to influencing by parties with an interest in the developments within such a social domain. Integrity is thus of the utmost importance when designing a process for recording these environmental measurements.

Understanding the importance of IoE

The aim of the Internet of Environments is to investigate how sensor data can be measured, shared and valued more accurately and reliably for the benefit of the environment and health.

It may not be an obvious link, but environmental information is an important source of information for the social domains mentioned above, such as policy, legislation, taxation and investments. It is because this data is used to follow developments, to uncover connections and to show patterns.

More so, in IoE, the goal is to get to a better understanding of air quality and environmental effects of human activities. With more measurement points, you get a finer grid with better data for research, the discovery of patterns and predictions with AI like IBM Watson.

Detailed datasets, in combination with for instance weather data, traffic data, freight ship docking data, can reveal opportunities to schedule these processes differently to reduce the negative impacts on people living in the area.

A bevvy of technologies

What is interesting to see is the use of a multitude of technologies in this one sensor. By combining IoT, blockchain, Ai and others, the sensor provides data that can be stored, correlated, and correctly read to provide a plethora of answers.

The sensor on IBM’s HQ is connected to an encrypted LoRa server that sends JSON data. With the Internet of Environments, V-ID will be linking these and other sensors to IBM Watson. V-ID provides the mechanism to certify that the sensor data originates from a trusted source and data bundles are verifiable. In this way, they ensure a scalable setup to allow for growth once successful.

Marnix van den Berg, Founder V-ID, explained: “More and more devices send data, often forming the basis for important decisions. IoE provides an ecosystem where IoT sensors can emit data along with a proof of data origin and creation time. In addition, Blockchain validated reports are generated with which data changes into authentic and comprehensible information.”

Monique van Maare, Social Business expert at IBM, added: “Combining Blockchain, IoT and predictive analytics will be key to enabling circular economy value chains.”