SOIL introduces Griot. Ubiquitous democratized connectivity for the internet of things.
ATLANTA, GA — Atlanta startup SOIL announced the launch of Griot, its revolutionary IoT hardware-software platform that enlists nanosatellites in low-earth orbit to deliver cutting-edge internet access to all places — even those at the edge of the world. The system is slated for nationwide commercial release by Q4 2020.
Internet connectivity is critical to overcoming barriers, but four billion people — about 52% of the world’s population — do not have access to it due to geographical restrictions or lack of infrastructure. For these reasons, solutions that utilize terrestrial connections such as cellular, WiFi, and Bluetooth technology have seen limited success in bridging the digital divide.
By using nanosatellites to provide total planetary coverage, however, the Griot platform can provide truly wireless, last-mile connectivity to even the most remote areas, allowing them to finally reap the benefits of IoT.
For instance, far-flung agricultural communities can use Griot-powered systems to monitor soil conditions or keep track of limited resources such as water and electricity, so these can be used more efficiently. The platform can also aid in disaster response ensuring that connectivity remains available, even in places where calamities have compromised internet access. Nature conservation — especially in the world’s fast-dwindling forests — stands to benefit from IoT and monitor animal migration patterns and deforestation rates.
While Griot was conceived with development and sustainability in mind, it can also help cities operate smarter and more efficiently. By collecting and broadcasting accurate traffic data for buses and trains, IoT can make public transportation safer and more convenient. With unhindered connectivity, more informational kiosks can be placed around a city, making it easier for locals and tourists to access information at any time. IoT can even help businesses, as IoT-powered delivery drones can fast-track order fulfillment.
Scalability was a priority for SOIL during the development of Griot. That’s why its hardware, called the Griot X AI-IoT gateway, is modular in design. While boasting cutting-edge technology, the device measures just 10x10x2 inches and weighs only 3 pounds.
Users can control the Griot X AI-IoT gateway and monitor data through a mobile or web app. The dashboard gives a detailed view of essential information such as device state, transmitted data, and access tokens, among others. The platform also uses a powerful AI-at-the-edge engine that enables machine learning.
SOIL says that providing a hardware-software solution removes the need for data processing to happen in the cloud, and so brings control back to the device.
That said, the company emphasizes the importance of data security. All information transmitted on the Griot platform is encrypted by a Blockchain-like, distributed ledger technology. Doing so means data is validated and cross-referenced by multiple devices simultaneously to protect it from hackers.
According to SOIL Founder & CEO Kenyon Hall: “At SOIL, our mission is to bridge the gap to a sustainable future. By combining cleantech and IoT, we hope to enable power and connectivity everywhere. With our new Griot connectivity platform, we will also be uniquely positioned to enable decentralized connectivity anywhere on the globe in both polar and equatorial regions.”
For more information about SOIL’s Griot IoT platform, visit:
ABOUT SOIL:
SOIL combines cleantech and IoT to produce products for on and off-grid consumers with the main focus of bringing power and connectivity everywhere. SOIL is headquartered in Atlanta, GA,
